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Jane Abbs

January 1, 1924 - August 28, 2017
Kendallville, IN

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Life Story / Obituary


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With ways all her own, there was only one Jane Abbs. Always loving and devoted, Jane was thoroughly dedicated by way of her unending love and commitment to family and the many children whose lives she had the opportunity to be a part of. She carried herself with grace in the most classic sense of the word which was reflected in her demeanor, yet she never hesitated to stop and give notice and to play with the little ones entrusted to her care. Jane was a hard working woman whose outgoing nature and perseverance saw her through many obstacles throughout her life. Even so, she stood firm and strong for what she truly believed, seeing the good in all. She gave tirelessly to her community, and all the more reason to love her, Jane’s life was enriched in countless ways.

Jane’s story began during a time of economic prosperity as industry and the need for consumer goods rose. While jazz dominated the music sector, men in their pan hats strolled along with swank and swagger and were quite a match for the belles of the infamous Roaring Twenties, the flapper. At the same time, Ellis Island closed its doors as an immigration entry point, leaving behind numerous memories of promises for better tomorrows. This was especially true in the lives of Lawrence Lowell and Laura Edna (Segrist) Geringer when they celebrated the 1924 New Year with the birth of their little girl, Jane on January 1.

Born in Wauseon, Ohio, Jane was raised on her family farm near Wauseon in northwestern Ohio where she shared numerous childhood adventures with her cousin and best friend, Bob who lived down the road. They together walked to their one-room schoolhouse each day until Jane’s eighth grade year when they went on to attend high school. The youngest of the five Geringer children, Jane joined her older siblings, Clarice, Kathryn, Lloyd, and Lowell. There were many chores to be done on the farm and everyone pitched in to do their part, especially during the days of the Great Depression. One of Jane’s main responsibilities growing up was mowing the yard around the house which generally took a week with the push mower she used.

As a child, Jane’s family had a Cadillac which had five seats in the back. Jane loved sitting in one of seats that folded down from the back of the front seat so she always faced backwards. Jane also fondly recalled the scrumptious breakfast meals her mother prepared for her each morning on their wood stove. Jane enjoyed taking piano lessons throughout her life and often practiced on the piano at the home of her maternal grandparents, the Segrists.

Jane’s high school years were filled with excitement and activity. She participated in as many activities as possible and with her outgoing and fun-loving nature she was a friend of many. Jane played softball and during her senior year she served as president of Y-Teens. An avid sports fan from the start, Jane loved her Detroit Tigers and would save any money she earned to buy tickets to attend at least one game each year. Jane’s time in high school also included becoming acquainted with a handsome boy by the name of Bill Abbs. Quite smitten, the two became high school sweethearts and together made for a great couple.

As the nation was on the cusp of World War II, Jane went on to graduate from Wauseon High School with the Class of 1941. For a time prior to the beginning of the war she worked as a dental assistant. Jane and Bill’s affection grew to include a deep, abiding love and on March 24, 1944 they were happily married in Aberdeen, Maryland. As a couple they soon welcomed the births of children into their lives. Scott came along followed by Jan Patrice, and James completed their family.

Jane made a good home for Bill and their family. Her primary activities included anything her children did. She was loving, attentive and involved in their lives. Cooking, particularly candy, gave Jane great joy. Most who knew Jane had the pleasure of being the recipient of her candy-making expertise. In 1958, Jane and her family moved from Etna Green, Indiana to Kendallville where Bill went on to become a longtime Kendallville educator. A self-taught skill Jane developed and became quite good at was sewing. Early in her marriage she kept busy earning extra income by sewing for others. As a family, their annual family vacation was filled with much activity which most often consisted of attending the IHSAA State track meet in Indianapolis and the Indiana-Kentucky All Stars basketball game at Hinkle Field House on the Butler campus. Not to be forgotten during this time was taking in a Red Sox baseball game in Cincinnati with sister, Kathryn and her family, as well as the College All-Star football game held in Chicago at Soldiers Stadium.

A loving and devoted wife and mother, Jane’s love for her family knew no bounds. The needs of her husband and family came before her own, and Jane would not have wanted it any other way. In 2004 she lost her beloved Bill in death, and despite her tremendous loss, Jane stood firm and strong with the love and support of her family and friends.

Jane possessed an immeasurable amount of love for children, and that love was clearly first and foremost in each of her life choices. When her children were older, Jane became a teacher’s assistant at a local daycare. In 1971, she was asked to head the newly created Kendallville Day Care Center, and the center went on to become Jane’s life ambition for the next 41 years. During this time she led the growth of the daycare from a church to newly constructed facilities in Kendallville. She was also instrumental in the development of an infant care facility at the Kendallville Daycare Center. Through Jane’s leadership, guidance, and vision, the center has become the outstanding facility it is today.

For those who didn’t know Jane well, she was a very special lady dedicated to the children she served. She knew what was best for children and implemented that knowledge with staff and children even before other early childhood professionals. Jane continued to serve as a mentor to the staff well after her retirement, visiting the centers, and attending board meetings until this past year. Everywhere Mrs. Abbs went she supported the daycare, always wearing her Kendallville Daycare baseball cap. Second only to her children, including her daycare children, Jane loved sports.

Jane had a true heart of gold that touched the lives of multiple generations of children and families. Her legacy lives on in the creativity, curiosity, and imagination of the children whose lives she so influenced. Jane never had favorites; she loved all, cared for all, and always found the good in life. There aren’t enough words to describe such a special woman as Jane, but in the hearts of those she loved and touched, she will be remembered with joy.

Prominent Kendallville resident, Jane Abbs, age 93, died Monday, August 28, 2017 at Parkview-Noble Hospital in Kendallville. Survivors include: Daughter, Jan Abbs (John Knox) of Yorktown, Indiana; son, James Abbs (Jan Harkner-Abbs) of Wawaka; her daughter-in-law, Sue (Reiske) Abbs of Kendallville; and her companion, Harry A. Hamlin; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren: Troy and Julie Abbs of Fort Wayne and their children, Caiden, Lillian, and Claire Abbs; Trevor Abbs and Melissa Machaj-Abbs of Jacksonville, Florida and their children, Josephina, Chloe, and Cohen Abbs; Bryce and Golda Abbs of Wawaka; Jordan and Jenn Knox of Yorktown and their daughter, Leia Marie; and Jessica Knox of Indianapolis; her sister-in-law, Virginia Geringer of Wauseon, Ohio. Jane was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill in 2004; son, Scott on February 2, 2004; sisters, Clarice George and Kathryn Byers; brothers, Lloyd Geringer and Lowell Geringer.

A celebration of life service will be held Friday, September 1, 2017, 2:30 PM at Hite Funeral Home in Kendallville. Visitation will be held Friday prior to the service from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM at Hite Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Orange Cemetery near Rome City. Memorial donations may be made to the Kendallville Day Care Center. Share a memory or send a condolence online at www.hitefuneralhome.com.

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