Obituary of Janet M. Lenhart

Janet Marie Lenhart, age 86, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 27, 2025 at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, NY Janet was born on August 25, 1939 in Rome, New York to Elliott Collins and Ruby E. Collins (Hummel). As a young girl she lived in the Verona area and graduated from the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School District. In 1959, she married the love of her life, Ronald E. Lenhart. They settled and raised their family in Vernon Center, NY. Janet was self-employed with her husband and operated several businesses including Lenhart's Grocery, Lenhart's Garage, and a fabric shop. She also worked at the Vernon Bank, Vernon Center Post Office, and the Vernon Liquor Store. Janet worked hard to make her community a better place. She served as a board member at the Maple Park Home in Vernon Center. She was a member and treasurer of the Vernon Center Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and the Vernon Historical Society. She was also a member of the Mohican Model A Ford Club and the Thread Bears Quilters' Guild. Janet was an avid sewist and needleworker. She spent many happy hours working on quilts, embroidery, cross stitch, knitting, and crochet. She enjoyed antiquing and was interested in local history and family genealogy. Her greatest joy was providing a loving home for her family and hosting large holiday gatherings for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Janet was preceded in death by her husband and parents. Her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Curt and Rose Lenhart Miller. Her sister and brother-in-law, Beatrice and Robert Barnes. Her brother-in-law, Roy Wagner and her son-in-law, Donald Arntsen. She is survived by her children: Patricia (John) Irion, David (Lynn) Lenhart, Susan (Clare) Arntsen Thiem, Christine (Bill) Kampf, Kelley Lenhart, and Matthew (Kathie) Lenhart; her beloved thirteen grandchildren and their families; her sister-in-law, Rita Wagner; and several nieces, nephews, and friends. The Lenhart Family would like to extend a special thanks to the medical teams at Oneida Healthcare and Crouse Hospital. Calling hours will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 1:00-4:00 pm followed by a Memorial Service at the Malecki Funeral Home, 23 Front Street, Vernon, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Vernon Center Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary or the Vernon Historical Society.