Jana Otwell

Jana Otwell, of Onaga, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Aug. 2, 2022.

Jana Sue (Miller) Otwell was born in Sikeston, Mo., on Jan. 4, 1951, the second child of Johnnie E Miller (2009) and June Miller of Pilot Knob, Mo. While waitressing on college break, she met James A. Otwell, in Arnold, Mo. They were married on April 17, 1971, at First Baptist Church of Des Arc, Mo., less than a year after meeting.

During the first part of their marriage, she traveled with Jim throughout central and western U.S. as he worked on water towers and later power plants. They continued to travel and live on the road with Palmer, Kan., as their home base until 1988 when the family moved to their present home in Onaga.

Jana enjoyed being a homemaker and was proud of how she took care of her family. She was community minded – involved with the establishment of New Hope Lutheran Church and caring for the Fairview Cemetery and School. If it had to do with feeding the community, Jana was involved - funeral dinners, soup suppers, and community breakfasts.

In addition to being a fulltime wife, homemaker, and mother, Jana would occasionally wait tables, bartend, and do factory work. Jana loved to read, hand quilt, garden, and can, however she enjoyed the time she spent with her three grandchildren the most.

She is survived by her husband, James Otwell, of Onaga, KS; sons, Clinton, of San Francisco, CA, and Clayton, his spouse, Heather, and their children, Payton, Chloe, and Graham of Wellsville, KS; her mother, June Miller of Pilot Knob, MO, sisters, Juanita Stunkel and her spouse, Gene, of Palmer, KS, and Judith Ann Donaldson, and her spouse, William, of Annapolis MO; brother-in-law Leslie Otwell Jr of Ingleside TX; nephews, John Allen Miller of Walls, MS, Jeremiah Miller of Annapolis, MO, David Stunkel of Lenexa, KS, Daniel Stunkel of Overland Park, KS, Adam Otwell of Elverta CA, Jacob Otwell of Rio Linda, CA and their families; niece’s Becky Miller of Troy, MO and Crystal Saldivar of Beatty, OR. She was preceded in death by her father, Johnnie Miller, and her brother, John Arthur Miller and his spouse, Deborah Miller, mother-in-Law Betty Roe, father-inlaw Leslie Otwell, brotherin- laws Doug Otwell and Jeff Otwell.

The funeral was Aug. 8 at New Hope Lutheran Church in Onaga, followed by burial at Fairview Cemetery. Rev. Mike Ide officiated. Memorial funds are established for Fairview School and New Hope Lutheran Church. Flowers and contributions may be sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Onaga, KS. Service will stream on www.facebook.com/NewHopeELCA

Washington County News • Aug. 11, 2022