Janice L Ekoniak

Janice “Jan” (Dark) Ekoniak, 73, passed away quietly on March 6, 2023 at her home in Hockessin, Delaware surrounded by her family.

She was the wife of Paul Ekoniak and they shared over 44 years of marriage together.  She graduated from Fountain Central High School, Veedersburg, Indiana, and graduated cum laude from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Her career started at Attica Elementary School as a Kindergarten thru 6 Media Specialist and teacher.  She was recognized as an “Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America” while teaching in Attica, Indiana.  Jan retired after 20 years from ICI/Astra Zeneca and subsequently ended her career as an International Director for Human Resources at Quest Pharmaceutical Services.

Jan accepted Christ as her savior at age 14 and was a devoted believer and trusted God.  She often mentioned that she had survived difficult times through prayer and faith.

Jan enjoyed baking, sewing, and family activities.  She enjoyed American history and was a member of The Society of Indiana Pioneers and served as an officer in the Daughters of the American Revolution Cooch’s Bridge Chapter of Delaware.

She will be best remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sibling and as a caring loyal friend to all her friends.  She was the first of her family to graduate from college and was a dedicated employee who always gave 100% to the job at hand.  She was a patriotic lover of her country, as well as a person who lived, loved, and left a legacy of making a difference. 

She is survived by her spouse, Paul Ekoniak; her son Paul David Ekoniak and his wife Michelle Ekoniak of Moyock, NC; her stepson Robert Ekoniak and his wife Charlene Ekoniak, their son and her grandson Corbin Ekoniak of San Diego, CA; her stepson Scott Ekoniak of Sacramento, CA; her siblings Jill Holland, Jay Dark, Jeff Dark, Joe Dark, Jane Shutes, Charla Dark; Uncle Duane (Nancy) Shumaker; plus many cousins, nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents Virginia Shumaker Dark and Marvin Ray Dark, and her sister Joyce Cash.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 12:00 PM at the Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803, Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

A second service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday March 25, 2023 at Dickerson Funeral Home 303 N Main St Veedersburg, IN; with visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Pastor Dean Burnette will officiate the service; burial will follow at Kingman Fraternal Cemetery.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Daughters of the American Revolution, Virginia Beach Beacon Baptist Church, or New Century Church, Veedersburg, IN.