Janet Lee Middlebrook, 61 , of Columbia City, died at 1:50 p.m. Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne, where she was admitted on Friday.

Born on August 13, 1960, in Orlando, Florida, she was the daughter of Ray and Beverly (King) Slemp. Growing up in Columbia City, she graduated from Columbia City Joint High School in 1978. Continuing her education, she earned an Associates' Degree at Ivy Tech in Fort Wayne, becoming a paralegal.

For 12 years, she worked for Dana/ CF Goma in Columbia City.  After the plant closed, she worked at Walmart, Columbia City, where she had five years of service.

Grandchildren were her pride and joy. Attending their events and having them for a sleepover at Nana's gave her such pleasure. She enjoyed Disney movies and the Hallmark Channel. When she couldn't get to the ocean, she spent as much time as possible poolside listening to music and soaking up the sun.

Thrilled by a game of chance, she often played BINGO, bought scratch-off tickets, or visited casinos to try her luck.

Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday as she loved to cook for her extended family and enjoyed their company, often winning the after-dinner euchre games.

She found the greatest joy in buying Christmas presents throughout the year and saving them to surprise her grandchildren with a mountain of gifts for each. She used her talents to crochet blankets that were gifted to family and friends.

Surviving are her children, Jamie L. Warner of Fort Wayne, Jennifer (Cory) Patrick of Larwill and Brenton Litherland of Chicago, IL; ten grandchildren; her father Ray Slemp of Fort Smith, Arkansas and mother Beverly Chaney of Columbia City; a sister Shirley (Tom) Pence of Wabash; a brother James (Christy) Slemp of Sarasota, FL; niece, Hayley Pence of Fort Wayne; and many cousins and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandmother Myrtle Engle.

The funeral service is 4:00 p.m. Sunday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Visitation is from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to the Humane Society of Whitley County.