Jane Pehle (Jackson) Garison

Jane Pehle (Jackson) Garison

Jane Pehle (Jackson) Garison, age 92, of Mechanicsburg, and formerly of Hot Springs Village, AR, passed away on Thursday, November 10, 2022. Jane was born on Sunday, September 21, 1930, in Chicago, IL to the late George Lowell Jackson and Marie Lydia (Ganzer) Jackson. Jane was the widow of Charles William Pehle, Jr., whom she married on October 16, 1954, and who died on January 25, 1992; and of John “Jack” Proctor Garison, Jr., whom she married on November 14, 1996, and who died on August 24, 2012.

Jane’s survivors include her three daughters: Ann Pehle of Mechanicsburg; Beth Mines and her husband, Richard, of Macon, GA; Kris Grasse and her husband, Mark, of Bristow, VA; her four grandchildren: Richard Andrew “Andy” Mines of Brooklyn, NY; Erin Grasse of Riverside, CA; Daniel Mines of Decatur, GA; Kate Grasse of Lawrence, KS; her sister, Julia Palmer of Atlanta, GA; a niece and nephew; and close family friend, Sharon Dick.

Jane graduated from Hyde Park High School, in Chicago, IL as part of the class of 1948. Her lifelong passion for reading and learning led her to pursue a degree in Liberal Arts/English from Monmouth College, Monmouth, IL graduating in 1952. She devoted time to raising her daughters and with the support of her family, returned to graduate school at the Chicago State University to complete a Masters in Library Science. She worked as a Media Specialist in public education. She lived in Indonesia for two years while Charles consulted with a local steel mill in Cilegon and they enjoyed travelling together during this period of distance from family and friends. Upon returning to the states, she served as Children’s Librarian Director and retired from the Hammond Public Library in Hammond, Indiana. Retirement led her to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas where she continued to enjoy playing bridge and golf, and was both a member with later leadership roles in local chapters of AAUW, PEO and Kappa Delta Sorority.. Jane was an active member of churches throughout her life, serving on the Session of the United Presbyterian Church of South Holland in the 1970s. She was also a founding member of Woodlands Presbyterian Church and later Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines in Hot Springs Village Arkansas. Jane enjoyed wonderful times with her friends, was a loyal friend to many, and always encouraged her daughters to “be a friend maker”. Her example of academic excellence, leadership, creativity, effortless organization, and independence were qualities valued by her family, friends, colleagues and community. Her spirit of encouragement and Christian faith were noticeable constants throughout her life.

Jane added to her longevity by twice surviving breast cancer, before facing dementia in her later years.

Interment will be in Dolton, IL at Oakland Memorial Lanes alongside her husband of 37 years, Charles.

While Jane’s family will not be accepting flowers, they invite those wishing to celebrate her life with a memorial contribution to make them to AAUW, 1310 L Street NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005, www.aauw.org; Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines, 275 Asturias Drive, Hot Springs Village, AR 71909, www.kirkinthepines.org; or Monmouth College (Illinois), 700 E Broadway, Monmouth, IL 61462, www.monmouthcollege.edu.

Jane’s family has entrusted her care to Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421. Read Jane’s full obituary, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign her official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.