Janice Irene Diehl

Obituary For Janice Irene Diehl

Janice Irene Diehl departed from this earthly realm on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at Windsor House at Canfield in Canfield, Ohio. Heaven released Janice on a wintry day on February 5, 1936, to James and Dorothy Morgan in Youngstown, Ohio. Janice was originally the third out of twelve children. Yet, with the early death of many of her young siblings, Janice soon was recognized as the eldest child. As a young girl, Janice matriculated through the Youngstown City school system from her formative years in elementary and junior high schools until her graduation from The Rayen School in 1953.

Upon graduation from high school, Janice met the man she would marry and create a family with – James Aster Richard John Diehl. They were united in holy matrimony on November 27, 1954, and built a life in Youngstown welcoming three children – Minister James, Sr., Jennifer, and Jalisa – from this union.

Janice’s employment career began at the former Strouss-Hirshberg Company in downtown Youngstown, OH, which became Kaufmann’s and now Macy’s, where she worked over a decade mixing chemicals, assisting clients, and supervising staff within the company’s hair & beauty salon.

Janice’s maternalistic qualities were recognized long before she was an actual mother. As a young girl, Janice maintained the household duties of cleaning, cooking, laundering the clothes, looking after her siblings and getting each child and herself off to school while her father worked and her mother was gravely ill. This fostered Janice’s independence and hard-work ethic. Janice remained busy managing her home’s responsibilities as a young wife and mother while simultaneously caring for her younger siblings. Additionally, Janice did not believe in being idle. Janice formed a strong booster club when her son, James, played football to help the team. She made sure the players ate and felt like they mattered.

Still, Janice put her care and compassion to use when she worked at Diamond Head Nursing Home, Beeghly Oaks Center for Rehabilitation and Healing as a nurse’s aide for several years. Janice discovered great joy as a caregiver and housekeeper while assisting elderly and physically disabled individuals with their daily needs. Her skills and kindness were sought to render loving care for the great niece of the renowned physicist Albert Einstein.

Janice found immense joy in catering alongside her beloved daughters, Jennifer and Jalisa. Together, they created cherished memories through food, celebrating life's milestones such as weddings, graduations, and anniversaries with her signature cuisine. Her talents were often called upon for a myriad of social dining events, luncheons, church meetings, funeral repasts, and church conferences. Known for her exceptional culinary presentations and an unwavering belief in abundance, Janice ensured that no guest would ever leave a catered celebration hungry. Her reputation for creating delectable meals was a testament to her talent and love for bringing people together.

As a life-long member of Price Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Janice loved her church and dedicated her life by serving on several committees and ministries during her tenure. Janice was a leader of leaders, head of the culinary department, member of the choir and secretary of the choir. Janice helped raise and manage church finances via various committees. She was one of the original organizers of the Country Store, which was an annual summer event featuring a fashion show, games, prizes and fundraisers for the church. Janice’s commitment to her church could often be displayed not only in her service within, but in the expression of love in sent cards, monetary gifts, and other tokens of her affection and love she extended to many people.

Janice took great pride and pleasure in her service to her church and toward others. Recognized as one of the oldest members, Janice received several awards for her faithfulness and devotion to the Price Memorial. Beyond her home church, she was honored by the Ohio & Pennsylvania Church Council for her ambitious efforts to raise the most funds than anyone in the region.

A culinary master in her own right, Janice had a particular fondness for pasta and soda pop. She also enjoyed traveling, participating in game shows, and dressing elegantly. Her favorite song, "It is No Secret What God Can Do" reflected her deep faith and belief in the God’s faithfulness.

Family was everything to Janice and she was grateful to God for moments shared. She took great pleasure in creating memories with her loved ones, celebrating milestones such as Mother's Day 2025 and the 50th Wedding Anniversary of her son, James, and daughter-in-love, Renee. She was known for her thoughtfulness, never missing a year sending personalized birthday cards with monetary gifts to her family members, ensuring they felt loved and appreciated. Her sensitivity and heart of gold, which she generously extended to all she encountered, meant she never met a stranger.

Janice leaves to cherish her memory and legacy with her loving children Minister James (Renee) Diehl, Sr., Mansfield, OH; Jennifer Williams and Jalisa Diehl, both of Youngstown, OH; seven grandchildren Tuenika (Everett) Wynn, Suffolk, VA, Shawntae (Ted) Jackson, Austintown, OH, Brandi Johnson, Sumter, S.C., James, Jr. (Kimberly) Diehl, Mansfield, OH, Shalay (Frank) Pitts, Dayton, OH, DeVale Diehl, Columbus, OH, and Terrell Diehl, Mansfield, OH; twenty three great-grandchildren; three great, great-grandchildren; four siblings, Richard (Carol) Morgan, Dallas, TX, Rebecca M. McKinney, Youngstown, OH, Delores Bradley, Akron, OH, and Linda Drayton, Campbell, OH; a godson, Timothy Barnes, Jr., and an extensive family of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Janice was preceded in death by her husband; one grandchild, James Aster Richard John Diehl, II.; two great, great-grandchildren, King Major Johnson and Weston Omari William Wiley; her parents, James and Dorothy Morgan; a brother, Elder Gerald C. Morgan; a sister, Rita J. Morgan-Wright; a mother-in-law, Myrtle Diehl; a sister-in-law, Lucille Harris; a nephew, James Harris, Jr.; a niece, Raquel T. McKinney; and two brother-in-law’s, Willie G. McKinney, Jr. and Wilbert Drayton.

As we celebrate Janice's extraordinary life, we remember her profound impact on all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and service that will continue to inspire us all. A public viewing will be held on Thursday October 16, 2025, from 2:00 - 4:00 PM in the chapel of the J.E. Washington Funeral Home, 2234 Glenwood Ave in Youngstown, Ohio.

The family will host an additional 10:00 AM public viewing on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Price Memorial AME Zion, 920 Dryden Avenue, and the Celebration of Life service will begin at 11:00 AM with Rev. Dr. William King officiating and her son, Minister James Diehl Sr.as the eulogist. Following the committal ceremony, Janice will be laid to rest in the tranquil meadows of Tod Homestead Cemetery.

At this time of intimate need and personal loss, the family of Janice Irene Diehl elected to entrust the Ministry of Comfort & Care, along with Transitional After-Care Arrangements to the J. E. Washington Funeral Services, 2234 Glenwood Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio, 330.782.8500.