Obituary of Janet G. Bilz

Janet G. Bilz of Independence, age 80, passed away on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Hospice in Edgewood, KY. She was born in Independence, KY on July 4, 1943, to the late Ray and Kathryn Gilvin. Janet graduated from Simon Kenton High School and has remained close to her classmates of the 1961 graduating class. She took care of her family and home for 15 years, then worked for State Farm Insurance where she retired as a service representative. She loved to travel and cruise to islands in the eastern and western Caribbean. Her favorite cruise was to Alaska! Piecing together quilts and making children’s clothing to donate to multiple ministries became her passion over the last 20 years. She also loved playing Euchre, Canasta, Hand and Foot, Dominos, and her monthly Bunko games. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Janet leaves behind her loving children, Lisa (Doug) Stricker and Michael (Lisa) Reckner; siblings, Deborah Stephens and David Gilvin; beloved grandchildren, Kaitlin Stricker Blackburn, Drew (Kayla) Reckner, Benjamin Stricker, and Lauryn Reckner; great-grandchildren, Cayden, Kinsley, and Madelyn; nieces, nephews, and cousins; 4 sisters-in-law and 1 brother-in-law;  who will cherish her memory. She also leaves behind her loving companion, a golden doodle, she named Louie.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving husband of 49 years, Valentine “Sonny” Bilz and her great-grandson, Kamden Reckner.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Chambers and Grubbs Funeral Home, 11382 Madison Pike Independence, KY 41051. The funeral service will begin at 12:00 PM at the funeral home. Immediately following the service, Janet will be laid to rest next to Sonny at Independence Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made in her name to a charity of your choice. A gathering of friends and family will be held after the committal service. Please contact the family directly for those details. To share a memory or to leave an online condolence to her family, please visit the tribute wall above.