Janet S. Severns, 74, of Rochester, passed away at 9:19 A.M. Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
She was born on July 18, 1951 in Warsaw, Indiana, the daughter of Curtis and Dorothy (Cotner) Bookwalter. She graduated from Logansport High School in 1970. On August 30, 1969 in Logansport, Indiana, she married Ronald McMillen, with this union producing two children, Wendy and Jason. She later married Gary A. Severns on February 22, 1992 in Rochester, Indiana, gaining two more daughters, Kristina and Jennifer.
An independent and hard worker, Janet started working young to help her mother out, including jobs at the B & K, 3D, Hooks Drugs, Dr. Graf Optometry, Western Southern Life, True Fast and Cardinal Center. In her journey through life, she enjoyed hobbies such as crocheting, needlepoint, ceramics, painting, flowers, houseplants, collecting mugs, baskets and knick- knacks. Even though she lost partial eyesight at age 55, she always knew where items should be and if they had been relocated. She enjoyed making baby blankets for everyone. Always one to enjoy board games and card games such as skip-bo, solitaire, rummy, nerts and of course slap jacks with her grandchildren when they were young. Just recently, her sister taught her the card game of garbage and she played that with Sandy and Wendy. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, they all made her smile and she was very proud of her children and grandchildren. She always decked the halls for Christmas and the Holidays. Traveling was another enjoyable part of her life. She loved her trips with Gary to Germany and Hawaii. She was fortunate to travel this year to Florida and Hawaii with family.
Survivors include her children, Wendy (Todd) Scobie, Rochester, Indiana, Jason (Jodi) McMillen, Logansport, Indiana, Kristina (Phil) Drubert, Rochester, Indiana, Jennifer (Mike) Abair, Washington, Michigan, fifteen grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, sisters, Patricia Dyer, Logansport, Indiana, Sandy (Tom) Raisor, Logansport, Indiana, brothers-in-laws, Dan Severns, Akron, Indiana, Terry Severns, Rochester, Indiana, sister-in-law, Linda Heighway, Akron, Indiana, several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Gary Severns on November 11, 2024.
Memorial services will be conducted at 5:00 P.M. Monday, August 25, 2025 at Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester, Indiana.
Friends may visit from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday, August 25, 2025 at the funeral home.
Interment will take place at a late date at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Rochester, Indiana.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.zimmermanbrosfh.com .
