Janelle Ruth Salkowitz-Bokal passed away unexpectedly Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 58 years old. She was born August 31, 1966, in Lorain, Ohio to Robert Salkowitz Sr. and Jennette Salkowitz. Janelle married her husband Richard Allan Bokal on December 21, 1996, and they spent 28 beautiful years of marriage together. Janelle and Richard spent over 30 years consistently choosing to love, cherish, and forgive one another. The two will continue to choose and love one another, forever, regardless of the boundaries of death.

Janelle worked at Labcorp as the Principal Lead Scientist for Targeted Cell Isolation for nearly 12 years. She achieved a PhD in Pathology, a Master of Science in Immunology, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, and was pursuing her Master of Science in Law, which she was just a few short weeks away from completing.

She loved traveling with her family and was particularly fond of the beach. She loved to spend her time shelling and snorkeling and would always call herself a mermaid. She always said her plan was to retire in Orange Beach with her husband Richard. She spent much of her life devoted to the Lord and His plan. She will forever be remembered for her great accomplishments, passion, and strength; as well as her unique, one-of-a-kind qualities as a natural leader, a kind and gentle soul, and a devoted mother and beloved wife. She will be deeply missed by those she leaves behind on this plane.

Janelle is survived by her children, Hannah and Sarah Bokal; her sisters, Shelly Dalzell and Sheryl Kitchen; her husband Richard; her stepchildren and grandchildren; her mother, Jeanette Salkowitz and her many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her father and her brother, Robert Salkowitz Jr.

Visitation will be Monday, January 27, 2025, from 4pm until 7pm, at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Greenwood.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 11am at the funeral home.

She will be laid to rest at Mt. Pleasant Greenwood Cemetery following the services.

For those choosing to make a memorial contribution, the family has suggested those be offered to either the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation or the American Cancer Society with emphasis on Pancreatic or Breast Cancer research.