Jane Brown

Mary Jane Brown, lovingly known as Jane, passed away July 30, 2026.

Jane was born September 15, 1963, to Harold Frances and Katherine Louise Hutson. Jane had 3 sisters, Miriam Ann Chilton, Bertha Louise Hastings, and Kay O’Dell as well as one brother, David, all deceased. Jane married Alan Brown on November 6th 1959, and he survives. Also surviving are 7 children, Shari (Doug) Lovold, Hal (Martha) Brown, Carol Brown, Kathryn (Tim) Shumaker, Brenda (Roger) Tarter, Neil Brown and Kristin Cawthon; 13 grandchildren, Dylan Tarter, Cooper Tarter, Jennifer Ellis, Cody Ellis, Sam Lovold, Ben Lovold, Tabitha Benger, Nathan Holt, Kyle Lewis, Carson Lewis, Benjamin Brown, Alison Brown and Scarlett Cawthon; 8 great grandchildren with a great granddaughter due in September and 3 great great grandchildren.

Jane graduated from Crawfordsville High School in 1954. She attended St. Elizabeth School of Nursing and became a lab technician. She worked at Culver Union Hospital before going to work for Dr. Daugherty and Dr. Eggers. She left the doctors’ office to stay home and raise her children. Once her children were raised, she went to work for Sommer Metalcraft and retired in 1993. Jane then worked for Judge Kirtley and Judge Lowhorn; she retired in 2004 to babysit her grandchildren. Jane was a kind and loving soul with a generous heart and a great sense of humor. She was always there to listen and offer guidance and support. Her family was her life, and she loved them dearly. She did her best to attend all of her grandchildren’s events, even if it meant leaving one early to get to another one! She taught us how to be brave and how to bend, and she always had a kind word to share along the way. Mom spent many years as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, as well as helping with 4-H. There were always extra kids at the house. Mom later told me it didn’t bother her having all the extra kids at our house because she always knew where her kids were! Jane loved spending time with her family, especially all of her grandchildren! Jane spent many summers canning and freezing the spoils of her garden as well as making the seasonal jams and jellies. She was a fantastic cook, and everyone looked forward to her annual tins of homemade Christmas candy! In her spare time, Mom enjoyed reading, doing puzzles, and spoiling her cat.

Jane will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Jane chose to be cremated, with Hunt & Son Funeral Home handling the arrangements.

There will be a family service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Jane requested that donations be made to the Animal Welfare League and Trap & Release program.