Jane Brown's Obituary
Jane A. Brown, 78, of Vandalia passed away at 5:45pm, Wednesday,
June 3, 2015 at Greenville Regional Hospital.
Funeral Services will be held at 3:00pm, Sunday, June 7, 2015 at
Unity Baptist Church, Hwy 185 Location, Vandalia with Rev. Robert
Weaver officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00pm,
Sunday, June 7, 2015 at Unity Baptist Church, Hwy 185 Location,
Vandalia. At the request of Jane and her family her body will be
cremated after services. Hohlt & File Funeral Home of Vandalia
is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences are
available at www.hohltandfilefh.com
Jane was born in DuQuoin, IL on February 9, 1937, the daughter
of William and Florene Cheek. On December 30, 1956 she
married Thomas J. Brown of DuQuoin, her first date and childhood
love. After their marriage Tom and Jane moved to Chicago,
then to the suburb of Lombard, IL where they lived for
approximately 13 years.
During their time in Lombard, Jane was an active member of the
Lombard Bible Church, there she served as a leader for the Pioneer
Girls, and organization for ages jr. high through high
school. In addition, she taught Sunday School for high school
girls, was a camp leader for Camp Cherith and with her husband
coordinated Bible School for age birth through adulthood. At
this time she was also a member of ECWA, Evangelical Child Welfare
Association where she as council representative. Another
phase of Jane's life began in Lombard, as she began her college
career at the College of DuPage.
Due to a change in her husband's profession, in 1971, the family
made the move to Vandalia. Other than raising four children,
Jane took an interest in the school system and ran as a candidate
for the Vandalia School Board in 1974. While on the board she
served as Secretary of the Board for 5 years. She was also elected
to Chairperson for the Kaskaskia Region. In this capacity,
Jane served on the financial committee for the State Board of
Education and became a member of the Right to Read program.
Aside from the school system, Jane was employed by Fayette
County Hospital for 17 years. At this time she completed her
degree, and Associate degree from Kaskaskia College and her
Bachelor's degree from Concordia University where she graduated cum
laude. In addition, Jane was a certified Accredited Records
Technician which enabled her to work in the medical records
department.
In September 1998, Jane embarked on the career that was her true
love, TEACHING. She began substitute teaching for the
Vandalia School District #203 at that time. Eventually, the
high school was her usual place of work. There she taught
summer school English, served as a grief counselor and loved any
roll she undertook for the students. Sports were a very top
priority for Jane and with her husband she was an avid Vandalia
basketball fan. However, all sports were very important.
On the fun side, Jane enjoyed traveling with her husband all
over the United States and playing golf and bridge. She was a
member of the Vandalia Country Club and Vandalia Ladies Golf
Association where she had served as secretary/treasurer. She
also belonged to the St. Elmo Country Club.
Her love of the Lord Jesus Christ began at an early age.
She was baptized at the First Baptist Church of DuQuoin, IL and had
her church membership at Lombard Bible.
"Mrs. Brown" as her students would say is survived by her
husband Thomas J. Brown of Vandalia; daughters Krystal and husband
Greg Hohlt of Vandalia, Stacy and husband Tim McMillan of
Brownstown, and Micki and husband Scott Durbin of Vandalia; son Tom
Brown and wife Paige of Waterloo, IL; grandchildren Kristoffer
Taylor and wife Michelle, Brett Taylor and wife Mindy, Brianne and
husband Jason Garner, Erin and husband Steve Sash, Caitlin Hines
and friend Adam Reinhold, Marion Brown and wife Brandy, Terre
brown, Devin Durbin, Mike Durbin, Chris Durbin and wife Amanda,
Madison brown, Nathan Brown, and Luke Hohlt and wife Megan; great
grandchildren Zoe, Ally, Natalie, Kynley, Sylas, Mabry, Dakira,
Sloan, Zach, Justin, and Zane.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
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