Jane M. Reynolds

Jane Mikesell Reynolds peacefully passed away on November 4, 2026. She was born to Jane (Terhune) and Byron Mikesell in Richmond, Indiana on June 27, 1939. She met her future husband, Bruce, during their sophomore year of high school and graduated together from Richmond High School in 1957.

Jan led a fulfilling life of devotion to her husband and family, of raising three boys, and pursuing varied interests from being a guide at Conner Prairie to being a highly recognized quilter who was an often in-demand speaker at conferences and more. She organized a quilting group after the 9/11 attacks to commemorate those killed and the heroes involved with the rescue mission. It is now on display at the 9/11 Memorial Museum in NYC.

Bruce and Jan both went to Indiana University and married in June of 1958. She and Bruce moved to Indianapolis in 1961 along with their first two sons. Soon, a third son joined and completed the family. She served as president of Parent Teacher Association at the elementary school the boys attended.

The family moved to Carmel in 1970 and soon Jan became a familiar sight in her red station wagon carting the three boys and their friends to and from practices, music lessons, the community pool, and many other activities. She and Bruce rarely missed one of their sons’ sports games or other extracurricular activities.

When their sons had all graduated from high school Bruce accepted a position with United Telephone Company in Florida and they moved to the Orlando area in the company of their loyal dog, Tiger. While there Jan organized and ran many social obligations that came with Bruce’s work responsibilities.

In 1992 Bruce and Jan transferred to Mansfield, Ohio and together pursued many community and volunteer activities. In 1997 they retired and set up their retirement home in Carmel, Indiana. Jan jokingly told her loving husband, “I married you for life, but not for lunch!” noting her own interests and activities. They did volunteer together at the Carmel Clay Public Library and at IU Health North Hospital.

In 2020, the Reynolds family formed the TimelessMusicProject with a mission to perpetuate classic, timeless, live and recorded jazz. They also founded the Hoagy Carmichael Award for Excellence in Jazz Composition at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. Jan served as the unofficial matriarch of the community that grew from these concerts.

The family greatly thanks the nurses and care team that took care of Jan over the last number of months, allowing her to live comfortably in her own home until she passed.

Jan is survived by her their three sons Scott, Greg, and Mike. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband Bruce, and her parents and brother.

In keeping with Jan’s wishes the services will be private and family only. A Celebration of Life will be held soon for a public tribute to her and her great life.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Indiana Entertainment Foundation in the name of Jan Reynolds to support the TimelessMusicProject. (www.indianafound.org). You may select the “In Memory of Jan Reynolds” option in the “My donation is for” toggle. Or via checks payable to Indiana Entertainment Foundation (noting “Jan Reynolds” in the memo line or cover letter) and mailed to: Indiana Entertainment Foundation; c/o Buchanan Group; 2020 Montcalm; Indianapolis, IN 46202.