Janice Leichty

Jan Wilson was a faithful person, a supportive mother, and a treasured grandmother. Passionate about people from an early age, she spent most of her life selflessly serving the needs of others. Janice will be remembered for fierce independence and her genuine kindness. There is no doubt that she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

In the year 1939, Lou Gehrig retired from the New York Yankees, the much-loved classic film, The Wizard of Oz, held its Hollywood premiere, and the first commercial air flight crossed the Atlantic Ocean. On July 6th of that same year, Janice Lee was welcomed home to her loving parents, F. Clark and Edith (Stoddard) Wilson, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The youngest of three daughters, her birth brought much happiness to the family home.

Growing up in Lamont, Jan lived a typical childhood. Her mother was a caregiver and ran a home in the area. As a result, Jan learned to care for others at an early age. Sadly, her father passed away when she was only ten years old, leaving her mother to care for her after her older sisters had moved away. She attended school in Coopersville and graduated from Coopersville High School. Jan was taking local dance lessons at the time she met Nathan “Nate” Leichty. The two of them were smitten from the start and joined in marriage exactly two years later, on February 17, 1962. As newlyweds, they settled in Hudsonville for a short time before moving to Mason Street. Together, they raised four wonderful children. By 1976, the family moved to Knapp Street on the NE side of town.

When the time was right, Jan went back to school to train as an LPN. She worked primarily in the surgical ICU and then in the waiting room for many years at Butterworth Hospital. Since Nate worked during the day, Jan worked at night so they could share household responsibilities. At home, she cared for her husband, her children, and Nate’s parents before their death. She poured herself into making the best meals for her family as well as providing them with a comfortable home. Her children never doubted her love over the years. Jan gave so much of herself to her family and ensured they had anything they needed to be successful. As a family, they did some camping when the kids were young and took a few trips to Cedar Point. Although she was quite a bit younger than her siblings, Jan made sure they remained connected over the years, normally gathering at her mother’s home. In her free time, she enjoyed reading and knitting. All in all, Jan’s family meant the world to her.

Tragically, Nate passed away in 2001. Jan continued to work for a couple of years and then retired from her nursing career. She also moved into a newly built condominium on the NW side of Grand Rapids so she could leave the maintenance to the property management. Her favorite pastime was going for car rides. She especially loved stopping to visit family or friends along the way. Her charming personality made it easy for her to make new friends, and she never lost any over the years. Jan had friends from school days, from work, from church, as well as others she called family. Later in life, she enjoyed helping to raise a couple of her grandsons. Anytime she was able to mother someone, her heart was content. Jan never passed up an invitation for a day trip to visit Shipshewana with a group of friends.

Jan’s faith life was important to her. She was involved and a member of Oakhill Presbyterian Church from its inception. Her loving, social, and caring ways touched the hearts of many. Jan savored every moment she had with her family and lived her life to the fullest, loving each of them unconditionally. Her beautiful smile and sweet personality will be greatly missed by her many special friends and loved ones. May her warm collection of memories touch their hearts forevermore.

Janice Lee Leichty, age 86, passed away on June 28, 2026. She was preceded in death by her husband, Nathan, and her sisters, Helen Elenbaas and Joyce VanTubergen.

Jan is survived by her children, David & Terri Leichty, Karen Chamberlin, Paul Leichty, Perry Leichty; grandchildren: Jackylin Chamberlin, Patrick Chamberlin, Steven Chamberlin, Samuel Leichty, and Alexander Leichty; great-grandchildren: Kaylin and Zane Chamberlin; as well as nieces and nephews.

Her funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 11:30 AM at Oakhill Church, 1930 Leonard Street NE, where friends may visit with her family beginning at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, her family requests memorial donations to Trinity Health at Home Hospice of Grand Haven. To share a memory with her family or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com