Obituary of Janice Schnichels

Janice Schnichels was born on May 27, 1942 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to Henry and Helen Ehlers. She was translated to glory on October 20, 2023 in Rockledge, Florida. She completed primary school and graduated from high school in Sheboygan, and went on to complete a degree in nursing, although she was never able to work as a nurse due to damage to her heart from Rheumatic fever which she contracted at the age of 12 years. She worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield for several years.

In1967, she and her first husband, John Arnold, and daughter Deborah Jean, relocated to Orlando, Florida, where in 1968, she gave birth to daughter Danielle Susanne. Though her marriage with John concluded, love found its way back to Janice when she tied the knot with George Schnichels in 1986. Their bond lasted 32 cherished years until George's departure in 2018.

Janice worked in the retail industry for many years and in many different capacities, from clerical positions to Human Resources, and eventually became a manager for Jefferson Ward. She and George relocated to St. Augustine where she obtained a clerical position with Luhrs Mainship, where she worked until she embarked on a well-earned retirement.

Jan’s hobbies included cooking, baking, gardening, and needlecrafts, and entertaining family and friends. She could be seen at any time crocheting, knitting, embroidering or sewing and provided beautifully handmade gifts to family and friends on many occasions through out the years, including crocheting doilies for all of the tables at her daughters’ wedding reception, and tennis racquet covers for the entire girls’ tennis team at Cocoa High school. She made many dozens of Christmas cookies and treats each year. She baked for Bake Sales for March of Dimes, church activities and other events.

Jan was a prolific writer of cards and letters to her family and friends, especially if they were ill or otherwise isolated from others.

She was very involved in her daughters’ activities, being a band parent, working the concession stands at football games and supporting other activities as needed.

Janice was a devoted lifetime member of the Lutheran Church and served in several capacities and in several congregations over the years, in Wisconsin, St. Augustine, Florida and here in Brevard County, Trinity Lutheran and Faith Viera Lutheran Church. She participated in many different groups, such as LWML, Lydia Circle, the hand bell choir, vocal choir, and other groups. She sewed and embroidered alter cloths and banners for the church. She attended Sunday services and Bible Study on a routine basis, and was involved in other committees in her church network.

She is predeceased by her father and mother (Henry and Helen Ehlers), her sister Karen Joosse, and husband George.

Survivors include her daughters Deborah (Marc) Stewart of Merritt Island, Danielle (Patrick) Paquette of Melbourne, 7 grandchildren, and 2 nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 11th at 11:00a.m. at Faith Viera Lutheran Church 5550 Faith Dr, Rockledge, FL 32955. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran World Relief.