Janice A Bogdanovitch

There will be a visitation on Monday, Nov. 3, 2008 from 4 to 7 p.m. at McPeek Funeral Home, 133 S. Prospect St., Granville, for Janice A. Bogdanovitch, 68, of Granville.

Janice passed away Thursday, October 30, 2008 at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus. She was born Nov. 26, 1939 in Omaha, Nebraska to the late Drs. Donald M. and Pansy (Shettron) Harris. An Art Educator, Janice earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Albion College and her Master of Arts from the University of Iowa.

Mrs. Bogdanovitch, a retired Granville Middle School Art Teacher, will be remembered for her exceptional talents and compassion towards her students. She began teaching in 1976 at Granville Schools and retired in 2005. Her enthusiasm for the Granville Schools led her to serve many years and be actively involved with the Superintendant and Teacher Advisory Committee. She served as President and Past President of Granville Education Association, was a member of the North Central Accreditation Committee, and was a mentor for new staff. Jan was an artist, educator, and advocate. She always put her family, friends, and students first. It is true she also possessed strong opinions and the conviction to share them. In her own words, here is how Jan saw her role; "In my classroom, I like to change the projects to reflect new ideas - sometimes new equipment and processes. I'm very excited about the life-size, self-portraits I have a group of 8th graders starting. I am thinking of this project as a celebration as well as documentation of early adolescence. I can't wait to see what the students are thinking. I tell the kids that art is everything so some days I could be talking about ratios, and another day, talking about solid geometric figures. I think it is important for students to see that I am excited about all learning. I believe in the freedom to be curious; I believe in daydreaming. I think individual potential should be thought of as infinite. I believe in helping whenever and wherever I can (and not just because I often need help myself.) I have worked for my teacher's organization because I think that is what professionals should do. At one time or another, I have worked on every committee except Technology."

Surviving are her husband, George J. Bogdanovitch, whom she married Nov. 1, 1961; and their children, Jesse and Mike Ellison of Irvine, CA, Alex Bogdanovitch and Robbie Balan of Fox Lake, Ill., Justin Bogdanovitch and Chris Kresge of Anacortes, WA, Sarah and John Dawson of Austin, Tx, and Jason and Kati Bogdanovitch of Delaware, OH; and their grandchildren, Max, Lucas, and J.J. Ellison, Ava Jane Dawson, Lyda, Joey, Sasha, and Charlie Bogdanovitch. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Neil and Lona Harris of Kansas City, MO.

Arrangements are in the care of McPeek Funeral Home in Granville. Visit www.mcpeekfuneralhome.com to sign an online guest book or send condolences to the family. Favorite memories or stories of Janice's life may be sent to the family at www.bogdanovitch.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Janice's memory may be made to the Granville Education Foundation to increase the impact of Fine Arts. Please make checks payable to Granville Education Foundation, P.O. Box 84, Granville, OH 43023, and make certain Janice's name is written on the memo line.