Former Vindy writer Janie Jenkins dies at 90

BOARDMAN

A popular former Vindicator feature writer has died.

Janie S. Jenkins of Boardman died Wednesday, three days after celebrating her 90th birthday. Jenkins, affectionately known to her thousands of readers simply as “Janie,” was a reporter and feature writer for The Vindicator for 42 years until her retirement in 1987. She later wrote a column for the Farm & Dairy.

As a Vindicator reporter, she covered the Canfield Fair for 17 years along with her longtime colleague, Vindicator photographer Ed Shuba, and wrote many articles on historical topics, human interest and animals.

Jenkins was an equestrian, continuing to ride into her late 80s, and kept horses at her home, Southern Park Stables, where she had lived since 1946. The property is on the National Register of Historic Places and received an Ohio Historical Marker in 2003.

She was the daughter of the late Berenice Thompson Steinfeld and Barnard H. Steinfeld, and graduated from Poland Seminary High School in 1939. She attended Simmons College in Boston.

Contributions in Jenkins’ name may be made to the Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County, Noah’s Lost Ark or Salem Humane Society.

Arrangements are being handled by Becker Funeral Homes and a memorial service will be at a later date to be announced.