Janice Dean

Janice E. Dean, 89, of Elkhart, passed away on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Esther’s House, Center for Hospice Care. Janice was born on September 4, 1933, to Charles and Jeannette Linke in Seymour, IN. She married Leon A. Dean on June 22, 1957, in Seymour, IN. He preceded her in death on July 16, 2015.

Janice graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, where she studied journalism and was an editor at the Indiana Daily Student. Her lifelong passion was teaching and learning, and she went on to earn her master’s degree in education and taught at Crown Point High School and Elkhart Memorial High School. At both schools, she was a newspaper, magazine, and yearbook advisor as well as mentor to countless students and colleagues. She was twice named Elkhart Teacher of the Year and honored as Journalism Teacher of the Year by the Indiana High School Press Association.

Beyond the classroom, Janice was always in service to her community, on the IU campus, Crown Point, IN, and in Elkhart. Appointed to the Elkhart Public Library board, she served for 13 years, as president of the board and holds the record for its longest-serving trustee. She was past president of the Four Arts Club. She was an adult Sunday School teacher and active member at Hillcrest United Methodist Church. In retirement, she mentored young students in local schools. She was a relentless editor but generous friend, always offering a listening ear and understanding heart.

Janice is survived by her children Jessica (Lowell) Walsworth of Sturgis, MI., Bruce (Tracy) Dean of Chicago, IL., Martin (Carma) Dean of Elkhart, IN and Alicia (Jim) Carlson of Indianapolis, IN; grandchildren, Christopher (Kathryn) Dean, Alex (Casey) Dean, Charles Dean, Eric (Jessica) Dean, Jonathan (fiancée August Vicsik) Dean, Matthew Perry (Maggie Callison), Grace Carlson, Sarah Carlson and Jacob Carlson; 11 great -grandchildren, Caleb, Christian, Charity, Jonah, Keziah, Olivia, Melissa, Joshua, Theo, Perry, and Sam; her brothers, Charles (Audrey) Linke of Travelers Rest, SC., and Richard (Ann Cerrone) Linke of New York, NY; her brother-in-law Lyndon (Pat) Dean of Waynesville, NC and much-loved nieces and nephews; her special caregiver, Cheryl Jerez, and her cat, Frank. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Allison Perry, sister-in-law Marian Ekin and her husband, Floy, and sister-in-law Rosemary O’Brien.

Visitation will be from 2- 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at Hillcrest United Methodist Church, 4206 East Bristol Street, Elkhart, IN 46514 where a memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. with Rev. Tracy Rose-Love and Rev. Kerry O’Brien officiating. Memorial donations may be made in memory of Janice to Elkhart Public Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN 46516 www.myepl.org or the Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545 www.cfhcare.org Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 is assisting the Dean family. Online condolences may be sent to the Dean family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com