Janet A. Zern, age 85, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away on May 19, 2026, at Ashton Creek Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Janet was born on July 27, 1940, in Defiance, Ohio; the sixth child of eighteen children born to Irvin and Lucille (Westrick) Kime. She married her husband of 57 years, Donald N. Zern, on August 13, 1966, in Fort Wayne who preceded her in death in 2025. They raised their family of three children on a small farm in Churubusco, Indiana, and attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Ege, Indiana.

Janet was a 1958 graduate of Jewell High School in Jewell, Ohio and graduated from Warner's Beauty College in 1959. Janet had a strong work ethic and passed that trait onto her children. Janet was a dedicated mother who worked hard to provide for her family. It was through her sacrifices of hard work and multiple jobs that all her own children were able to attend and graduate college; Her children are eternally grateful for her sacrifice. Throughout the years she worked as a factory worker at G.E., Shell Molding, and Parker-Hannifin where she retired in 2009. Janet worked multiple jobs to make ends meet and waitressed at popular restaurants like Don Halls and the Famous Fish of Stroh for more than twenty years. She had many frequent customers who would visit the restaurants and request her.

Janet enjoyed listening to polka and country music with her husband. Together they also loved playing cards with family and friends and enjoyed get-a-way weekends. Janet loved all sports and enjoyed watching her own kids play softball, basketball, volleyball, baseball, football, and wrestling. Her favorite past time was attending her grandchildren's sporting events. She would never miss a game or match. As an avid sports fan, her favorite sport was football (both professional and college) with college basketball being a close second. Her biggest dilemma was who to root for when Indiana University played Ohio State University. This past year she was an exclusive Indiana Football fan (for obvious reasons). Janet's orneriness, sassiness, and enthusiasm defined her sense of humor and were hallmarks of her unique and loving personality. She knew no stranger and was always willing to help others.

Janet, our beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend is survived by her children, Tonya (Gary) Deen of Fort Wayne, Tina (Jon) Kurtz of Fort Wayne, and Bradley (Shelley) Zern of Fort Wayne; three grandchildren, Madelyn Kurtz of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Logan (Hana) Kurtz of Seymour, Indiana, and Ben Zern of Fort Wayne; her best friend, Gloria Ostrowski of St. Simon's Island, Georgia; her siblings, Sr. Mary Lucille, S.N.D. of Whitehouse, Ohio, Margaret "Peggy" Kohne of Fort Wayne, Kathryn "Katie" (Jim) Langschied of Byron Center, Michigan, Francis "Fran" Kime of Defiance, Ohio, Peter "Pete" (Mavis) Kime of Defiance, Ohio, Thomas "Tom" (Pam) Kime of Defiance, Ohio, Linda Meek of Fremont, Ohio, Anita Kime of Defiance, Ohio, and Ann "Annie" (Lynn) Fockler of Defiance, Ohio; and too many nieces and nephews to list without placing a full page ad.

In addition to her parents and husband, Janet was preceded in death by her granddaughter Miranda Kurtz; four brothers; Richard "Dick", James "Jim", Paul, and David "Dave" Kime; four sisters, Barbara "Barb" Hahn, Mary Morris, Nancy Kime, and Patricia "Trisha" Kime; nieces Kimberly Morris and Amy Meek; nephews Kevin Morris and Aaron Kime.

A Celebration of Janet's Life will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 1986 W. Cedar Canyons Rd, Huntertown, Indiana, 46748.

Visitation will be from 1-3 P.M. with a celebration of life ceremony from 3-4 P.M. The family encourages all who attend to wear their favorite sport's attire in honor of Janet.

In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

To sign the online register or send condolences, please visit www.divinemercyfuneralhome.org.