Janice McGarr Bland

Janice McGarr Bland was born May 4, 1931 in Warren, Ohio, the daughter of William and Bertha McGarr. She died peacefully with her daughters by her side on January 30, 2018.

She graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in June, 1949 and from Kent State University in 1953. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Teaching of the Deaf with a minor in Elementary Education. At Kent State University, she was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority and was an officer for numerous campus organizations. This lead to her being listed in Who's Who National College Book of 1952. As a senior at KSU, she was named one of six "Distinguished Students" for her accomplishments which included Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, vice president of student council and leadership positions in many other groups. She also was on the court of Miss Kent State. Following graduation, she taught the deaf in Cleveland and through Warren City Schools.

Mrs. Bland was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Warren and served on numerous committees over the years. She especially enjoyed visiting parishioners who were facing difficulties. She was a member of the Trumbull County Historical Society and Canal Society of Ohio. Most of her adult life, she belonged to the Monday Afternoon Club, a study group, where she served as president and held other offices. She also delivered Mobile Meals for several years. Janice was a former member of the American Association of University Women, Pan Hellenic and served on numerous Warren City School Committees.

When her husband, Ray, died suddenly in 2007, Mrs. Bland became co-chairperson of the committee to bring the Ohio Canal Society to Warren for a weekend. She also assumed leadership and fulfilled Ray's dream to place a historical marker on Courthouse Square in Warren to inform people about the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal, which was conceived here and passed through Warren. She and Ray were interested in the rich history of this area and worked to help keep it alive for future generations.

Mrs. Bland was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond L. Bland, as well as her parents, William & Bertha McGarr, her sister, Erma Jean Sheets and her infant daughter, Carolyn Sue Bland. Survivors include her two daughters, Joyce (Rick) Brothers of Warren and Karen (Terry) Peterson of Bay Village, OH, and two grandchildren, Julie Brothers of New York, NY and Kevin Brothers of Lakewood, Ohio.

Family will receive friends and family on Friday, February 2, 2018 from 5 pm to 7 pm at McFarland & Son Funeral Home, 271 North Park Ave, Warren, OH and Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 10 to 11 at First United Methodist Church, 309 N Park Avenue,Warren, OH with a service following with Pastor Yesudas Devadan at 11 am.

Family is requesting contributions be made to First United Methodist Church, 309 N Park Avenue,Warren, OH in lieu of flowers.

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