Obituary of Janet Rinehart Batease

It is with deepest sorrow, the family announces the passing of Mrs Janet Rinehart-Batease on Friday, March 31, 2023 at Nathan Littauer Hospital.

She was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania on August 27, 1952 to the late Elizabeth "Betty" and Joseph "Tony" Cerulli.

Janet spent her younger years in Amsterdam and attended Wilbur Lynch High School before attending Mildred Elley, where she earned her business degree in accounting. This was one of her proudest accomplishments. She worked in the medical billing field for a number of local companies including NY Dialysis. She returned back to Pennsylvania and spent a number of years working in management, however, she always managed to be drawn back to Amsterdam.

In 2012, after 40 years of being apart, Janet reunited with the love of her life and on August 25, 2012, she became Mrs. George Batease. Janet and George spent the last ten and half years enjoying life with their blended families. They enjoyed quiet moments at home, vacations to the beach, camping with friends and family, and most recently just returned from a three month RV road trip to Florida.

Janet’s most treasured moments included spending time with her family. This included many friends that she also considered family. She loved immensely. She loved to cook “Sunday sauce”, enjoyed her pool time in the summer, parties with the sisters and brother, and loved to sew. She absolutely adored her dog Marley and her cats, Stinks and Colata. As the oldest of her siblings, Janet was the leader of “her pack” and she always reminded them she was the “older” sister and always had to make sure we were in birth order for family photos. This was the leading joke with her siblings and she was very proud of it.

In addition to her husband George, Janet is survived by her son Craig Rinehart of Clewiston, Florida, daughters; Melissa Rinehart, New Oxford, PA, and Jaime (Jason) Woods, Gloversville, NY. She also leaves behind her siblings (in birth order, because she would want it); Joan (Frank) Petroski, Nanticoke, PA, Regina Cerulli, San Rafael, CA, Joseph (Claire) Cerulli, Allentown, PA, and Linda (Sam) McKarm, Scott Township, PA. Her grandchildren include Desiree (Savana) and Zachary Rinehart, Taylar Staub, Alexis Belker, Aidan-Lee Bechtel, Jaimason Woods, and Dade Bates. Great grandchild; Zendaya Harris and soon-to-be great-grandchild Ronin Derrick, who is expected on her birthday. She also leaves behind her life-long friend Nancy Demaria-Krutz and many nieces and nephews of which she shared a great bond with.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant sister Patricia.

Please hold your loves ones a little tighter, check on your family often, tell them you love them, and embrace the love that is given to you. You just never know what you have until it’s gone. Each day is a gift!

Calling Hours will take place on Thursday, April 6, 2023 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Betz Rossi & Bellinger Funeral Home 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010. A Service of Remembrance will take place immediately following the calling hours.

In lieu of flowers donation can be made to a charity of your choice.