WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Jane Harker Tallmadge, age 61, died peacefully in her sleep, at her home in Sturgis on Thursday, August 19, 2021.
Jane was born November 24, 1959 in Sturgis to Larry W. Harker and the late Judy (Lamont) Harker.
Jane is survived by her husband Brian Tallmadge, daughter Olivia (Andew) Oberc, and her two beloved grandchildren, Genevieve and Griffin, all of Sturgis.
She is also survived by her father, Larry W. Harker, brother, Nick Harker, and four sisters Ann (Loren) Happel, Susan (Rick) Sleeper, Patricia Hagadorn, Stephanie (Ken) Schau, of Klinger Lake, nephew Nicholas Hagadorn and nieces Allison and Madeline Harker.
Jane attended Nazareth College, Kalamazoo College, and the University of Michigan. She recently retired from Sturgis Public Schools, where she was a teacher and librarian for 31 years and taught with her four sisters and her brother-in-law.
Jane’s life was marked by many lasting friendships, devotion to her family, and spending time at Klinger Lake. She enjoyed traveling, cooking, reading, and her pets. She described herself as a “Proud Harker Girl” and she loved Sturgis.
Incidental to her life, were her many medical struggles that began 36 years ago, and lasted until the end. She defied death many times with her positive attitude and unwillingness to give up. She was always the most popular patient among the nurses on her floor, and a favorite of some of the best doctors in the country. She took time to learn the life stories of her caregivers. They were always in her prayers.
Jane would like to send a special thank-you to the teachers at Constantine Public Schools who pulled together to cover her medical insurance, when she was diagnosed with cancer as a first-year teacher. She would also like to recognize the many friends and colleagues at Sturgis Public Schools where she spent “the best years of her life.”
Jane was a faithful member of Holy Angels Church in Sturgis, and later St. Joseph’s in White Pigeon. She held a special devotion to our Blessed Mother, regularly praying the Rosary to give her comfort during her many medical struggles.
The Mass of the Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, August 24th at the Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis. The Rev. Father Raul Gomez celebrant. Cremation will follow the Mass. There will not be a visitation; instead, according to her wishes, a celebration will take place at a date and place to be determined. She will be laid to rest next to her mother at Sturgis Memorial Gardens in Sturgis, on the land where her father played as a young boy.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis is entrusted with the arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Jane’s memory consider the charity of one’s own choice.
Jane’s departure is a terrible loss for all of those she left behind, but she is in the company of all of her loved ones who went before her. She will be waiting for us with open arms and a big smile.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyuneralhomes.com where we encourage relatives and friends to share memories and leave condolences for the family.
