ILION – Janice “Jan” Ingersoll, 86, formerly of Ilion, passed away October 31, 2020, in Virginia. Jan was born December 30, 1933, in Elkhart, IN, the daughter of Allen and Bessie (Troyer) Ingersoll and grew up in Ilion, NY. She had one brother, Aldon, who passed away March 8, 2011. After graduating from Ilion High School in 1951, Jan worked in town before joining the US Navy in January 1955 and served until her discharge in 1959, receiving the Good Conduct Medal. Jan was stationed at the Pentagon, where she assisted with the office operations of an Admiral who was blind. She later transferred to the White House Social Office during President Eisenhower’s second term. As a demonstration of her character, Jan was placing seating name cards when President Eisenhower and an aide entered the room and observed her for a time. Jan, working diligently, did not stop to acknowledge the President, who turned to his aide to ask, “Who is that little girl?” Jan worked at the White House until her early retirement in 1981. She very much valued and enjoyed her time at the White House and the seven Presidents and First Ladies with whom she served. During event rehearsals, Jan was sometimes asked to substitute for a First Lady. Jan had been a member of the Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield, VA, and enjoyed Christian radio on SongTime USA. She lived an unassuming life and spent most of her retirement relaxing in Rehoboth Beach, DE, with her beloved pooches and kitties. Surprisingly, she became a baseball fan and rarely missed a Washington Nationals game. Jan was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, great-aunt, and friend. She is survived by her niece and four nephews, including John Ingersoll, Cheryl (Ingersoll) Quartararo and her family, and Peter Ingersoll, his wife Leah, and children Mallory and James. She is also survived by several cousins. The Ingersoll and Quartararo families wish to extend a heart-felt thank you to Jan’s longtime friend, Carole Farrar, who took such great care of Jan during her waning months. Friends and relatives are invited to attend Jan’s Celebration of Life and Graveside Committal Service, at 1:30 p.m., on Friday, May 14, 2021, at Armory Hill Cemetery, Benedict Ave., Ilion. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Janice, or add to her online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Herkimer County Humane Society, 514 State Route 5s, Mohawk, NY 13407. Envelopes will also be available at the cemetery service. Jan’s service arrangements are entrusted to her former neighbor, family friend, and Funeral Director, Don Applegate, at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home, Ilion.