Janet N. Pecht, 95, of Centre Hall, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 6, 2021, at the Mount Nittany Medical Center. Born on July 31, 1926, in Centre Hall, she was the daughter of the late Elmer and Anna Mary (Smith) Runkle. On June 15, 1944, she married Charles E. Pecht, who preceded her in death in May 2011, just shy of their 67th anniversary.
Janet was a graduate of Centre Hall Potter High School. During high school, she participated in the band and was invited to go to Washington D.C. and she played on the basketball team which had won the championship. After graduation, she worked at Sylvania in Lock Haven. She later babysat many children and started cleaning the First National Bank in Centre Hall. She continued to clean for them after transitioning to Northwest Bank until they moved onto Earlystown Road. She had taken care of that facility for over 40 years. It started with her mother; they were the only family to clean for that bank while located on Pennsylvania Ave in Centre Hall.
Janet was a member of the St. Luke Lutheran Church in Centre Hall. She enjoyed bowling on a woman’s league, doing crossword puzzles, and crocheting when her hands would permit. She was an avid reader and always enjoyed getting each new publication by Danielle Steele. She looked forward to the Centre Hall town wide yard sale each year because she loved to cook for everyone. She showed her love in many ways, but she would pour her heart and joy into items she would cook and bake and pass them out to people. Her lemon cake was a favorite to many. She loved everyone and would often say “love you, love everyone!” and she meant it. She was caring, always putting others needs ahead of her own, and constantly concerned with the well-being of others, especially her family. Her family meant the world to her and she was always asking how her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren were doing.
Janet is survived by one daughter, Patricia Homan and her husband, Ron, of Centre Hall; two sons, Kenneth Pecht of Coburn and Donald Pecht of Centre Hall; four grandchildren, Chris Homan (Melissa) of Millheim, Lori Rossman (Bill) of Spring Mills, Kenny Pecht (Billie) of Coburn, and Janice Bilger (Jim) of Coburn; nine great grandchildren, Jaimie Kelleher (Chris), Kodey Rossman, Kelsey Bjalme (Kody), Elizabeth Bressler (Kenton), Justin Pecht, Nathan Pecht, Nicholas Pecht, James Bilger (Kayla), and Josh Bilger; 11 great great grandchildren, Sophie and Isabel Kelleher, Kendall and Kenzie Bjalme, Kylie, Kaelynn, and Kennedy Bressler, Montana, Myah, and MaKenna Bilger, and Emma Bilger; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Along with her husband and parents, Janet was preceded in death by three brothers, Jay Runkle, Dean Runkle, and Ken Runkle and her sister, Sara Bradford. Janet was the last of her generation.
Following Janet’s wishes, there will be no services at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a later date and will be announced. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at the Reformed & Lutheran Cemetery in Centre Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her memory to Pets Come First, 2451 General Potter Hwy, Centre Hall, PA 16828 or to the HOPE Fund, PO Box 427, Centre Hall, PA 16828.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Inc, 228 S Pennsylvania Ave, PO Box 579, Centre Hall, PA 16828. An online guest book can be signed or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.