Janis Elaine Bitner Saltsman, 89, of Lanexa, VA, passed away January 2, 2026.
She was a reserved person with a dry sense of humor. Janis was doggedly determined to excel at everything she took on.
She achieved academic success with her RN from The University of Pennsylvania, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Maryland and her Master’s in Public Health from John Hopkins. Janis went on to complete a long and diverse career. She retired as Director of Nursing for the State of Maryland health department. This was the highest position she could hold without a doctorate.
When she wasn’t working or raising a family, she was crafting. She felt she had to have something to do all the time. Hand knitting sweaters and machine knitting blankets were her hobbies for a while. Janis crocheted chemo caps for Kennestone Hospital to give away to Chemo patients. She volunteered there for 20 years.
Janis tatted crosses to give away to members of the church who were struggling. Her last, all in craft was quilting and machine embroidery. She gave away quilts and blankets to graduating seniors in her neighborhood and cancer patients through Stitching Sally’s.
Janis is survived by her three children, Glenn Saltsman (Dawn), Jean Forbes (Rick) and Jeffrey Saltsman (Wendy); a brother, George Bitner; a brother-in-law, Malvin Saltsman (Ellie); grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She will be dearly missed by all who knew her and were recipients of her generosity.
A funeral service will be held 6 p.m. Tuesday, January 6th at Vincent Funeral Home, 417 11th Street, West Point, VA 23181. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service at the funeral home Interment will be 1 p.m. Thursday in North Bend Cemetery, 112 Strawberry Alley, North Bend, PA 17760.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to West Point United Methodist Church, PO Box 610, West Point, VA 23181.
