Janice Marion Buchko

Janice Buchko nee Marshall, 72, of Griffith, IN, formerly of Gary, IN died at 9:37 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2013 at St. Anthony Hospice, Crown Point, IN.

She was born on May 7, 1941 in Gary, IN, the daughter of Clement and Leona Marshall.  She married Michael J. Buchko on September 2, 1961.

Janice studied Early Childhood Development at Purdue University, achieving several academic honors, earning her degree in 1997.  She started the first preschool at St. Mary School in Griffith, IN and introduced learning to hundreds of young children for over 30 years until she retired in 2009.

Janice had a curious and adventurous spirit.  She was an avid reader and had a life-long love of learning.  She instilled this in her own children and continued her passion through teaching.  Janice served as Eucharistic Minister and exemplified her faith through her many hours of volunteerism at St. Mary Church in Griffith, IN.  She was a kind, gentle-hearted role model to everyone who knew her.

Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Michael J. Buchko; two sons, Michael A. Buchko of Friendsville, TN, Joseph C. Buchko of Griffith, IN, and one daughter, Marian L. Buchko of Crown Point, IN. She was preceded in death by her father, Clement "Chip" Marshall, her mother, Leona Morlock Marshall, and her daughter, Amy Lynn Buchko.

Friends may meet with family on Tuesday, May 14 ^th from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m at White Funeral Home located at 921 W. 45 ^th Ave. in Griffith. The wake service will be on Tuesday Evening at 7:30pm.The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Griffith, IN on Wednesday, May 15 ^th at 10:00am with Fr. Theodore Mens celebrating.  Burial will follow at Chapel Lawn in Schererville. Special donations in Janice's name may be made towards either St. Jude Children's Hospital or St. Mary School.

White Funeral Home in charge of arrangements 219-924-4100

www.whitefuenralhomeofgriffith.com