Janice Lee Semler

Janice Lee Semler was born September 25, 1932 in Mustang, OK to Richard and Eunice (Shaw) Bowlware.  She passed away on December 22, 2023 at Victorian Estates Assisted Living in Yukon, OK, surrounded by her family.  Shortly after graduating from UCO, with a degree in Elementary Education, Janice met the love of her life at Springlake Amusement Park in OKC.  That young man, Al, was a sailor attending the Navy Airman and Preparatory school in Norman, OK.  They continued to correspond through letters and were married a year later in June of 1954.  After his discharge, they moved to New Mexico and began their teaching careers, first in Cimarron, N.M. and then Alamogordo, N.M.  While in Alamogordo, Al and Janice adopted 2 children, Michelle and Bruce.  Those kids won the lottery when it came to parents, no child could have had a better life.  We didn't realize until later in life how much we took for granted.  We just assumed all families were like ours.  As we grew older, we realized how special our family was and that it was a rare treasure to have parents that loved you like ours did.  In 1964, the family moved to Yukon, OK.  Janice was employed by the Yukon Public School System as an Elementary School music teacher until her retirement.  She also taught private piano lessons, played the organ at the First Baptist Church of Yukon for over 40 years, and then the piano at the Yukon Church where she and Al attended until their deaths.  She lived at Victorian Estates for the last 2 years of her life, played the piano every day at 4, and "the girls" would come down and sing those precious melodies.  Janice was active in the community and her church, and nothing was more important than spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was the best mom, grandmother and great-grandmother one could ever hope for.  Janice is survived by daughter, Michelle Ellison and husband Dale of Yukon; grandchildren, Bryan Ellison and wife Paige of Yukon, Christi Cina and husband Shawn of Yukon, Heather Ellison of Oklahoma City, and Colby Ellison and wife Savanah of Yukon; great-grandchildren, Ashton Snow, Noah Cina, Harper Ellison, Rhye Ellison, and Emma Ellison, all of Yukon.  She is also survived by a host of nephews, nieces, family and friends and a loving church family.  Janice was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Al Semler of Yukon, son Bruce Semler of Yukon, her parents Richard and Eunice Bowlware of Yukon, and brother Arlie Bowlware of Yukon. Celebration of Life services will be held at Yukon Church on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.