On Tuesday the 6th of October, 2026, Mrs. Jane E. Jobe was warmly and joyously welcomed into the arms of her Saviour Jesus Christ, and reunited with her husband of 56 years, Bill, after a long and courageous struggle with cancer.

Jane was a beloved mother of three: Cindy Martell of Portland, IN; Bruce Jobe (Terri) of Simpsonville, SC; and Brian Jobe (Lisa) of Pennville, IN. She also deeply loved and was beloved by her 6 living grand children (1 other preceded her to Heaven) and 4 great grandchildren in IN and SC. She is also survived by 2 brothers: Stewart Bickel (Beverly) of Modoc, IN and James Bickel (Earlene) of Farmland, IN and 2 sisters: Paula Auten of New Castle, IN and Mary Ann Kinnett (Gary) of Sulfur Springs, IN. They were a tight knit family held together by the bonds of the struggle of running the family dairy farm and crops for so many years – called the 40 Acres in Middletown, IN.

Jane was born on July 8th, 1940 to Francis and Olive Bickel (Sylvester) at their home in Middletown. She grew up and graduated from Middletown, High School in 1958. She soon enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where she served as a Surgical Technician. After honorably completing her service in 1961, she returned home and attended the Diploma program in Nursing at Ball State University, During her program, she met Bill and the 2 were married on December 19th, 1964.

Shortly after graduation, she began a long and fruitful career at Jay County Hospital (now IU Health Jay County). She worked there until retirement some 35 years later and then on and off again as a casual worker for another 10 years. She started as an Emergency Department nurse, then went on to hold multiple leadership roles as manager of the ED and ICU, Nursing Supervisor, Director of Nursing, and was frequently called on to teach and certify skills from first aid, CPR, to Advanced Cardiac Life Support. She was a highly competent, but demanding leader, often lovingly called “Sarge,” because she had a gut passion for taking the very best care of her patients and insisting all her team lived up to that goal. For some time, she was the sole certified administrator of TPA (the clot buster drug given to stroke patients) – causing her to be on call 24x7, but she never complained as she was driven by her desire to save people. She also finished her credentials by completing her B.S.N. while working full time.

Jane loved cooking meals for family and friends, and was so talented in creating Christmas treats/candies/cookies that her creations always generated repeat requests. Jane also loved her community as a long-term member of Psi Iota Xi Sorority and the evening Optimist Club - she could reliably be found selling the sausage and grilled corn at the fairgrounds. Jane loved collecting antique treasures and teacups. She also always loved to serve others. She was a long-term member of Asbury United Methodist in Portland. She was part of the Joy Circle, worked at the community foodbank, and serving meals to the aged and her fellow members. She loved her church family and her Saviour, setting a model example of a good and faithful servant.

She served her family to the very end – caring for her daughter, her granddaughter and her great grandson in her home, even while her own health was so fragile.

Rest in peace – Mom, Grandma, and Great Grammy. PSALMS 91:14-16.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations go to the newly created “JANE E. JOBE, RN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP” Fund at the Portland Foundation.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church in Portland. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the church. Pastor Josh Arthur will officiate and burial will follow at Green Park Cemetery in Portland. The American Legion Post #211 of Portland will conduct military graveside rites.

Arrangements entrusted to Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home in Portland.