Janice Kathleen Carpenter

Janice Kathleen Carpenter 1949-2026

Janice Kathleen Carpenter (formerly Melton), 77, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2026. Born June 24, 1949, in South Bend, Indiana, Jan was the 4th of 6 children born to Reginald and Mildred Carpenter.

Always at home surrounded by nature, Jan and her family spent most of their summers at Birch Lake in Vandalia, Michigan, in the cottage built by Reg and his brothers. In 1967, Jan graduated from John Adams High School then packed up to move to San Francisco with friends in a Volkswagen bus.

Living up to her “Life is Good” motto, Jan returned to South Bend in the early 1970s and proceeded to enjoy every piece of life she could. New friends were found wherever she went, especially at Unity Church of Peace and in her crafting circles. Jan’s exceptional appreciation and expression of the everyday joys of daily life made lasting impressions on every soul who met her own.

Jan is survived by her husband, Michael Boehm, daughter Jessica (Melton) Jewell, beloved granddaughters Ramona and Mara, siblings Carolyn (Tom) Jewell, Nancy (Tom) Connelly, and Dick (Val) Carpenter, along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Reginald (Reggie) and William (Bill).

A Celebration of Life service will be followed by a reunion for friends and family outdoors in a local park. Jan’s wish was to be cremated, and her family welcomes all those she touched to write her personal notes to burn and scatter with her remains.