Janice “Jan” Y. Thomas-Knecht, age 89, of Eatontown, NJ passed away peacefully on August 20, 2026. Jan grew up in Somerville, NJ, graduated from Somerville High School in June,1954. She was immediately employed at Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation in Raritan, NJ (A Johnson & Johnson Subsidiary) from 1954-1961. Jan was the daughter of Kenneth and Janet Yeager.
She was married to Rev. Will Thomas in 1961. They met at a youth conference at Blair Academy, a place which would be of special interest all their lives. They served at Summerfield United Methodist Church on Staten Island NY, Epworth UMC in Elizabeth NJ, Bishop Janes UMC in Basking Ridge NJ for 20 years, and lastly Blairstown UMC for 3 years, after which they retired to their home at Culver Lake in Branchville NJ. Her husband Will passed away in June,1998.
Jan was a pioneer in the church, because she worked outside the home. Most minister’s wives didn’t do that, but she wanted her children to have a college education which they couldn’t afford otherwise. She worked for the Park Commission at the Environmental Education Center, a local doctor’s office with Dr. Schlessinger, and at the US Golf Association while they lived in Basking Ridge. After moving to Blairstown, she worked in the college counseling office at Blair Academy and loved every minute of being with all the young people. The Class of 1990 dedicated the yearbook to her for all the help she gave the students assisting them with their college applications.
Jan was active in each church they served, including the United Methodist Women’s Group, the Chancel Choir, the Bell Choir, and other committees in the church. She loved people and kept in contact with many friends and relatives. She loved to read, knit, do needlework, and watch her favorite baseball team, The NY Mets, play baseball.
After Will passed away, she moved from Culver Lake to Hunters Crossing in Three Bridges, NJ. While there, she volunteered at Hunterdon Medical Center and served for 9 years, giving 3060 hours of service at the information desk. She also worked in the Patient Liaison office. She joined the Whitehouse United Methodist Church, during which time Rev. Shawn Calendar Hogan became the pastor of the church and they became close friends.
In 2010 at age 75, Jan moved from Flemington to The Pines at Whiting, a continuing care facility in Whiting NJ, where she became very involved in the community. She met a gentleman from Ridgefield Park NJ, John Knecht Jr., and they were married in the Town Hall of the Pines in April 2012. Her friend of many years who also lives at The Pines, Janie Preiser, was her matron of honor, and her granddaughter Mackenzie, then 16 years old, was her Bridesmaid. They went to Cape May for their honeymoon. Jan and John were the Welcoming Committee to new and potential residents at The Pines. Again, the Methodist Church played a big part in her life, and she and John never missed a Sunday.
Jan and John enjoyed 12 years of marriage. After John’s passing, Jan moved from Whiting to Eatontown, where she spent her last years at Brightview Senior Living to be closer to family. She was able to enjoy the daily activities right up until the end.
She is survived by her brother, William Richard Yeager and his wife Elizabeth Yeager. Daughters Wendy Wilt and Patty Krees and their husbands, Larry Wilt and Brian Krees. Six grandchildren and their spouses: Thomas and Tilden Wilt, David Wilt, Timothy and Rina Wilt, Mackenzie and Mark Naude, Kevin Krees, Scott and Alexa Krees, and six great grandchildren: Hazel, Emerson, Waylon, Wendy, Gibson, and Cooper, with 2 more on the way.
A Celebration of Life and Interment will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the United Methodist Churches at umc.org. Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank, NJ has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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