Obituary index

Janet Lee (Schleder) Semple

[November 22, 2025]  MELBOURNE BEACH, FL — Janet Lee (Schleder) Semple, 88, of Melbourne Beach, Florida, a faithful servant of the Lord, was ushered into heaven peacefully on November 14, 2025.

Service: A Celebration of Life and Graveside Service for both Janet and Gene will be held jointly at a later date.

Obituary

Janet Lee (Schleder) Semple, 88, of Melbourne Beach, Florida, a faithful servant of the Lord, was ushered into heaven peacefully on November 14, 2025. Born on July 24, 1937, in Hartsburg, Illinois, and lived in Lincoln, Illinois for 60 years. Janet lived a full and vibrant life marked by love, purpose, and devotion to her family and community. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Janet was married to the late Eugene “Gene” Earl Semple for 64 years.

A thoughtful and generous woman, Janet carried the values of hard work and compassion with her throughout her life. She built a meaningful career in the medical field, where she spent over three decades as a medical administrator and bookkeeper. After marriage to her beloved husband, she poured her heart into creating a warm, welcoming home centered around family and faith. Family was everything to Janet—she cherished time spent with her four siblings and their spouses, children and grandchildren and was intentional in making every visit, call, and celebration special.

Known as a strong woman and tireless worker, Janet was happiest in the kitchen, preparing meals that brought loved ones together. She loved hosting gatherings, attending her grandchildren’s sporting events—whether traveling across the country or cheering from home—and rarely missed a chance for an adventure. She traveled to all 50 states.

Her zest for life also shone through simple pleasures: playing weekly bridge with friends, hosting garage sales, and participating in the women’s club and her church communities in both Lincoln, Illinois, and Melbourne Beach.

Janet is survived by her children Lorilei (Jim) Palmer and Tony (Dawn) Semple; her grandchildren Dylan (Taylor) Palmer, Jake Semple, Cole Semple; and her great grandchild, Alvin Eugene Palmer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Semple, in 2022. We can rejoice as they are now reunited in Heaven.

A Celebration of Life and Graveside Service for both Janet and Gene will be held jointly at a later date. If you would like to honor them in a special way, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org), a nonprofit that they supported continuously through the years.

Janet’s legacy of love, strength, and generosity will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate to know her.