Janice Schmidt

ARTHUR - Janice Ann (Apple) Schmidt, 80, of Robinson, formerly of Arthur, passed away peacefully at 7:14 a.m. Saturday (Oct. 25, 2025) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. 

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Edwards Funeral Home, 221 E. Main St., Arcola. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. The Rev. Alex Hack will officiate. Burial will follow in Arthur Cemetery.

Janice was born on June 28, 1945, in Salem, Ohio, the daughter of William and Edith (Clapsaddle) Apple. She graduated from David Anderson High School in Lisbon, Ohio, with the Class of 1963, where she served as salutatorian. On June 22, 1963, she married her high school sweetheart, Charles Kent Schmidt, in Lisbon, Ohio. They shared nearly 59 years together before his passing on May 16, 2022.

Janice and Kent began their married life in Arizona before returning to Lisbon to start their family. They welcomed four children - Melissa Kay, Michael Kent, Melinda Kristyne and Michele Kendra - and later moved to Arthur, where they made their home for many years.

Janice worked as a bookkeeper for Dr. Platzbecker in Arthur and later in patient accounts for Christie Clinic in Champaign. Always dedicated and tireless, she was a dependable and loyal employee. She also waitressed evenings and weekends at local establishments, including The Old Heidelberg Steakhouse and The Steakhouse Bar in Pesotum. Her strong work ethic, intelligence and warmth left a lasting impression on everyone she worked with and cared for.

Janice was a woman of many talents and simple joys. She was a skilled seamstress, sewing clothes for her children when they were young and later creating costumes for her grandchildren, along with beautiful embroidery and needlepoint crafts. She was an excellent cook who loved preparing meals that brought family together. She especially loved Christmas, often keeping her tree up year-round to enjoy its sparkle and warmth. Janice also loved spending time at the campground. Faith was an important part of Janice's life. She was an active member of her church, where she took her turn preparing communion and was always willing to help with church events.

She was very smart, kind and always a lady of grace and class - loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Even during her hospital stay, the nurse technician shared that Janice was "the floor favorite." She was deeply adored by the caregivers who assisted in her home care during the past two years, each touched by her gentle spirit and humor.

In her later years, after moving to Robinson to be cared for by family, Janice found special joy in the visits from her great-grandchildren, whose smiles and personalities brightened her days.

Janice is survived by her children Michael (Candy) Schmidt of Robinson, Melinda Schmidt of Arthur, and Michele (Chad) Brown of Robinson; seven grandchildren, Stephen Romine, Jameson (Kristen) Dycus, Cassidy Dycus (Kody Beck), Jessica (Dalles) McGovern, Kody (Kirsten Corum) Kornwald, Brady (Kylee) Brown and Alex (Samantha) Brown; five stepgrandchildren, Jordan (Karley) Rector, Jasmine Crane (Dale Bonelli), Joleena Crane, Derrick Ledbetter and Darin Ledbetter; and 11 great-grandchildren, Heidi, Marlei, Sophia, Tynley, Willow, Mia, Ford, Colton, Rowan, baby Rector and baby Dycus on the way. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Kent Schmidt; daughter Melissa Kay (Schmidt) Dycus; parents, William and Edith Apple; and siblings, Bill Apple, Kenneth Apple, Frank Apple, Irene (Apple) Herman and June (Apple) Steitz.

Janice will be remembered for her resilience, compassion, humor, intelligence, creativity and unwavering love for her family. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the laughter she shared, and the love she so freely gave.