Jane MacMillan (Prether) Acri

Jane MacMillan (Prether) Acri

Loving Mother & Grandmother to All -

Jane MacMillan (Prether) Acri, 80, died peacefully on Good Friday, April 19, 2019 at Messiah Village in Mechanicsburg.   She was born on Wednesday, October 19, 1938 in Springfield, OH, the daughter of the late J. Rankin and L. Lenora (Skinnell) MacMillan.  Jane was the widow of Patrick H. Acri, Sr., with whom she shared life for nearly 35 years.

She is survived by four daughters: Jonelle Darr and her husband, Tom, of Camp Hill, Jennifer Powell and her husband, Phil, of Middletown, MD, Jody Nace and her husband, Bob, of Fayetteville and Jill Lynn and her husband, Tracy, of Enola.  Jane’s first child, Gary, died in infancy.  She is also survived by her former husband, Richard L. Prether and five stepchildren:  Jeff and his wife, Rachel, Patrick, Jr. and his wife, Pam, Susan and her husband, Randy, Steve, and Lisa.

In addition, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren survive, including two in the Harrisburg area, Dylan Shearer and Colton Lynn, and a third, Andy Powell, who resides in Frederick, MD with his daughter, Ariana.  Jane was a loving mother and grandmother to all, often noted for her sweet and gentle smile.  Jane and her siblings were especially close, traveling together each summer until recent years and writing faithfully to one another about their activities each week.   Her brother, John MacMillan and his wife, Jeannette; her sisters: Janet Sessions, Judith Quiram and her husband, Dennis; and her niece, Linda Sharrett and her husband, Kevin, also survive.

Jane was a long-time member of Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, where she served as a ruling elder, directed the junior choir, and was a substitute organist.  She also taught piano privately.  Her daughters can attest that theirs was a musical family, with each learning an instrument, with her husband Pat, a professional drummer, or earlier with her first husband, Richard, leading in song.  Jane received her Bachelor of Science from Penn State University and retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a manager in the Bureau of Career and Technical Education.  Accessibility to vocational education and family-sustaining employment were especially important to her, having previously worked at P.R.O.B.E., a career development program for displaced homemakers and single parents.  She also worked at Farmers Trust National Bank in Carlisle.

All are welcome to join Jane’s family at her gathering of family and friends on Monday, May 6, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. with a celebration of life service to begin at 11:00 a.m. at Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, 444 Silver Spring Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050; with Reverend Jane K. Anabe and Reverend Donald B. Wahlig officiating.  Jane’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at her church following the service.  Interment will follow in Rolling Green Cemetery in Camp Hill.  Cremation was private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in celebration of Jane’s life can be made to Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, 444 Silver Spring Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050.

Jane’s family has entrusted her care to Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Jane’s full obituary, view her memorial video, and sign her official guest book at Buhrig.com.