Jan Distl of Lexington passed away Thursday, August 1, 2024, at Brethren Care Village Nursing Center at the age of 87. Born Jeannette Joan Baltrusaitis on June 20, 1937, in Newcomerstown, Ohio, she was the only child of the late Joseph and Mable (Brown) Baltrusaitis and was raised in Sharon Center, Ohio. Jan played the piano and clarinet and was a majorette during high school. She graduated from Highland High School with the Class of 1955. Jan attended Kent State University and met her future husband, Dan Distl, through mutual friends, and had their first date on February 22, 1956. They never looked back and were married on August 25, 1957, in Granger, Ohio, and settled in Mansfield.

In addition to being a homemaker, Jan worked at Shelby Depot, Westinghouse, and Distl Meats before returning to school. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from Ashland College. She began her 25-year teaching career at the age of 50 at Eastern Elementary School in Lexington. Jan held her students close to her heart. While teaching, she was a cheerleading advisor for the high school. Jan was a longtime member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church where she volunteered in several capacities. She was a member of Altrusa Club in Mansfield.

Jan had a green thumb and loved flowers. She enjoyed planting her landscape and tending to her indoor plants with care. An important facet of her life was volunteering with the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program. In her 40+ years of volunteering, she hosted many contestants, welcoming them into her home. She had a passion for animals and regularly fed the deer and birds who frequented her home. She had a special place in her heart for dogs—especially Rottweilers and Golden Retrievers. Jan was a member of GRIN (Golden Retrievers in Need Rescue Service, Inc.), volunteered and adopted many remarkable canines into her family.

Beyond all of this, Jan fiercely loved her family. Time spent with her husband, daughters, grandchildren, family, and friends were precious to her. The memories they created will be cherished for a lifetime.

Jan is survived by her husband of nearly 67 years, Dan Distl; daughters, Susan Distl and Julie (Damon) Gerosa; three grandchildren, Madeline, John and Jude Gerosa; a sister-in-law, Judy (Bob) Weinandy; four nephews, Tim (Penny), Ted (Andie), Todd (Annette) Edmond and Curt Fox and their families; many cousins; and dear friends: The Harlans, The Boatmans, and Debbi Watkins.

The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 525 W. Cook Road, Mansfield. The funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Kathy Pennington officiating. She will be laid to rest in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church columbarium. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or GRIN (grinrescue.org).

Thank you to the special and most compassionate staff at Gentiva Hospice and Brethren Care Village who were godsends to Jan and her family.

Words of condolence may be expressed at www.wappner.com

Funeral Home: Wappner Funeral Directors-Ontario

Website: www.wappner.com