Jamestown Resident Janice Kay Kamletz Dies at Home at 71

Janice Kay Kamletz, 71, of Jamestown died Tuesday evening, March 17, 2026, at her home on the Jamestown Reservoir, where she had lived with her lifelong partner, Lloyd "Butch" Gardner.

Kamletz and Gardner first met in Jamestown in 1971 and continued their relationship throughout the decades, eventually purchasing the reservoir home together. From that property, she spent her years watching geese, ducks, deer, pelicans, fox, hummingbirds, and what the family described as "all sorts of wildlife on the lake outside her door," occasionally catching the rare sight of an eagle searching for food along the banks.

Her obituary, prepared by Eddy Funeral Home, remembers her as someone who held a deep admiration for the natural world, for trying to grow flowers, and above all for her pets. Nine animals, including Honeyface, Charmin, Coco, Misty, Lacy, Scrubby, Toby, Sammy, and Romeo, described as "only the cat," preceded her in death. At the time of her passing, she shared her home with Sharon, Pepper, Charlie, and Ginger.

The family asked that those who knew her not grieve at length. Her obituary carried her own words on the matter: "she is finally getting the rest she never got when working nights." She also left a request for those she left behind: to "Wonder" at the world, love and respect every living creature, and always do what is right and do their best.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, March 27, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Jamestown, with Pastor Jennifer McDonald officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at Eddy Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Highland Home Cemetery in Jamestown. Eddy Funeral Home is handling all arrangements.

Kamletz was born January 10, 1955.