Janice Rae Schmitt (nee Waters), 84, of Allentown Borough, died Monday, April 6, 2020 at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, Hamilton. Janice lived in the Historic Village of Allentown she loved for 60 years and will be remembered as one of its most civic-minded and beloved residents. The list of organizations that Janice both led and in which she served is extensive and  reflects a life lived fully in the cheerful service of others. Janice's life of exemplary community service, esprit de corps, and friendship to all stand as her lasting legacy.

Born January 12, 1936 in Trenton to loving parents, Raymond and Catherine Waters (nee Alton), Janice grew up in Hamilton Township and graduated from Hamilton High School in 1953. After high school, Janice was employed by Farmers Reliance, Trenton, NJ.   On October 1, 1960, Janice married Frederick F. Schmitt (dec.) of Allentown in St. John the Baptist R.C. Church in Allentown.

After marriage and moving to her historic home on North Main Street in the  Borough, Janice worked for the Allentown-Upper Freehold School District. Many people, however, will remember Janice and her late husband Fred owning and running the Candy Kitchen, the old-fashioned soda fountain, ice cream parlor, and luncheonette on Main Street. Janice thrived there and served her customers  with much warmth, hospitality, and humor. Later, Janice was employed by LaFrance Limousine Service in Allentown.

Over the past 60 years, the patriotic Allentonian served her community, her state, and our nation. Janice was a proud 50-year member of American Legion  Post #31 Auxiliary in Hamilton where she held many different offices including  President as well as Mercer County Legion Auxiliary President.  Janice passionately supported the school's athletic teams and after-school student activities. She was an officer in the Allentown Redbird Booster Club and served for many years on both the Elementary and the High School PTA organizations where she was honored for her service to children in need. Janice was also a founding member and coordinator of D.A.C. (Does Anyone Care?) an afterschool program created to steer junior high schoolers away from drugs and  alcohol. A feisty regular in the hometown bleachers, Janice's fighting Redbird  spirit will be missed on the sidelines of Allentown's sports fields.  Janice was a long-time member of the Women's Association of Allentown (WAA) where she served as President and earned the honor of WAA's "Woman of the Year" in 2001. She and the other members of WAA started the tree lighting  ceremony as well as the Village Christmas caroling and hosted many other  wonderful events for the residents of Allentown and Upper Freehold. The author of a beloved series of Christmas poems titled ​Holiday Poems--a tribute to Allentown, NJ​ that features the historic village as their snowy backdrop, Janice delighted in the holiday season as experienced in small town America.

No stranger to politics, Janice was Chairwoman of the Allentown Democratic  Club and happily served as a poll-worker in the 2nd Voting District for many years.  In May 2012, Janice was selected to be the Grand Marshall of the Allentown Lions  Club Memorial Day Parade and was honored by the organization for her service and community spirit. In her address at the Memorial Service for the gallant fallen, she reminded us that "no one accomplishes important things alone. It takes teamwork--people coming together to really make a difference."

Janice is predeceased by her parents Raymond and Catherine Waters, her loving husband of 32 years, Frederick F. Schmitt, and her father and mother-in-law, Adolph R. and Anna Schmitt, her brother Harry and sister-in-law Delores (Dee) Waters; her sisters Betty Lou Conrad, and Nancy Waters; and three nieces: Nadine A. Slack (nee Schmitt); Romona J. Keenan (nee Schmitt); and Caren L.  Schmitt. Janice leaves behind her devoted son Todd F. Schmitt, and his girlfriend, Tracy  Warrington of Point Pleasant, NJ; her brothers and sisters-in-law: Richard A. and Mary Ann Schmitt of South Bethany Beach, DE; Robert H. and Catherine A. Schmitt Sr. of Hamilton, NJ ; and Catherine A. and Vernon Toppin of Addison, Maine.

Janice was a loving aunt who took an interest in the lives of her extended family.  She leaves behind many nieces and nephews from the Waters and Schmitt  families. They include Kim Waters; Valerie Nebbia; Kurt Waters; Eric Waters;  Donna Mercantini; Richard A. Schmitt, Jr.; Susan Lawler; Colleen Swiderski;  David Toppin; Renee Millman; Timothy Toppin; Robert H. Schmitt, Jr.; and Dennis  Schmitt. She will also be remembered by her many great nieces and nephews  with whom she shared a special bond.   She will be missed greatly by her close-knit group of friends who loved her and supported her until the very last as well as by the community at large. Janice used to say "everybody's welcome on the porch!" She treated her friends like family and to many who did not share her last name she was still and will always  remain "Aunt Janie".

Due to the current pandemic restrictions there will be no immediate gathering  in honor of Janice. Instead, a memorial service for Janice R. Schmitt will be announced at a later date by the family and Peppler Funeral Home, Allentown,  NJ.

Interment will take place at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial  Veterans Cemetery in Arneytown, NJ.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: ​The Janice R. Schmitt Memorial Scholarship Fund ℅ Alex Nebbia 23 Hankins Farm Road, Allentown, NJ 08501​.