Janice “Grammy” Janet (Mehlhaff) Finley, age 85, of Greenfield, Indiana, passed away on September 11, 2019 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis surrounded by her loving family.
Janice was born to the late Arthur and Elizabeth Mehlhaff in South Dakota on August 27, 1934. She attended Eureka High School where she sang in the choir. During high school, she met Robert Finley, who she married in 1951. Beginning their long journey as adoring husband and devoted wife, they moved to Indiana and were blessed with three daughters.
Janice decided early that she would be a working mom and began working in the factory at RCA in Indianapolis. She advanced to office staff and retired after 40 years. During vacation time from work, she and Bob took the girls on adventures in their personal plane, which she co-piloted. They all enjoyed the extra special memories made when they traveled.
Janice became “Grammy” in 1978. A quick learner, she figured out right away how to hold a special place in each grandchild’s heart. She did the same with each great-grandchild who blessed her life. She was very proud to let everyone know the number of grandkids and “greats” that she and Bob had and would always share their accomplishments.
Throughout her life, she was very active, to say the least. It is believed that only in the last two months of her life, she actually sat still. Her energy, creativity, and attention to detail lead to bringing so much joy to her family and friends through things she made or skills she was happy to teach them. Her talents included quilting, painting, ceramics, sewing, crocheting, gardening, cooking soul-warming meals, and making beautiful, delicious desserts. Her family will be eternally grateful for her expressions of love and care.
She and Bob were faithful members of Shiloh Christian Church where they regularly attended service and bible study and always looked forward to their chicken noodle dinners. They square danced with the Riley Wranglers of Greenfield for 50 years, ending in 2013. Throughout the years, they also made time to go to special events where family members were performing or playing in a game, were a part of so many grandparent days, and hosted countless holiday gatherings.
Left to cherish Grammy’s memory and miss her tremendously are her husband of 68 years, Robert “Bob” Finley of Greenfield; her daughters, Gayle (Bob) Amedeo of Slidell, LA, Pamela (Steve) Maki of Brownsburg, IN, and Sandra Dobbs of Rushville, IN; her uncle, George (Stella) Knapp; sisters, Betty Miller, Peggy (Melvin) Bergh, and her brother, Jerry (Terry) Mehlhaff; ten grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at Shiloh Christian Church, 4980 S 500E, Greenfield, IN 46140. A funeral service will follow at 3:00 p.m. Burial will immediately follow the funeral service at Asbury Cemetery in Morristown, IN.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shiloh Christian Church at the above address.
Betty (Mehlhaff) Miller says
God’s Love & Blessings to Gayle, Pam, Sandy and Brother inlaw Bob. I will truly miss calling my sister, just to talk and hear about her great grandchildren, that she talked about and was always telling me what was going on in their lives. Praise the Lord now, that she is HOME with the Lord and at Rest.
George and Estella Knapp says
To Bob, Gayle, Pam and Sandy.
May God be with you all at this time.
Our thanks for Janice and Bob for taking us in after our marriage and move to Indiana. They helped us get established in Greenfield.
Janice was a gracious lady caring for her family in many ways. May she Rest In Peace.
Only living, Uncle George
Cynthia Stein says
Our prayers to you all from the Gregory Kramer family in South Dakota. Bob’s mother, Esther, was our mother, Minnie’s, sister.
I fondly remember Bob and Janice and the girls coming to visit us in Bowdle, SD. Eureka, where Janice was from, was just north of Bowdle about 20 some miles.
It was really fun hanging out with Gail, Pam and Sandy… showing them our town.
I remember getting some dolls that Janice had made for my daughter! So creative and special!
We last saw Bob and Janice in May of 2018 while attending our sister Jeri Kinney-Graves’ funeral. I am so thankful we were able to see them!
God Bless you and Keep you as you keep your precious memories of Janice close to your hearts! We will be with you in prayer as you honor and celebrate her life!
Cynthia(Kramer)Stein-Gedstad and family
Carole Jean(Kramer) and John Stefanich and family
David and Patricia Kramer and family
And the family of sister Jeri (Kramer) Graves and family of Donald Kramer (deceased).
Jerry Mehlhaff says
May god bless the Finley family and all their grandchildren and great grandchildren
the memories of Janice and Bob will be with me the rest of my life with love from Jerry and Terry Mehlhaff
Susan Finley Doyle says
I am Bill Finley’s daughter, Susie Doyle. My Dad is Bob’s older brother. Even though Bob and Janice did not live close by, we saw their family every year while we were growing up. I have wonderful memories of the whole family. Janice was always young, stylist and fun. She loved crafts and shopping and cooking. She will be missed by all of us and it feels too soon for her to be gone. A special thank you to Megan who has kept me informed.
Sending prayers and hugs to Bob, Gayle, Pam, Sandy.