In the closing days of January 2026, two families in the American heartland found themselves united in grief and remembrance, as they bid farewell to matriarchs whose lives had spanned nearly a century. The passing of Janet M. Wholaver, aged 85, of Hastings, and Helen M. Drum, aged 86, of Chillicothe, marks not just the end of two remarkable personal journeys but also the loss of pillars in their respective communities. Their stories, woven through decades of family, faith, and service, resonate with the countless others who have watched loved ones slip away after long, full lives.
Janet M. Wholaver was born on October 1, 1940, in Spangler, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Charles Sr. and Rosaline (Fiasco) Shupienus. Her early years were shaped by the values of a close-knit family—a foundation that would guide her for the rest of her days. According to her official obituary published by Moriconi Funeral Home, Janet was preceded in death by her parents, her husband William C. Wholaver Sr. (who died on July 4, 2019), her daughter Rosemarie Smarsh, sons-in-law William Smarsh and Wilfred McCombie, and daughter-in-law Sharon Wholaver. She is survived by five children—James (Liz) Wholaver of St. Mary’s, Randy (Dawn) Wholaver of Walton Hills, Ohio, Laura McCombie of Hastings, Wayne (Annette) Wholaver of Hastings, and William Jr. (Lisa) Wholaver of Patton. Her legacy extends further, as she was affectionately known as “Nana” to 19 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, a testament to the enduring bonds she nurtured.
Janet’s siblings—Richard Shupienus of Northern Cambria, Charles (Ann) Shupienus of Alexandria, Virginia, and Judy Stossel of Martinsburg, Pennsylvania—survive her as well, ensuring that her connection to her roots remains strong even in her absence. Family, for Janet, was everything. Her obituary notes, “Janet cherished her role as loving wife, mother, and grandmother with family always her priority. She loved her large family and eagerly anticipated the times when everyone could gather celebrating holidays, and special moments in each other’s lives.”
Faith was another cornerstone of Janet’s life. She was a former member of the Hastings Methodist Church before joining Cross Cut Church, where she found spiritual sustenance and community. Her faith was not just a private matter but something she passed on to her children and grandchildren, helping to shape the moral compass of generations. Professionally, Janet worked as a clerk at Topshop Supermarket and Uni-Mart in Hastings and later at H&R Block of Northern Cambria, contributing to her community in practical, everyday ways.
Her passing on January 30, 2026, at the age of 85, leaves a void that will be deeply felt. According to the arrangements shared by Moriconi Funeral Home, family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Thursday, February 5, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home in Northern Cambria. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 6, at Cross Cut Church, with Pastor David Stains officiating. Committal will follow at Union Cemetery. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Janet’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, reflecting her commitment to causes that matter.
Just a few hours away in Ohio, another family was coming to terms with a similar loss. Helen M. Drum, 86, of Chillicothe, passed away at 5:24 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, at National Church Residence in Chillicothe following an extended illness. Born on November 2, 1939, in Delaware, Ohio, Helen was the daughter of the late William V. and Alice M. Chaney Bosh. Her life, like Janet’s, was marked by devotion to family and a steady commitment to service.
Helen’s journey included marriage to Wilbur Drum on May 15, 1974, a partnership that lasted until Wilbur’s death on May 7, 1996. She is survived by her daughter Cheryl Drum of Chillicothe, granddaughters Sierra Kussart and her fiancée Olivia Gordon, Heather Sliger, and a great-granddaughter, Lola-Grace Tucker. Helen was predeceased by her husband, her parents, and her brother, William F. Bosh.
Professionally, Helen dedicated much of her career to the Chillicothe VA Medical Center, where she worked as a Nursing Assistant. Her daily efforts, often unheralded, contributed to the care and comfort of countless veterans—a legacy that will not be forgotten by those whose lives she touched. According to the Ware Funeral Home, which is handling arrangements, there will be no funeral service or calling hours, a choice that reflects Helen’s quiet dignity and perhaps her family’s desire for privacy in a difficult time.
Both Janet and Helen lived through times of great change—witnessing the tail end of the Great Depression, the turbulence of the 1960s, the rise of digital technology, and the ongoing challenges of modern American life. Their stories are emblematic of a generation that valued hard work, faith, and family above all else. The communities of Hastings and Chillicothe, though miles apart, are bound together by the universal experience of loss and the shared rituals of remembrance.
The passing of these two women comes at a time when, nationally, the importance of honoring elders and preserving family history is being rediscovered. As families gather to remember Janet and Helen, they are not just mourning the loss of individuals but celebrating the values and traditions that shaped their own lives. These gatherings—whether in the warmth of a church sanctuary or the quiet of a family living room—become opportunities to reflect on the lessons passed down and the memories that will sustain future generations.
The rituals surrounding death, from public visitations to private moments of reflection, serve as anchors in times of uncertainty. For Janet’s family, the visitation and funeral service offer a chance to come together, share stories, and find comfort in community. For Helen’s loved ones, the absence of formal services may instead foster intimate remembrance and personal reflection, each approach valid and meaningful in its own right.
In a world that often moves too quickly, the lives of Janet M. Wholaver and Helen M. Drum remind us of the enduring power of family, the quiet strength of faith, and the profound impact of a life well lived. Their legacies will continue in the hearts of those who knew them, in the stories told at family gatherings, and in the small, everyday acts of kindness that ripple outward from generation to generation.
As their families and communities pause to honor their memory, the lessons of Janet and Helen remain clear: cherish those you love, hold fast to your values, and find meaning in the bonds that unite us all.