Janice Marie Holmes, 81, of Ashland, passed away Monday evening, May 21, 2018 at Kingston of Ashland.

Mrs. Holmes was born March 7, 1937 in Wayne County to the late Claire and Clara (Schaum) Kratzer and was a graduate of Northwestern High School.

On August 31, 1957 Janice was married to W. Allen (Al) Holmes. They started their family and Janice became a stay at home mother until her children were raised. She then went to work as a receptionist and worked in several different office environments.

She attended the Southview Grace Brethren Church in Ashland and was a former member of the West Salem Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She also was a volunteer at Camp Broken Arrow, a camp for deaf children. Her hobbies included sewing, knitting, gardening and reading and being with her family.

After 53 years of marriage her loving husband, AL, passed away on February 23, 2011. She is survived by her children, Deborah (Daryl) Sprau of Carey, OH; Steve (Barbara) Holmes of LaRue, OH; and Richard (Leigh Anne) Holmes of Ashland; 7 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and one sister-in-law, Judy McQuate of Ashland.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband W. Allen (Al) Holmes, a daughter, Jennifer Kelley, and three brothers, Bill, Wayne and Vernon Kratzer.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 25, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. from the Southview Grace Brethren Church with Pastor Mark Abel officiating. Burial will be in the Ashland County Memorial Park. Friends may call on Thursday, May 24, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home. Friends may also visit with the family on Friday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. at the Southview Grace Brethren Church. The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to Southview Grace Brethren Church, 810 Katherine Ave, Ashland, Ohio 44805 or to Pathways Hospice, 1171 E. Main St., Ashland, Ohio 44805.
For those not able to attend, expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at denbowfh.com