Janet M. Koschik

Janet Marilyn Koschik passed away on January 9, 2021 after a years-long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.  She was 90 years old.  She was born in Erie, PA on February 18, 1930 to Mary and Norman Rieger. 

She was a 1948 graduate of Strong Vincent High School in Erie, where she met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Alvin (Al/Bud) Louis Koschik Jr.  She was an excellent student, a proud majorette at Strong Vincent High School and enjoyed working at her father’s store in her spare time.  She later attended Penn State, and became a member of the Tri-Delta Sorority.  They were married in Erie in the fall of 1952, where they began a family.  Cathy was born in 1955 and David followed in 1958.

In 1960, the family followed a job opportunity to Ashtabula, OH, and Janet remained there for the rest of her days.  Her third child, John, was born in 1968 and the family was complete.  In the early days, she immersed herself in her kids’ activities, including PTA, Little League, music lessons, and band functions.  She worked for a number of years for Carlisle’s department store.  

Music is a large and important part of the Koschik family and Janet was no exception.  She played piano in her youth.  She joined the Covered Bridge Chapter of Sweet Adeline’s, a women’s barbershop chorus organization. She sang bass and performed with them for years, as well as taking on the role of chapter president for a time.  As any Sweet Adeline will tell you, it’s not all about the singing – Janet made lasting friendships there.  They loved to travel, sing, eat and drink – sometimes all at the same time. 

A big part of her life was spent enjoying a portion of her summers at Lake Chautauqua, NY where son David has a home.  It was a place where the entire family could gather to play games, go to concerts, enjoy great food, laugh and tell old stories, or just nap on the porch.  She looked forward to her visits each year.  An avid reader, she would sometimes have two or more books going at the same time.  She was a member of a book club, and she and her friends often traded favorite books.

Janet was an active and invaluable member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Ashtabula.  Messiah became her second home when her husband passed away in 2001.  She assisted with numerous church events, helping wherever she was asked, especially the food pantry.  She sang alto in the choir for many years, and enjoyed singing so much that she sometimes couldn’t help but add a “cha cha cha” under her breath and an impish grin at the end of a stirring hymn!

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Alan and Norman (Brub), and her husband, Al. 

She is survived by her children Cathy (Lupe), David (Izumi), and John (Julie), and 5 granddaughters, whom she loved dearly – Lina, Ellie, Abbie, Erin and Laura.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the friends who visited and provided transportation when she could no longer drive, to the caregivers from Comfort Keepers (including the fabulous Dee Massucci), who tended to Janet at home when she needed them, as well as to the staff at the Lantern of Saybrook, where she lived her final years.

Because of COVID restrictions, services will be attended by family only.  Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors and Crematory , 526 W. Prospect Rd. Ashtabula will be handling the burial.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Messiah Lutheran Church in Ashtabula.

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