Janice Elizabeth Hanefeld

Janice Elizabeth Hanefeld, 79, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026.

Janice was born on August 30, 1946, to the late Kenneth Berger and Elizabeth (Storey) Berger. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, and proud grandmother whose warmth and kindness touched everyone who knew her.

On June 2, 1984, in Mishawaka, Indiana, Janice married the love of her life, Ritchie Hanefeld, with whom she shared many wonderful years filled with love, laughter, and memorable travels together. Janice worked as a warranty clerk at Gurley Leep for nine years before retiring in 2000. Outside of work, she found joy in the simple pleasures of life—tending to her flower gardens, shopping, caring for her bird feeders, long weekends at the Lake House, and especially loving her cats. She was an amazing cook and entertainer, always happiest when surrounded by family and friends.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Ritchie Hanefeld; her daughter, Joanne Schemahorn; and her cherished granddaughter, Abigail Schemahorn.

A memorial gathering will be held from 3:00–4:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, February 2, at Palmer Funeral Home – Welsheimer North Chapel, 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend, Indiana. Burial will take place the following day at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Granger, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Center for Hospice Care of Mishawaka, Indiana, or Here Kitty Kitty Rescue in Elkhart, Indiana. Janice will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all whose lives she touched.

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