of Naperville, IL
August 5, 1951 - January 17, 2024
Jane McMullin, 72, of Naperville, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, January 17, 2024. Jane was a fun-loving, caring, awesome friend to all. She was a lover of travel, politics, ballroom dancing, and chocolate desserts.
Jane was born in Batesville, Arkansas, on August 5, 1951, to Earlene Meachum McMullin and J.E. McMullin. She graduated from Batesville High School in 1969 and earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. After graduation she worked as a recreational therapist for the USO and the American Red Cross, and for a short time, was the director of a USO center in Okinawa, Japan. In 1978 Jane moved to DeWitt, Arkansas, and opened Jane's Gym where she taught exercise classes and gymnastics. The connections she developed with the DeWitt community and the friends she made there lasted the rest of her life.
In the mid-1990's Jane moved to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to become the Director of Fitness at Trinity Village Retirement Community, a position she held until her retirement in 2017. In Pine Bluff she found another loving family of wonderful and supportive friends. After a lifetime of being cold, Jane retired to Scottsdale, Arizona in 2018. She loved her life there, but in 2021, moved to be closer to her sister, Annette Smith in Naperville, Illinois.
Jane was a dedicated volunteer serving on both the Arkansas Youth Council and the Arkansas Governor's Council on Fitness and was a docent at the Clinton Library. She was a lifelong Democrat and worked on the Presidential campaigns of both Bill and Hillary Clinton, as well as the campaigns of numerous local and statewide candidates. She continued her volunteerism in her retirement at the Museum of the West and the Ambassadors of Old Town in Scottsdale, Az.
Although she loved visiting other places, Arkansas was her home. She was a supporter of all things Arkansas and was always ready to talk to anyone about the state's virtues and to show visitors around.
A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer's Association at act.alz.org or to the Old Independence Regional Museum, 380 S. 9th Street, Batesville, AR 72501.
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29 Condolence(s)
Becky Ford Doster
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Dear Annette,
Sending you my love and deepest sympathy in the recent passing of Jane. So many memories from East Side Elementary, BHS, 1st Baptist Youth, travels overseas to Scotland and to the northeastern US, to mine and Dan's wedding in Atlanta in 1976, where Jane was a bridesmaid, along with Linda (Woody) way back in 1976. Jane was bigger than life and enjoyed each day with all her being. A great friend who would always show up! She will be missed greatly by so many. Rest in peace my dear friend and thanks for all the memories. Becky Ford Doster
Denise Stringer
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Jane and I were sorority sisters/friends since our college days at the University of Arkansas. She was a true and caring friend and you could always count on her sharing her true feelings and thoughts with you. I so enjoyed our times together thru the years since college and offer my deepest condolences to Annette in the loss of her sister who was so loved by Jane. Jane now rests in the arms of Jesus and I look forward to seeing her one day.
Maureen
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Annette, my prayers are with you.
mary James
Monday, January 22, 2024
She will be missed
Johnny Baxter
Monday, January 22, 2024
Peace......jb
Jane Whitcomb
Sunday, January 21, 2024
Miss Jane will always be etched in my mind with Dad & Charlie Hamilton as the 3 Musketeers of the DeWitt City/ Lions Club Pool. She knew how to take charge of those two with a big smile and an even great laugh! Her circle of friends was large, but she always made room for more. Heaven gained a great one. I'm sure she's already giving guided tours!
Jeremy Kagebein
Saturday, January 20, 2024
Amy Watkins
Friday, January 19, 2024
Ms Jane was a very special lady to me. She was my teacher in gymnastics, swimming lessons and water aerobics. She was such a caring and genuine person.
Josh and Katie Sollars
Friday, January 19, 2024
Prayers for all! Jane’s gym was the place to be when we were kids! Lots of fun times and great memories were made.
Ronda Golden
Friday, January 19, 2024
Love and prayers for Mrs. Jane’s family!
Ann Coggin
Friday, January 19, 2024
I’m so sorry to hear of her passing. She loved our family so well. We loved Jane so much. She was always positive and hopeful and encouraging. She made the world a better place. Prayers for you, Annette.
Phyllis Orlicek
Friday, January 19, 2024
Jane was a wonder whether she was teaching gymnastics or swim skills to the young, or she was teaching exercise programs and water aerobics to the young at heart. Wherever she was, she made her community and state more educated, more healthy, and more aware.
Carolyn Berry
Friday, January 19, 2024
I have loved reading all the tributes to Jane and see her precious life in all of them. She embraced life and those in her life. I and my family were blessed by her love. She had such a gift of appreciating older people and spending time with them . Jane was not too busy to give them the best gift , her presence. She just loved people and we loved her back, I am very sorry for your loss of a sister and friend. I know she loved you so . I will miss knowing I can’t speak to her . I know we will be reunited again with Jane and all of us whose hope is in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ken Jones
Friday, January 19, 2024
Prayers of comfort and peace for all of Jane’s family and friends.
Kenton Guenzel Jr
Friday, January 19, 2024
So sorry to here the news about Jane. We grew up together and graduated high school together. She was a special lady. She will be missed.
Marty and Angie Duncan
Friday, January 19, 2024
Love and prayers
She Johnson
Friday, January 19, 2024
There are not enough words to describe Jane. She had no children of her own but claimed every child she gave lessons to. She was not afraid to venture anywhere and no task was even a challenge for her. No one but Jane would take a group of young girls from DeWitt and Gillett and go to Florida for a national cheerleading competition!!! She was loved by everyone and the best and most loyal friend that anyone could have. I am very blessed and honored that she was in my life.
Rest in peace my dear sweet friend!
Trey Williams
Friday, January 19, 2024
Janis Davis
Friday, January 19, 2024
Spent time with her in Dewitt.She was a friend to everyone.She will be miss by everyone.
Patsy Stone
Friday, January 19, 2024
My deepest condolences to Jane’s family. She was Director of Fitness at Trinity Village when I, as a non resident, started taking water exercise under her direction 20 years ago. She was truly dedicated to Trinity Village, the residents and their welfare. She spent many, off the clock, hours organizing and escorting residents to social functions. May God grant peace and comfort to her family.
MaryJane Pierce Norton
Friday, January 19, 2024
Annette - what a beautiful tribute to Jane. So many memories from high school forward. Not all who are sisters get to also be best friends and that’s one of the things I have seen between you and Jane through the years. She was amazingly talented in many ways, passionate about what she felt mattered and a lover of life. Holding you and Marvin in love and prayer.
Belvia Rodgers
Friday, January 19, 2024
Annette, I am so sorry to hear of Jane’s death, but I am thankful to know she is at peace. She was a passionate woman who loved deeply. Thoughts and prayers for you.
Betty Johnson
Friday, January 19, 2024
Jane loved people and people loved her. She lived to help others. she had a giving heart and will be remembered by all that knew. I bet she is in heaven helping others
Her sister will be in my thoughts and prayers
Katie Williams
Friday, January 19, 2024
Cathy Pierce Thomason
Friday, January 19, 2024
Jane was my docent the first time I visited the Clinton Library. Her knowledge was immense. I grew up in Batesville as well and knew her then. She and Annette were friends of my sister. We spent many fun hours together. Jane was a great friend and I will miss her.
Linda Velvin Narisi
Friday, January 19, 2024
Jane & I started our 50+ year friendship as Physical Education majors and we were sorority sisters in the Alpha Delta Pi beautiful house at the U of A in Fayetteville. We sat together many a Sunday in church services. We shared a thousand career ideas in fitness, elementary PE, teaching swimming to kids & adults, Aquafit for seniors and Ballroom dance. Jane could really dress up like a New York model for our big band jazz dances at UCA. Jane was always going to visit someone in the hospital. I know Jane’s mom really appreciated the many years of care that Jane spent taking care of her. Jane & I actually visited three of the Hawaii islands back in the late 70s. She was a fabulous tour guide for Orlando & Disney World as well as Scottsdale Arizona. I will miss having Jane calling me & dropping in to spend the night with me as she traveled all around. She had a friend or three in every town. She loved to celebrate all the holidays especially Halloween…. She loved to entertain children & adults alike for all occasions.
Jane will be missed by hundred if not thousands of folks. Thanks Jane for the memories & a long friendship that I shall not forget.
Laurie Eason
Friday, January 19, 2024
She was a wonderful friend to me and to many others. I have such treasured memories of our adventures shared over the years in Arkansas, Arizona and New Jersey.
Jackie Gregory
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Jane is the definition of life lived to the fullest. Always a delight to be with, she made everyone’s life richer with her presence. Rest in peace my dear friend,
Ted Allmon
Thursday, January 18, 2024
I met Jane @ our church. She came over & introduced herself to me. I had no idea what a special friendship we were going to have. Immediately l started calling her "Lady Jane" and she loved it! She was such a giving person. She would do anything to help someone. Women like Lady Jane don't come around that often. I'm so glad our paths crossed.She will be missed!