of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Portland, IN, passed away on January 29, 2015.  She was 89.  She was born April 2, 1925 in Jalapa Indiana to Norval and Clara (McIlwain) Lawrence. 

Jane attended Hendricks grade school, graduated from Sweetser High School in 1942, then graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Education in 1946. While in her first teaching job in Richmond Indiana, she met Eugene Gillum, and spent the rest of her life celebrating their marriage and partnership in life. They were married in Angola, Indiana on November 28, 1948.  Jane taught school in the Speedway School System, while Eugene was in Indiana University Medical School.  They moved to Portland in 1954, and were proud to help build Portland into the vibrant community it is today.  Jane was active in many local organizations- Friends of the Limberlost, Tri-Kappa Sorority, the Cincinnatis League, the Portland Garden Club and loved to play bridge with her friends.  

Jane was an artist all of her life- she collected Victorian books and children’s illustrations.  She loved to walk in the woods or on the beach, and captured the birds, flowers and trees that she passed in her china painting.  She was an active supporter of the Gene Stratton Porter Museum, because she shared Porter’s  love of Indiana nature.  

She and Eugene were a vibrant part of supporting the Arts and celebrating the local history of central Indiana.  They were well loved as “the Country Doctor and his wife” at local Heritage events. She enjoyed singing in the First Presbyterian Church of Portland choir, and shared Eugene’s love of local musicians, and going to Bear Creek for musical theater.  

Together they traveled the world, and shared their experiences and collections with their friends and family in Portland and around the country.  As much as they traveled, Jane was always happiest in her farmhouse, harvesting from her garden and making a pie every day from whatever fruit was in harvest.  Family and friends will enthusiastically remember her Indiana style family dinners, with fried chicken, her famous pickles, and a piece of pie ala mode (at Gene’s request.)

Surviving are one son Larry Gillum of Lake Villa, Illinois, one daughter, Mrs. Dan (Janene) Centurione of Ann Arbor, MI,  and five grandchildren. 

Jane and Eugene’s life were celebrated in a memorial in Portland in May, 2014.    Memorials for Jane can be directed to  Friends of the Limberlost, PO Box 571, Geneva, IN 46740 or First Presbyterian Church, 402 North Ship Street, Portland, IN  47371.