Janet Riegel

Mrs. Janet Riegel, age 85, of Hoschton, passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.  Her celebration of life will be a private family affair on June 7, 2025.

Janet Kay Riegel was born in Wooster Ohio on March 27, 1940, the first child of Harold and Grace Steiner. Janet’s brother Duane joined the family two years later to the day.  Grace Irvin was one of seven children, while Harold Steiner was one of 3 children. Harold was in the oil distribution business, delivering fuel oil and gasoline to the local farmers.

Jan was always an outstanding student in school, excelling in music and English. Her parents bought her a new Baldwin Acrosonic piano after she demonstrated musical talent, and her love of music flourished. That 80-year-old piano is now in the home of one of Jan’s grandchildren. While Jan was in high school, the family also purchased a Baldwin organ. She soon mastered this, as well, and became the organist for her church, the East Chippewa Church of the Brethren. Janet graduated from high school with honors. 

After High School, Jan enrolled at Manchester College to study English Education. While there, she sang in the Manchester Acapella Choir and eventually became the choir’s organist and pianist.  Jan met Don Riegel on a blind date arranged by mutual friends during a Valentine’s event at Manchester.  They both enjoyed the date, though Jan later wrote in her diary that Don was “a nice guy, but too quiet for me.”  Nonetheless, a long-distance relationship ensued and continued for four years while both finished their studies.

On June 16, 1962, Don and Jan married.  The wedding took place at the East Chippewa Church of the Brethren, followed by a cake and ice cream reception and a week-long honeymoon in the New England states.  Jan took a job in Kettering, Ohio as a middle school English teacher and taught for four years until Charles was born.  Later in life she worked as an assistant librarian at Centerville High School. 

Jan enjoyed being a dedicated stay-at-home mom to Charles and Cynthia.  During that season she gave piano lessons and volunteered in many capacities at Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren.  Her passion and gift for music found a place at the church, where she played the organ and piano and directed the choir for 32 years.  When she retired from these roles in 2012, the church commissioned Mary McDonald to write an anthem in Jan’s honor. That anthem, “Sing and Shout Together, Children,” is still sung by choirs today.  Jan loved honoring God through music and service to others. 

During their golden years, Jan and Don traveled to Europe, took many cruises, and spent ten winters in Sun City West, Arizona.  While there, Jan was active in the Lord of Life Lutheran Church choir, the sewing club, and the computer club and volunteered at the Lutheran Thrift store, preparing children’s clothes and toys for store sales.

Back in Dayton, Jan remained active at Prince of Peace Church, enjoyed sewing and embroidering mementos for her family, and graciously hosted “Riegel Week” for her children and grandchildren every summer.  Jan’s legacy includes two children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, with two more on the way! She was beloved by family and friends and will be sorely missed. Her family, however, knows she is in Heaven, likely leading a choir of angels and certainly worshiping Jesus, her Lord and Savior.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Grace Steiner

Janet is survived by her husband of nearly 63 years, Donald Riegel; her children, Charles Riegel and his wife Teresa, and her daughter Cynthia Klaus and her husband Rick.  She also had 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Jan’s favorite charity, Heifer International, or to the Alzheimer’s Association, in her honor.

Braselton Funeral Home, 5257 Hwy 53, Braselton, Georgia 30517

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