Mrs. Janice S. Kerchoff

Batavia - Mrs. Janice S. Kerchoff, 76, of Batavia, an interpreter at the Genesee Country Museum, in Mumford, and former School teacher, died Friday, June 13, 2008 at Buffalo General Hospital.

Mrs. Kerchoff was born February 4, 1932 in Brooklyn, a daughter of the late John and Gertrude (Laffin) Straley.

Mrs. Kerchoff graduated from Houghton College in 1953 with a bachelor's degree in Spanish and elementary education.  She earned a master's degree in elementary education from SUNY Geneseo.  She began her teaching career in Friendship, NY then began teaching at the Batavia Cooperative Nursery School in 1969 and retired after 23 years.  After her retirement from teaching, she worked part-time as an interpreter at the Genesee Country Museum. 

Mrs. Kerchoff was active in church affairs recently as a member of Northgate Free Methodist Church and previously as a member of the First Wesleyan Church of Batavia.  She was a member of the Prime-timers group at church.  On behalf of the Northgate Free Methodist Church, she delivered cookies to new attendees, earning her the nickname "Cookie Lady".  At the Wesleyan Church, she taught Sunday School and led the YMWB (Young Missionary Workers' Band).  She was a member of the former Women of Kiwanis.

She is survived by her husband, William D. Kerchoff, whom she married December 26, 1952; two sons, David (Maryanne) Kerchoff of Lancaster and Steven Kerchoff of New Dehli, India; two daughters, Cindy Kerchoff of Erie, PA and Jane Kerchoff of Geneseo; a sister, Polly (Gordon) Udall of Rhode Island; a grandchild, Elizabeth Kerchoff of Lancaster; a brother-in-law, Richard Riley of Pennsylvania and several nieces and nephews. 

She was the sister of the late Joan Riley.