Jane Cornelia Blackman Korth passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2018 in Chelsea, Michigan at the age of 88. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Jane was born on November 16, 1929 in Bridgeton, New Jersey, the daughter of Paul and May (Smith) Blackman. She grew up and attended high school in Alexandria, Virginia. After receiving a B.A. degree from Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, Virginia, she worked as a secretary at the Pentagon. Jane married Merrill Walter Korth in 1955 and they shared 58 wonderful years together. Before retiring in 1989, she worked at Johnson Controls in Manchester, Michigan for ten years. Jane was an avid walker, an enthusiastic reader and a lover of puzzles. She was fond of camping and enjoyed being surrounded by nature. Jane was a proud member of Manchester United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women and the Shakespeare Reading Club. She helped create and maintain the tranquil meditation/memorial garden at Manchester United Methodist Church and her ashes will be placed there beside the ashes of her devoted husband, Merrill.
Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Merrill. She is survived by her four children: David (Sherie Defranceschi) Korth of Northville, Michigan; Susan (Ian) Macpherson of Richmond, Virginia; Barbara Shepler (Tony Black) of Golden, Colorado and Richard (Leah) Korth of Manchester, Michigan. Also surviving Jane are six grandchildren: Sydney Korth, Vanessa Macpherson, Jeremy Macpherson, Logan Shepler, Nathan Korth and Daniel Korth. In addition, Jane is survived by her brother Robert S. Blackman of Lake City, Florida and her cousin Ethalinda Blackman of Midland, Michigan.
Jane’s life will be celebrated at a private family ceremony in the spring.