Jane Hart, 78, of Newton, died Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at her home. Born in Lakeland, Florida, November 11, 1944, the only daughter of James and Helen Blankenship McLain, Jane spent the first half of her childhood growing up on a farm along the Ohio River near Bayou, Kentucky, and the last half in Paducah, Kentucky. After graduating from Murray State College in 1966 with a degree in English and American History, she began her thirty-year teaching career at Pana Junior High School. She continued at West Richland Junior High and later at schools in Jasper County including Central, NCHS, and West Junior High where she was Scholastic Bowl coach for several years. After retiring in 2008, she continued to enjoy life by playing golf, playing bridge and pinochle, reading, going for walks, exploring old cemeteries, and watching her four grandsons grow. Jane was a member of Central Christian Church and Jasper County Retired Teachers Association.
Jane is survived by one son, Lee (Mollie) Hart and grandsons, Evan and Drew, of Chicago; and one daughter, Brooke (Tyler) Krauss and grandsons, Lain and Dathan, of Freeburg, IL. She was known as “Bam” to the Hart boys and “Gammie” to the Krauss boys. Also surviving are two brothers, Bill (Cookie) McLain and Jim (Jan) McLain of Paducah, Kentucky. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, May 14, 2023 at Central Christian Church. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 15, in the church. Burial will be in the West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorial gifts in honor of Jane may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Crain Funeral Home, Newton is assisting the family with arrangementsOnline condolences may be offered at www.crainfuneral.com.
