Janet Cecelia Case Yager Pontz

Janet Cecelia Case Yager Pontz died February 16, 2013.  A resident of Brethren Village, she was born in Havre de Grace, MD, on July 27, 1915, the daughter of the late Hattie G. and Hiram U. Case. Janet grew up in Lancaster and graduated as Valedictorian of her class at Millersville University. In 1937 she married Frank W. Yager, a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College, moving to Flushing, N.Y. where she taught elementary school. In 1964 she and her husband fulfilled a dream when they moved to Newbury, New Hampshire where they owned and operated Knollwood Inn on Lake Sunapee for the next twenty years. She and her husband had been married for 53 years when he died in 1990.

Janet returned to Lancaster in 1993.  In 1999 she married Richard Pontz with whom she shared 11 years of marriage until he died in 2010.  Janet was a volunteer librarian both in Newbury, New Hampshire and Brethren Village. She served as a volunteer in many community activities and enjoyed swimming, needlecrafts and collecting antiques. During her years at Knollwood, she was well known for hosting many returning guests and family members with freshly baked breads, home- made dinners and desserts.

Janet was the mother of two children, both of whom predeceased her. Her daughter Barbara L. (Yager), was the wife of Bruce A. Hepburn, Lancaster. Her son, Tedd W. Yager was the  husband of Chloe Yager, Newbury, N.H.  She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Arline Cunningham, five grandchildren, Thomas W. Yager, Roberta (Yager) Cerniglia, Susan L. Hepburn, Laura (Hepburn) Fellenbaum, and James B. Hepburn, daughter-in-law, Susan K. Hepburn, and six great grandchildren. Two brothers, Richard G. and James A. Case, preceded her in death.

A memorial service will be held at the Brethren Village Chapel, 3001 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA on Sunday, March 10, 2013, at 2 pm.  Interment will be private.

Janet and the family have requested that memorial gifts in lieu of flowers be sent to: The Barbara Yager Hepburn Memorial Scholarship, Hope College, Attn. P. Tilden, Holland, Michigan 49423.