Jane F. Farmer

Jane F. Farmer St. Joseph, MI – Jane (Foley) Farmer, 88, of St. Joseph, MI, passed away on Monday, January 4, 2009 at home. A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 8, 2009 at 1st United Methodist Church, 3003 Leco Ct. St. Joseph, with the Rev. Harold Filbrandt officiating. Internment will take place at a later date in North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. Friends may visit with the family an hour prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church. The funeral arrangements are entrusted with Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. Memorials may be made to the 1st United Methodist Church. Jane was born to Bernard and Viola (Cootes) Foley on October 23, 1921 in Virginia, MN. She moved to Benton Harbor in 1929 and was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School and Michigan State University. She married Robert Farmer on July 24, 1943 in Benton Harbor and was a devoted wife sharing many activities with her husband. Jane loved and touched the lives of countless 2nd grade children while teaching at Fairplain West Elementary. Jane retired after 30 years of service with the Benton Harbor school system. Jane was an active member of 1st United Methodist Church of St. Joseph, a past President of the Civic Benefit Club, a member of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel and the 39er's. Her interests were many including reading, genealogy, athletics and she particularly enjoyed being with her three grandchildren and following their and their friend's activities. Jane leaves many close friends and neighbors most especially two close circles of friends whose enduring friendships have been very meaningful in her life. Jane is survived by her two sons, Robert (Susan) Farmer of St. Joseph and David Farmer of Key West, FL; and grandchildren – Matt Farmer of Alameda, CA, Amy Farmer of Aurora, CO, and Dr. Erin Farmer of Arlington Heights, IL and great granddaughter Lola Ann Carhart of Aurora, CO. Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, her father, Bernard, her mother, Viola and her brother Thomas Foley. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.