It is with great sadness that our family shares the passing of Janice Eleanore Bechtel, aka, Jan Barlow, of Dickson, TN.
Janice passed peacefully from this life on August 31, 2025, at the age of 85.
Janice was born November 7, 1939, in Waukon, IA. In high school she was active in extracurricular activities, such as cheerleading, majorette, and chorus. She remained life-long friends with her school buddies, Nedra, Bonnie, Sylvia, and Betty. She so enjoyed returning to Waukon for family and class reunions.
Janice or “Jan”, as she was known by many, enjoyed being a homemaker and raising her 5 children. For many years, mom had a singer sewing machine and she not only mended our clothes, but she could also create entire outfits. As a cross-stitcher, she was a perfectionist and through patience and care with each stitch created lasting heirlooms.
Janice was a woman of many layers; fiercely independent, private, and valued her solitude. She also loved working at and attending celebrity events in Nashville. She did some modeling and appeared in a country music video. Unknown to others, she had a flair for storytelling that found its way into lyrics. She penned two original country songs, “I’ll cry my tears today”, and “Jack of all trades.” Greatest of all, Jan loved the Lord and was a member of the United Methodist Church.
Janice was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Eleanore (Wild) Bechtel, her sister, Jalee, and her beloved brother, Lyle.
She is survived by her five children, Bret (Donna Mathis) Stock and Jacque (Dale) Mayberry of Dickson, Mike Butcher and Beau Butcher of Lyles, and Cole (Jessica) Butcher of Illinois. We would like to acknowledge our sister, Sherry (Butcher) McGuigan also. She was “Grandma Jan” to 10 grandchildren, Ashlee (Stock) Hinton, Christy (Chris) Brashear, Bret (Whitney) Stock, Nicki Cato Long (Justin), Kelsey Cato, Christopher Butcher, Robbie Anderson, Emma (Ty) Smith, Joshua (Kayla) Butcher, and Joel Butcher, and 10 great-grandchildren, Bret Hinton, Kate and Taylor Brashear, Jade, Karly and McKenzie Long, Blakelee and Jackson Stock, Tripp and Adelaide Smith.
A Celebration in memory of Janice will be held on September 27, 2025, at Dickson First Methodist Church at 3PM with Rev. Ed White officiating. Visitation will begin at 2:30PM until the time of service. A private family burial will follow.
A special thanks to the staff of NHC, Caris Hospice and Taylor Funeral Home for the care they provided to our mom.
