Janice "Jan" Mae Brown

Janice “Jan” Mae (Nagel) Brown, 80, entered her eternal rest on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center surrounded by her family.
She was born Feb. 5, 1942, in Adams Township, the youngest child of Edward and Mae (Rowe) Nagel. She married Theodore C. Brown Jr. on Nov. 21, 1959, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, the Ridge. They put down roots on a farm in Defiance Township where they reared seven children and raised crops and livestock.
A woman of many talents, Jan was a homemaker, farm wife and so much more. Through the years she catered events, decorated cakes, worked with 4-H youth, taught herself about nutrition/homeopathy, shared her love of the LORD and supported her favorite ministries. 
Her passion was her flowers. She enjoyed raising a wide variety but was keen on day lilies and irises. She experimented with cross-pollination of the lilies. She raised irises to show and sell at events of Northeastern Indiana Iris Society of which she was a member. She generously shared her plants and many of the starts grace flowerbeds in northwest Ohio and beyond. 
Jan is sadly missed by her daughters, Denise (Mike) Gebers of Cecil, Carol (Kevin) Murray and Linda (Ed) Hammersmith, both of Defiance, Kathey (Mike) Niblett of Elmore City, Oklahoma.; and sons, Ted (Kelly) Brown III of Stryker, Matt (Julie) Brown of Defiance and Ben (Danielle) Brown of Holland, Ohio.
Also surviving are nine grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, eight step-great grandchildren; a sister Jean Zimmerman of Defiance; sisters-in-law Barb (John) Mack of Defiance and Darlene Brown of Okeechobee, Florida and a brother-in-law Arnold (Nancy) Brown of Ney; plus a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three brothers, Ray, Bob and Paul Nagel; three brothers-in-law Ed Zimmerman, Rogel Brown and Ronald “Buzz” Brown; sisters-in-law Lois (Singer) Nagel, Barbara (Lavens) Brown and Nancy (Lemons) Brown; a step-grandson Lt. David Murray and three nieces. 
Schaffer Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. 
Visitation and a memorial service will be held Saturday, June 18 at Believers Church International, 1600 Ayersville Ave., Defiance. Half-hour visitation begins at 11 am with the service immediately following. Apostle O. Michael Smith and Minister Bill Purdue will officiate. 
Memorial donations are requested for Operation Blessing, Defiance County 4-H or a charity of the donor’s choice. 

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