Dr. Janeen A. (Harper, Lichtner) Lepp

Dr. Janeen Ann (Harper, Lichtner) Lepp departed this world on February 19, 2026, age 90, at Adams Lane Care Center. Alzheimer’s disease has robbed another brilliant mind. Janeen, the renowned poet, recognized her condition and wrote, “The memory is like orbiting twin stars, one visible, one dark -- the trajectory of what’s evident, forever affected by the gravity of what’s concealed.” She heroically battled this tragic disease for over 20 years.

Born December 1935 in Canton, Ohio, Janeen became a renaissance woman of knowledge. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education, majoring in history, Master’s degree in English, and Doctoral degree in English (focused on 20th century British and American literature, dissertation involved analyzing Wallace Stevens), all from Ohio University. In addition, she attended the Summer Study Program at the University of Oxford in England, and participated in summer seminars for school teachers sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, on a range of topics from Dante’s Commedia to American Transcendentalism. In college, she was a member of the Phi Alpha Theta (Honorary History) and the Tau Kappa Alpha (Honorary Speech) fraternities.

Professionally, Janeen dedicated her life-long career, nearly forty years, to teaching primarily at Philo High School, which is also her alma mater, Class of 1953. Known as Mrs. Lichtner to her students in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, and Dr. Lepp to students of the ‘80’s and ‘90’s, at PHS, she taught a variety of classes including college-prep English, Journalism, Philosophy, Speech, Poetry, Shakespeare, Bible Lit, and Vocabulary. She usually had six or seven preps daily, which was her preference because she didn’t like teaching the same class twice daily. Her teaching philosophy focused on becoming aware of alternatives and developing the ability to evaluate those alternatives. Her role as teacher was to guide the students in the process of developing their own awareness to choose. Her motto was that no student would fail her class; as such, she worked tirelessly tutoring after school and over the summers to assure student success. Her teaching innovations were numerous, a few of which included a literary magazine, a school newspaper, a freshman honors English course, a “Writer of the Month” award, and a mini-course curriculum. Her students also entered and won (an unprecedented number) state and national poetry and writing contests.

At Philo High, she served many roles such as play director, quiz bowl team coach, National Honor Society advisor, Yearbook advisor, and English Department chair. Yet, because teaching was her greatest passion in life, her students were foremost. The gratitude that students expressed was endless. Most claimed that her courses were challenging, and that it was difficult to earn an “A.” However, students left with a love of learning and a love of the written word. By assigning challenging classics, such as Kafka’s Metamorphosis, students were prepared for college. One student wrote that in Dr. Lepp’s class, “there was so much information flying around the room that 100 ears could not possibly catch it all.” The students especially loved acting out stories, and appreciated that she treated them like adults. Dr. Lepp saved every greeting card – thousands! The most humorous were from those students apologizing for giving her a hard time in class, and later appreciating what they had. She served as a catalyst, mentor, advisor, coach, and confidence booster for both students and colleagues, leading to success. She never gave up – even when she had to commute 50 miles one way after moving to Reynoldsburg!

Janeen’s eclectic nature is evident in the numerous awards and honors that she received, a few of which include The Class of ‘86’s favorite teacher, one of the first inductees of the Franklin Local Alumni Wall of Honor, Phi Delta Kappa’s Outstanding Educator Award, and Ohio’s Teacher of the Year 1976.

Janeen was also active in her community. She proudly volunteered for the Crisis Hotline. She also served as President of the Ohio Verse Writers’ Guild, and as a member of the Great Expectations poetry society.

In retirement, she continued to provide service and to gain knowledge. For years, she taught ESL to immigrants in Columbus, a position she loved. Broadening her horizons, she took Spanish language lessons, learned to play the piano, and began oil painting. She won several awards and ribbons for her poetry and paintings. In addition, she wrote her church newsletter and traveled the globe, including Israel, Malaysia, Peru, China, Alaska, Mexico, and most of western Europe – favorite destination, Prague.

Janeen was also a trivia phenome, winning many trophies and awards from Damon’s. She wrote a mystery novel, modeled after one of her favorites, Agatha Christie. Other hobbies included judging poetry contests, enjoying opera, Broadway, and the arts, and completing crossword puzzles in ink. In Columbus, she loved the Thurber House. To her, James Thurber IS Columbus!

In addition to her accomplishments, Janeen cherished her three children: Dr. Christine Yost (Dr. Edward) of Athens, Fred (Dawn) Lichtner of Duncan Falls, and Chuck (Angela) Lichtner of Reynoldsburg. She also loved her six grandchildren: Rick Robbins, Dr. Taryn Yost (Shawn Walker), Tim (Loren) Yost, Tyler (Kassandra) Lichtner, Sara Lichtner, and Kasey Lichtner. Her legacy continues with her six great-grandchildren. Extended family members include sisters-in-law Tammy Harper and Sandy Harper, and cousin Martha Davis. Her dear friends, Marisue Pickering, Judy Quillan, Linda Van Cooney, and Jackie Wetmore also mourn her loss.

Dr. Lepp was preceded in death by her mother and father Audrey (Ryman) and James Harper; her biological father, S. Neale Blagg; her three brothers (Jim, Dick, and Bob Harper); former husbands Fritz Lichtner and Michael Lepp; and her favorite children, fur babies Rudy and Sophie.

The family sincerely and deeply thanks those phenomenal, compassionate, and loving staff at Adams Lane who cared lovingly for Janeen these last 2.5 years. They became her extended family, many even visiting her on their days off. Loving thanks are also extended to her beloved caregivers for the four years prior to Adams Lane, Sandy DeJesus and Diana Dinapoli. If desired, in lieu of flowers, donate to a charity of choice. Janeen was the most generous of humans, and there is hardly a charity that exists that did not benefit from her support. Or, even more linked to mom’s passions, reach out and help our youth to travel toward the path of success.

Per Janeen’s wishes, Farus Funeral Home of Duncan Falls is providing a caring cremation. A memorial service will be held at Farus on Saturday, March 7, from 1-3 p.m. The family will hold a private service at a later date to scatter her ashes with Sophie and Rudy.

www.farusfh.com