Janet Hammon Smeltz

Janet Hammon Smeltz, 90, of Trillium Place, Lancaster, PA, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 12, 2025. She was born in Quarryville, PA, to the late Clarence Milo Hammon and the late Ruth Rhoads Hammon and was the loving wife to the late Kenneth Eugene Smeltz. Ken and Janet were married 66 years.

Janet graduated from J.P. McCaskey High School in 1952. While in high school, Janet worked as a waitress at the Buchanan Luncheonette. After graduation, she was hired as a stenographer at the Armstrong Cork Company. She later worked for St. Joesph Hospital and Family Practice Associates of Lancaster before retiring from the Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1994. Janet also worked at the polls and is a member of the Voter Hall of Fame for having voted in over 50 consecutive general elections.

Janet lived most of her life in the Hamilton Park community. She was a member of Hamilton Park UCC where she taught Sunday School for 30 years. She was known for weaving palm crosses during the Easter holiday. Janet was very crafty and especially enjoyed knitting, having completed over 60 Christmas stockings for family and friends. She was an avid scrapbooker and had a passion for creating cards, writing poems, and decorating her home. She also enjoyed the theater. Her true love, however, was family. Janet hosted countless get-togethers to celebrate any occasion, taking the opportunity to cook favorite meals, bake favorite desserts, and cultivate the closeness that defines family. She was the Golden Rule personified.

Janet is survived by her three children, Kimberly Tyrrell (Robert) of Lancaster; Bruce Smeltz (Laura) of Lancaster; and Thomas Smeltz (Tamara) of Lancaster; five grandchildren, Abigail Swynenberg (Matt) of Bluegrass, IA; Matthew Smeltz (Jackie) of Hummelstown, PA; Brianna Smeltz of Lititz, PA; Emily Ransing (Joey) of East Petersburg, PA; and Thomas Guy Smeltz (Justine) of Media, PA; and 6 great-grandchildren, Payton, Decker and Forrest Swynenberg; Rowan Ransing; Ryan Wilson and MacKenzie Snyder; as well as her many loving nieces and nephews.

Janet and family extend their deep appreciation to the staffs of Hospice and Trillium Place for their care and support. Janet will be interred during a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Janet’s name to Hospice & Community Care, 685 Good Drive, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604, Tandem Living’s Benevolent Care, 2001 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601, and/or Hamilton Park UCC, 1210 Maple Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603. To leave an online condolence, please visit DeBordSnyder.com.