Janis Ann Koba, 91, Wonderful Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Friend

Janis (nee Van Sickle) was born in Lorain on September 8, 1924, the daughter of Mary (Frantz) Van Sickle and Dorvan Van Sickle.

She was a lovely singer and president of the choir of the 1942B graduating class of Lorain High School. She was a member of St Mary Church in Lorain. After high school, Janis attended Cleveland City Hospital and took part in the cadet nursing program at the beginning or WWII. She worked at the Hines VA Hospital near Chicago where the healthier wounded combat solders from the Pacific were hospitalized. All the while she was writing her sweetheart, Richard J. Koba Sr., who was a member of the 84th Infantry Division fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and other campaigns. They had been a couple since 1940 and she wrote him every day. After the war, a wounded Richard returned home, and they were married near a base hospital in Camp Atterbury, Indiana on October 5, 1946.

Janis lived in Chambersburg, PA for 5 years and bore two daughters. She then moved permanently to Lorain in 1955 and bore another daughter and a son. Janis was an accomplished watercolorist and a member of the Erie Shores Art League, and she worked as an RN for ten years for Anchor Lodge, later Sprenger. Janis was married to Richard for 68 years and they were a couple for 74 years. Richard always said She was the best thing to ever happen to me. In truth, Janis was the best thing to happen to anyone. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, friend and human being. She will be sorely missed.

Mrs. Koba is survived by daughters Claudia (Gary Jaketic) Koba, Sister Kristine A Koba S.A. of Graymoor, NY, Elizabeth (Michael McCarthy) of Ft. Collins, CO, son Richard J. (Teresa) Koba, Jr. of Saugus, MA, grandchildren: Nicholas Jaketic, Peter (Rose) Jaketic, Molly McCarthy, Neil McCarthy, Emily Janis Koba, and a great grandchild Tye Joseph Jaketic.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband Richard J. Koba Sr., and brother Loren Gene Van Sickle.

Friends may call Monday, October 19, 2015 from 3 - 7 pm at Schwartz, Spence Boyer & Cool Home for Funerals, 1124 5th Street, Lorain, OH. Funeral services will begin with prayers at 9:30am at the funeral home on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, followed by a 10:00 am mass of Christian buried at St. Mary Church, 8th and Reid in Lorain with Rev. Daniel O. Divis officiating.

Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Lorain. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary Church in Lorain.

Online condolences at www.boyercool.com.