Janet F. Puchlak-Smith

LEXINGTON- Janet Fay Puchlak-Smith, age 81, a resident of Lexington, Michigan passed away on Friday, July 11, 2025.
She was born on February 28, 1944 in Port Huron, a daughter of the late Gordon and Lorene (Richardson) Bechtel.
Janet worked all of her life as a secretary, starting out as a Legal Secretary, worked at General Motors, Bindicator, Prestolite and the last 22 years as Secretary to the Director of Sanilac Couty Department of Social Services. Janet retired in 2000. Janet was a graduate of Yale High School, the Class of 1962. She enjoyed playing music jamborees in the United States and Canada, along with her late husband, Harold Smith. She attended The Huron Pioneer Steam Show every year in Blyth, Ontario. Janet also performed as "Clover" The Clown, and was part of the "Happy Handful" musical group that went around to area nursing homes and the Medical Care Facility making music and bring smiles and happiness.
She is survived by her son, Michael (Kathleen) Puchlak; step children Brenda (Ron) Dawson and Dawn (Gary) Miller; brother, Gerald Bechtel and sister, Judith Walker; special friend, John Balog from Canada; several cousins, several nieces and nephews; also several step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren;
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Smith, her parents Gordon and Lorene Bechtel; her stepson, Alan Smith and her brother, Gordon Bechtel, Jr.
Visitation will be from 2-6 P.M. on Tuesday at the Pomeroy Funeral Home in Lexington. Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M.. on Wednesday, with visiting from 10-11 A.M. at the funeral home. Rev. Patty Olds of the Applegate Methodist Church will officate.
Pallbearers will be, Bob Bechtel, Mark Bechtel, Jim Bechtel, Crystal Jones, Don Pensyl and Christian Ferris.
Interment will follow in the Croswell Cemetery.