Yorktown, Virginia – Janice Rae (Seibert) Whittenberg of Yorktown, Virginia passed away peacefully on June 18, 2025. Janice was born on January 26, 1947 in Mt. Carmel, Illinois to Clifton and Raydell (Goldsmith) Seibert.  She grew up in Mt. Carmel, graduating from Mt. Carmel High School in 1965 as student body president. Janice went on to earn a master's degree from Southern Illinois University, where she was also president of the Sigma Kappa sorority. She met her husband, Stephen Whittenberg, at SIU, and they married on December 21, 1969, at Zion Lutheran Church in Mt. Carmel.

Over the years, Janice and Stephen lived in many places due to military service, including Oklahoma, Texas, Germany, Illinois, West Virginia, Kansas, Rhode Island, and Virginia. Janice enjoyed a 45-year teaching career, retiring from Yorktown Elementary in 2018, and taught in various locations in the U.S. and abroad. After retiring, Janice devoted her time to family and friends and was active in the Alpha Pi chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, volunteering with various organizations.

Janice is survived by her husband Stephen Whittenberg of Yorktown, Virginia; daughter Jennifer Armstrong (Brian) of Bristow, VA; son Matthew (Mayara) of Glen Burnie, MD; and five grandchildren, Stephen, Annabelle, Beatrice, Caroline Armstrong and Atlas Whittenberg.  Janice was blessed by this wonderful family and cherished every blessing granted to her with a thankful heart.

Janice was a kind and patient teacher, deeply devoted to her students and passionate about helping them discover the joy of reading. She had a genuine interest in everyone she met—never a stranger, always eager to hear their story. Janice lived a life of selfless service, offering her time and care to family, friends, and her community. In every way, Janice embodied what it means to truly love and care for others.

A visitation will be held at W.J. Smith and Son Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 25 from 11:00 – 1:00.  A burial will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the ADK Alpha Pi Chapter in support of their Salvation Army Shoe Drive that Janice was passionate about. Checks can be made to ADK Alpha Pi Chapter and mailed to Daphne Goodrich, 4773 Captain John Smith Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185.

A burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 1:00pm.  For more information, please contact Jennifer Armstrong at armstrong.jen82@gmail.com