Janice Marie (Bahler) Pfister, 83, died peacefully on Monday, February 24, 2025, in hospice care at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Ft. Wayne, IN.  She was born in Wolcott, Indiana on September 27, 1941, the youngest of six children of the late Jacob J. & Emma C. (Steffen) Bahler.  She was the last baby the local doctor delivered at home, rather than in a hospital.  She married Robert Lee Pfister on September 30, 1962, at her parents' farm.  He preceded her in death on January 4, 2019.  In their 56 years of marriage, the couple had four children:  Nancy Marie (1963), John Robert (1964 - 2012), Elaine Kay (1969), and Robert Jerrod (1977).  Bob and Jan had a warm, welcoming home on Shoreline Drive in Leo that was always open to guests (both short and long-term); they were affectionately referred to as "Dad" and "Mom" by many who found love and support in their family.

Janice belonged to the Apostolic Christian Church for the great majority of her life.  She became a member shortly after her marriage, and was later joined by her husband, Bob and son, John.  Before she moved into assisted living at The Cedars in Leo in 2022, "Jan with the Van" was a driver for the Amish for nearly 40 years.  She had many dear friends in the Amish community.  Earlier in life, she was a homemaker and volunteer aide in the Leo schools as her children were growing up, and she once ran a concession stand with her son, Robert and daughter-in-law, Renee (Reas) Pfister, John's wife for many years.  Before marriage, she worked in a ribbon factory and was a favorite babysitter of her many nieces and nephews.  Janice was a 1959 graduate of Gilboa High School, in a graduation class of six.

Surviving are three of her children and their spouses, Nancy (Jay) Brandenberger of Columbia City, Elaine (Shane) Chapin of Ft. Wayne, and Robert Pfister & Andrew Sklar of Leo; five grandchildren, Brett Pfister of Auburn, Maxwell Chapin of Ft. Wayne, Jesse (Mariah) Brandenberger of Ft. Wayne, Breana Pfister of Ft. Wayne, Cecelia (Andrew Roginski) Chapin of Santa Fe, New Mexico; two great grandsons, Mac and Baylor Brandenberger of Ft. Wayne; sister, Lora Kupferschmid of Paxton, Illinois and a sister-in-law, Karla Bahler of Wolcott, Indiana.  In addition to her husband and son, she was preceded in death by her brothers & sisters-in-law, Elmer (Marilyn) Bahler, Alfred (Frances) Bahler, Lowell Bahler; sisters & brothers-in-law, Arlene (Benjamin "Ben") Habegger and Daniel B. Kupferschmid.

Calling will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 6-8 pm and Friday, February 28, 2025 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at Leo Apostolic Christian Church (11714 Grabill Road, Leo, IN).  Services will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 11 am with calling one hour prior at the church.  Pastor Lynn Stieglitz will officiate.  Burial in Leo Memorial Park Cemetery, Leo, IN.

Memorials may be given to the Leo Apostolic Christian Church - 11714 Grabill Road, Leo, IN  46765.