Janet Lee Christopher

Janet Lee (Farrell) Christopher, 88, of Peru, Indiana passed away unexpectedly at her residence on Sunday, November 9, 2025. She was born in Lafayette, IN on August 5, 1937 the daughter of Donald and Helen Farrell of Oxford, IN. Janet graduated from Otterbein High School and worked at Oxford Drug prior to marriage to William J. Christopher (deceased) in Oxford, IN on February 7, 1957.

As a child she was precocious and enjoyed school. She often told stories of her favorite pet cats and a chicken named Carrot she raised to an ornery rooster. She had many friends in high school and attended the Otterbein High School alumni meetings up until this summer when she was the oldest graduate present.

After her marriage, she and Bill traveled to Prudential Insurance conferences throughout the United States. She loved to tell a story about riding in the elevator with actor Lloyd Bridges at the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach. While her children were young, Jan was a full-time wife and mother. She sewed their clothes, refinished furniture, and created a home for her family. After the kids were in high school, she worked as a teacher’s aide at Peru High school for several years teaching math, reading, and life skills.

After her husband passed, she spent several of the winter months each year in Florida with her son enjoying the balmy weather and his company. She could talk to anyone and made friends readily in her part-time home there. Jan was very active, an avid bargain shopper, and enjoyed water aerobics at the YMCA several times a week. She used her shopping/thrifting skills to provide for her family, local friends, and even carried items south for friends there.

Jan and Bill have 3 children that survive her, a son Kerry Christopher of Navarre, FL, and her daughters Gayle Christopher of Leeds, AL, and Blythe Christopher of Austin, TX, and a granddaughter Elena DeOrive, of College Station, TX.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm at McClain Funeral Home, 3500 W State Road 16, Denver, IN 46926. Visitation will be at the funeral home from Noon until 2:00 p.m. on the day of service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made through the funeral home to the Lighthouse Mission, Miami County YMCA, or the St. Vincent’s DePaul Society.