from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Janice Neikirk, 87, of Bucyrus, Ohio, died Oct. 10, 2011.

Mrs. Neikirk was a long time owner and breeder of Standardbreds. Her favorite time of the year was Grand Circuit week in Delaware, Ohio. Up until 2003, she only missed attending two Little Brown Jugs. Just two weeks before her death, she listened to all seven hours of the Jug Day racecast over the internet, marking her downloaded program for each race.

She is survived by her son, James; and daughters, Barb McMullen, Mary Yaussy and Karen Kent. She was preceded in death by her husband, George (a Bucyrus veterinarian); and her son, Don (a longtime trainer/driver).