Janet Dennler

Steinmetz

Janet Dennler Steinmetz, 81, of West Harrison, Indiana, passed away on October 1, 2020.  A very affectionate, loving, generous and kind woman, Janet proved to be a huge influence in the lives of many, especially the young.

Born on October 4, 1938, Janet grew up in Colerain Township on a small farm.  As she grew, Janet took accordion lessons and Hank helped her Dad with his trucking business with the Enquirer. Consistent with her age, she could do everything from driving a truck to slaughtering chickens. She spent many nights and weekends in a truck with her brother, Roy, and sister, Jeanine, traveling all over Cincinnati delivering papers to the carriers.  After she graduated high school and was teaching music/accordion, she joined The Order of the Eastern Star – for which she was a member for 63 years.  During this time, she also met her husband, Hank.  Roy and Hank were in the Navy together on an aircraft carrier.  When the boys were discharged from the Navy, Hank would visit Roy at his childhood home.  After many urges from her Mom to "check out your brother's friend", she finally did just that -- and happily spent 58 years together, and married almost 57 years.

After they married, they lived in Colerain Township for 28 years, most of it on Stout Road. Janet taught music/accordion at Jack Frost Studios, and Dad worked for UPS during the week and for her Father on the weekends.  When their daughter, Barbara, came along, Janet became a stay-at-home wife and mom.  She taught Barbara the love of music, reading and sewing. Janet always had music playing in their home – everything from old country (Roy Acuff, etc.), bluegrass (Bill Monroe, etc.), showtunes and Christmas music to The Platters, Marty Robbins, Tom Jones, Nat King Cole and many, many more.  Her taste in music was eclectic at the very least, and she provided a great example of how music touches your soul and is truly colorblind.  Janet loved all the holidays, especially Christmas, and decorated their home accordingly for each event.  At Halloween, she was always in costume to hand out candy.  Their home was always filled with kids, either neighborhood kids, youth group members or Barbara's friends. She loved books, and taught her daughter to read before she entered school.  She was a talented seamstress, often surprising Barbara with outfits in the morning before school.  Janet loved to cook, and was a great scratch cook.  She always kept a spotless home. It was always said she would not be able to sleep if there were dishes in the sink.  Growing up in the 50's, Janet kept the mindset of never leaving the house without her hair fixed, makeup on, and dressed accordingly. During these years on Stout Road, the family attended Forest Dale Church of Christ, where she was a Youth Choir Director, adult choir member and Youth Group Leader.

Starting in the early 80's, Janet and Hank began traveling the U.S.  They've traveled to the West Coast, through the western states, and to various beaches.  Overall, Janet's favorite was the mountains.  The Great Smoky Mountains were very dear to her – being up in the mountains almost felt like a second home.

In the mid 80's, Hank and Janet moved to Bright/West Harrison, Indiana, where they currently live. They immediately formed amazing friendships with their church family and neighbors.  As members of First Church of Christ in Greendale, Janet and Hank established a widows' fellowship group, where they traveled to fun places, and made lasting friendships.

Janet leaves behind the love of her life, Hank, and beautiful daughter, Barbara (Scott) Kessling of Anderson Township, Ohio, brothers Roy (Carolyn) Dennler, Bill Dennler, sister Peggy (Jim) Smith, five grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Margaret (Williams) and Harvey Dennler, brother Robert Dennler, and sister Jeannine (Charles) Mullenix.

Visitation for Janet will be on Tuesday, October 6 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, with a funeral service at 12:00 pm, both at Greendale Church of Christ, 421 Ridge Avenue, Lawrenceburg, Indiana 47025.  Interment will immediately follow at Gibson Cemetery, inner mausoleum, at 24001 State Line Road, Lawrenceburg, Indiana 47025.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Janet's honor can be made to the Ronald McDonald House (RMH).  Please reference the donation site on Facebook (In honor of Janet Dennler Steinmetz), send checks to Barbara Steinmetz Kessling (2042 Berrypatch Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244) or donation envelopes will be available at the services at Greendale Church.

To offer online condolences, please visit www.andres-wuestefeldfh.com .

In compliance with the Governor's mandate, social distancing should be observed, and masks should be worn.