In Memory Of
Janice Smerchek Wilkes
1946
2018
Janice Smerchek Wilkes
August 1, 1946 — March 30, 2018
Janice (Jan) Smerchek Wilkes, 71, passed away on March 30, 2018, at The House at Midland Care in Topeka, KS.
Jan was born August 1, 1946, in Garden City, KS to Milan William Smerchek and Kathleen Floy Wilkie. She moved with her parents to the family farm located at 61st and Wanamaker in Shawnee County at the age of two. As a youth, she was very involved with 4-H.
She graduated from Washburn Rural High School in 1964 and attended the University of Kansas for two years, majoring in occupational therapy. There she met her future husband, Donald Philip ("Phil") Wilkes. They were married on June 12, 1966, at the First Congregational Church in Topeka, and subsequently sealed for eternity on July 17, 1973, in the LDS Provo Utah Temple.
Jan was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 48 years and held numerous leadership, teaching and music positions. She also served on the WRHS Alumni Board.
Jan was a lifelong family historian and helped many others research their ancestry. She was an avid gardener, growing flowers, vegetables and herbs in the raised beds in her yard.
She is survived by her husband and their six children: Laura, Sarah, Becky (Tony), Emily, Daniel and Allison (Malachi). She is also survived by her brother Dana (Becky) Smerchek and uncle Richard (Marie) Smerchek, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents.
At her request, Jan will be cremated and her ashes will be buried later at the Czech-Moravian Cemetery south of Blue Rapids, KS.
A memorial service will be held at 10 am on Wednesday, April 4, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2401 Kingsrow Road, Topeka. The family will greet friends after the service.
Jan has requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in her name to the Blue Rapids Museum, 36 Public Square, Blue Rapids, KS 66411.
Dove Cremations & Funerals, Southwest Chapel is assisting with arrangements.
To leave a special message for the family online, visit the guestbook below.
Jan was born August 1, 1946, in Garden City, KS to Milan William Smerchek and Kathleen Floy Wilkie. She moved with her parents to the family farm located at 61st and Wanamaker in Shawnee County at the age of two. As a youth, she was very involved with 4-H.
She graduated from Washburn Rural High School in 1964 and attended the University of Kansas for two years, majoring in occupational therapy. There she met her future husband, Donald Philip ("Phil") Wilkes. They were married on June 12, 1966, at the First Congregational Church in Topeka, and subsequently sealed for eternity on July 17, 1973, in the LDS Provo Utah Temple.
Jan was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 48 years and held numerous leadership, teaching and music positions. She also served on the WRHS Alumni Board.
Jan was a lifelong family historian and helped many others research their ancestry. She was an avid gardener, growing flowers, vegetables and herbs in the raised beds in her yard.
She is survived by her husband and their six children: Laura, Sarah, Becky (Tony), Emily, Daniel and Allison (Malachi). She is also survived by her brother Dana (Becky) Smerchek and uncle Richard (Marie) Smerchek, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents.
At her request, Jan will be cremated and her ashes will be buried later at the Czech-Moravian Cemetery south of Blue Rapids, KS.
A memorial service will be held at 10 am on Wednesday, April 4, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2401 Kingsrow Road, Topeka. The family will greet friends after the service.
Jan has requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in her name to the Blue Rapids Museum, 36 Public Square, Blue Rapids, KS 66411.
Dove Cremations & Funerals, Southwest Chapel is assisting with arrangements.
To leave a special message for the family online, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Janice Smerchek Wilkes, please visit our flower store.
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