Janet Rae Roberts

Janet Rae Roberts, age 89, of Lake Placid, FL, passed away on Thursday, November 13, 2025. She was born on September 24, 1936, in Fremont, Ohio, daughter of Raymond Koechley and Hazel (Hollenbeck) Koechley. Her family moved to Bellevue, Ohio, when she was a baby. Jan was the oldest sister of James of Chagrin Falls (deceased), Joanne (Terry) McClintock of St. Charles, MO, and John (Kimberly) of Geneva, IL.

After graduating from Bellevue High School, she attended Bowling Green State University where she majored in Elementary Education and was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority. Jan devoted 34 years to elementary school teaching in various cities, including Bellevue, Ohio, Lansing, Michigan, Atlanta, Georgia, Mobile, Alabama, and Bradenton, Florida. Jan was a pioneer in extra-curricular educational experiences for her kindergarten students, domestically and internationally, from weekend campouts to field trips abroad to Austria, France, and Germany. In 2003, she was honored in “Who’s Who Teachers in America.”

On December 31, 1960, Jan married Ed (Edwin Stuart Roberts, III), at the Immaculate Conception Church in Bellevue, Ohio; Ed preceded her in death on March 23, 2024. Together, they enjoyed 63 years of marriage with a loving family. She is survived by 3 children: Kyle Ann Roberts of Lake Placid, FL, Edward Scott Roberts of Tampa, FL, and John (Michelle) Roberts of Honeoye Falls, NY; grandchildren, Max (Christine) Roberts and Emma and Michael Rizzella-Roberts; great-grandchildren, Elijah and Lyla; sister-in-law, Cathy (Bill, deceased) Roberts; and, nieces and nephews, Nichole (John) Jackman, Johnathon (Julia) Koechley, Jennifer Cunningham (Jonathan), Bradford (Sheila) Roberts, Brent (Heather) Roberts, Katrina (Richard) Howard, and Jamie (Jonathan) Koechley-Ingram, and their children. They will miss Grandma’s/Aunt Jan’s baked treats, hot chocolate, board games, and the special way she made every holiday and get-together warm and memorable.

Jan and Ed were members of St. James Catholic Church in Lake Placid, FL. Jan enjoyed tennis, art projects, decorating, scrapbooking, reading, shopping, and having lunch with good friends.

Jan will be remembered for her bright smile, infectious laugh, the sparkle in her eyes, and the thoughtful note or card that she never failed to send. She will be missed by many.

May Jan rest in peace with her husband Ed and, together, in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

A funeral Mass will be held at a later date.

Arrangements entrusted to:

Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home

4001 Sebring Parkway

Sebring, FL 33870