Janice M. (Snavley) Schroeder, age 88, of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at Mercy Hospital of Defiance.

She was born on October 12, 1938 to the late Doyle and Doris (Font) Snavley in Grover Hill, Ohio. She was the second born of seven children and was a 1957 graduate of Paulding High School. She met the love of her life, Joseph W. Schroeder Jr. in March, 1958, and they were married on September 12, 1958. Joseph preceded her in death on March 25, 2005.

Janice attended First Church of God and spent many years as a Sunday Morning children bible school teacher. One of her proudest moments was when she sang the Hallelujah Chorus during a Christmas Morning service. She believed in the power of prayer and thanked the Lord for all her many blessings, her family, and friends. Janice had a love of service and was the President of the Defiance Diabetic Club at the Defiance Hospital, striving to find a cure for diabetes.

Janice had a passion and love for gardening and spent countless hours working in her gardens. She loved to visit well-known historical gardens across the country, and traveled to Europe to visit the gardens of England, France and Italy. She also enjoyed sending birthday cards to family and friends, listing inside the card her top ten reasons why you are so great, along with a one dollar bill. She would plant surprise spring flowers in everyone's flower beds and give a rose to those she loved as gifts.

She loved to play cards with family and friends, and giggling with her two favorite cousins, Mary Ann Ankney and Shirley Kramer. Janice was an avid fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Indians, and Defiance Bulldogs. She treasured the time spent with the Eastern Indiana, Southern Michigan and Ohio Iris Club, and she loved camping at East Harbor State Park, enjoying Lake Erie with her family. Janice was incredibly proud of her children and grandchildren, and will be sadly missed by everyone that loved her.

Janice is survived by her loving children; Carol (Steve) Burgei of Ottawa, OH, Robert (Donna Hursey) Schroeder of Columbia City, IN, Gregory (Amy Koch) Schroeder of Defiance, Kimberly (Joseph) Slattman of Defiance, and Julie (Jessie) Otto of Defiance, her brother Bruce (Carolyn) Snavley of Ottawa, OH, fourteen grandchildren; Joseph Burgei, Laura Burgei Rieke, Joseph Schroeder, Brian Schroeder, Sarah Schroeder, Methias Koch, Kaitlyn Barns, Jacob Geckle, McKalynn Schroeder Hawkins, Elliana Otto, Ericka Slattman, Brooke Slattman, Breanna Slattman, and Brittany Slattman, and eleven great-grandchildren; Autumn Schroeder, Eli Schroeder, Jager Burgei, Mia Burgei, Gabriellia Burgei, Olivia Burgei, Zachery Rieke, Dexter Rieke, Sunny Barns, Violet Barns, and Bentley Wagner, and one great-great-grandchild on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Joseph Schroeder Jr., her siblings; Bernard Snavley, Joyce Snavley, Judy Clementz, Susie Snavley, and Doyle Snavley, Jr., great-grandson Jager Burgei, and her favorite cousins, Shirley Kramer and Mary Ann Ankney.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 from 4:00 PM-8:00 PM at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 11th at the funeral home, with Celebrant Tori Hope Petersen officiating. Janice will be laid to rest in Riverview Memory Gardens.

Memorials are suggested to Defiance Senior Center, or to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Jenny Mullins and April Moore for their loving care and support, and to Mr. Al for your friendship and porch talks.