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Janet Irene Bidwell

July 13, 2017

Janet Irene Bidwell, 92, Lake Ariel, passed away peacefully in her home after a lengthy illness on July 13^th with her family by her side.  Her husband of 71 ½ years is Charles Bidwell.

Born February 23, 1925 and then raised in the Green Ridge section of Scranton, she was the daughter of the late Aaron M and Gretta Lanyon Dippre.   Between the ages of 15-16, Janet sang on WGBI radio in Scranton.  During World War II Janet worked in New Jersey for the Office of Dependent Benefits for the United States Government.  On April 9, 1944, while taking the bus home to Scranton, she met the love of her life, Charles S. Bidwell, who was coming home on furlough to see his family.  They were married December 25, 1945 at the Lakeville United Methodist Church in Lakeville, PA.   They were blessed with three children Barry, Robert and Pamela.  Barry was killed in 1971 in Vietnam and his remains were never recovered.  In the 70’s Janet went to school and earned her LPN and she worked in various hospitals until her retirement in 1987.   When Janet and Charles retired they returned to Lake Ariel to the Bidwell family homestead in the Village of Arlington.  They returned to the church in which they were married and were active members until her passing.   On December 25, 2015 the Scranton Times published a front page article celebrating their 70^th anniversary and love story.

Also surviving are a son Robert and his wife Patricia of Perryburg, OH; a daughter Pamela Maurer and her husband Robert of Lake Ariel;  four grandsons Jeffrey and his wife Jennifer, Barry, Robert Maurer and his wife Gloria and Brian Maurer and Stephanie Flierl;  the joys of her life were her nine great grandchildren Madison, Kate, Ryan, Elliot, Jeremy, Xander, Benjamin, Liam and Stella.

She was preceded in death by her son Barry and her brother John Phillip Dippre.

A celebration of Janet’s life will take place Tuesday at 11am in the Lakeville United Methodist Church 431 Purdytown Turnpike (Rt. 590) Lakeville by Rev. Fred Snyder, pastor.

Friends may call Monday from 4-8pm in the James Wilson Funeral Home 143 Gravity Rd. Lake Ariel.

Private interment, Arlington Cemetery.

For directions, to share a memory or to leave your condolences for the family please visit www.jameswilsonfuneralhome.com.