Mary Jane "Janie" Kiefer

Mary Jane Kiefer was welcomed into heaven by her father and mother on Thursday, December 17, 2020, at St. Paul’s Hermitage, Beech Grove, Indiana.

Janie, 81, was born February 4, 1939, in Lebanon, Indiana, to the late Louis John Kiefer and Mary Catherine (Kilfoil) Kiefer. She is survived by sisters, Patricia Ann Kiefer of Seymour, Indiana, and Sally (Jim) Williams of Indianapolis, Indiana; brother, Michael (Carole) Kiefer of Saginaw, Michigan; nieces, Cathy (Lou) Huebler, Jane (Louis) Pollard, Julie (Kevin) Conjelko, Ann (Anthony) Schneider, Sarah (Cesar) Amador, Amy (Mike) Metz, nephew, Joseph (Sara) Kiefer; many great nieces and nephews.

Janie was a vibrant and caring elementary school teacher, most recently at Northwood Elementary School, Franklin, Indiana, where she taught many years prior to her retirement in 2000. She also guided students at Seymour-Jackson Elementary School, Seymour, Indiana.

She was a graduate of Vincennes University and Indiana State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She also earned a Master’s degree in elementary education from Ball State University.

Janie treasured her many friends and cousins and lived a life of generosity and caring for family members and others. She had a heart for people and wanted to pass on her blessings to others less fortunate.

A devout Catholic, Janie was a faithful member of Our Lady of the Greenwood Catholic Church. She also attended Mass on a regular basis at other south deanery parishes. A lover of all things Irish, she will be remembered by her students for her highly personalized version of an Irish jig performed every St. Patrick’s Day.

In an effort to keep family and friends safe, all services will be held privately. The Mass will be livestreamed on the O'Riley Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/orileyfuneralhome/, beginning at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 23, 2020. The burial will take place in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Vincennes. Memorial contributions may be made to your favorite Catholic charity. O’Riley Funeral Home is serving the family. Visit www.ORileyFunerlHome.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.