Janet Harding Ruslavage

Janet Harding Ruslavage, 93, of State College, formerly of Brookville and Clarion PA, passed away June 24, 2023, after a brief illness. Jan was born January 20, 1930, in Montclair, NJ. She attended the Kimberly Academy and Vassar College, graduating with a degree in Economics and Political Science in 1951. Jan started her career with the American Guernsey Cattle Club, traveling around the country promoting Golden Guernsey milk and dairy products, a pioneer as a professional woman in the 1950’s. In 1958, Jan married Gene Harding and moved to Brookville, PA where they established Maplevale Farm and Market and the Guernsey Maid Restaurant. After Gene’s untimely death in 1974, Jan raised their five children, and maintained the farm and market. She served on the Brookville School board for eleven years, including three as president, and was the first female director of the American Guernsey Cattle Club. In 1984 she married Charlie Ruslavage and moved to Clarion. She and Charlie traveled the world and were avid Penn State fans, attending countless football games and sporting events. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church. At age 54 Jan started her final work chapter with the Pennsylvania Dairy Princess and Promotion Program, tirelessly promoting the dairy industry and mentoring hundreds of young women for 30 years. Jan cherished most her time with family. She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Gene and Charlie. She is survived by her sister, Judy Costikyan, five children; Jeff (Cindy) Harding, Jim (Pam) Harding, Judy (John) Ligo, Jennifer Harding (Jeff Norris) and Greg (Lynn) Harding, eleven grandchildren,: Jay, Zach, Luke, Andy, Maggie, Kaitlin, Molly, Emily, Kristy, Sam and Ben, five step-children; Mickey, Chuck, Suzanne, Rob and Amy Ruslavage; ten stepgrandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at McKinney d’Argy Funeral Home in Brookville on Friday, July 7 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, and at First United Methodist Church in Brookville on Saturday, July 8 from 10:30 to 11:30 am. A memorial service will follow at the church. Throughout their lifetimes, Jan and Gene were passionate about and committed to the dairy industry, in particular supporting youth and young adults. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Jan and Gene Harding Family Memorial Fund at The Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation, https://www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/memorial-fund. or by mail to The Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation, Room 407, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

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