Janet C. Digel

Digel, Janet C., 93 of Springfield passed away November 3, 2020 in Forest Glen Health

Campus. She was born in Springfield, Ohio January 30, 1927, the daughter of John and

Myrtle Helms and the sister of Robert Bethard Helms. Janet was a 1945 graduate of

Springfield High School and earned her BS from Wittenberg University. She was a

retired elementary teacher with Springfield City Schools with over 30 years of service.

Janet was a life-long member of Northminster Presbyterian Church where she sang in the

senior choir for 78 continuous years; she directed both the junior and senior choirs as a

young woman and several times during her later years while also starting the first

Northminster handbell choir. Third only to faith and family, music was a vital part of

Janet’s entire life. She took flute, piano and tap-dancing lessons as a child. As a high

school sophomore, she continually lobbied for girls to be allowed membership into the

Springfield High School Marching Band and ultimately was successful in being the first

female member (with permission to play from the bleachers - no marching though!)

Janet was also one of the first flutists in the in the early days of the Springfield

Symphony Orchestra. She was also a a member of the renowned Gem City Sweet

Adeline Chorus for 13 years, travelling and performing throughout the United States and

winning first place in the international competitions of 1985 in Kansas City and 1991 in

San Antonio. Janet's later years included membership in the Vintage Voices Chorus of

Springfield Senior Services which she also found very rewarding. She was preceded in

death by her parents; husband George William Koerner; husband Judge Lewis W. Digel

and son Robert Helms Digel. Survivors include her children John (Marisa) Digel and

Sarah (Evan) Miller; daughter-in-law Kerry Digel; grandchilden Robert (Emily) Digel,

Nicholas (Kellie) Digel, Matthew (Verity) Digel, Dylan Digel, Korinne Digel, Aaron

Miller, Audra Miller; and great-grandchildren Madeleine, Zoe, Eli, and Ivy. Private

family services will be held at Northminster Church. RICHARDS, RAFF & DUNBAR

MEMORIAL HOME has been entrusted with the final arrangements. A public memorial

service will be held in the summer of 2021. Memorial contributions may be made to the

music department of Northminster Presbyterian Church 400 Villa Road Springfield, Ohio

45503. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.richardsraffanddunbar.com.