Louise Berry Janes Rex

Louise Berry Janes Rex, 83, departed this life from natural causes on January 27, 2007, at her home at 106 W. Union Street, in Ligonier, where she had resided for nearly 60 years. She was born on October 21, 1923, to Harold and Louise Janes, in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Ligonier as a young girl. Louise's father was a salesman and a businessman and owned and operated a company located just north of the railroad on Cavin Street. Louise's mother, also named Louise, was a homemaker. Louise had two younger siblings: Harold "Sonny" Janes who resided in Ligonier and passed away here in 1995 and Marge, who survives and resides in San Mateo, California.

Louise graduated from Ligonier High School in 1941. She attended the University of Wisconsin and St. Mary's in South Bend but did not complete her degree until after her children were in school, when she graduated summa cum laude from St. Francis College in Fort Wayne in 1963. Louise worked as a school teacher, first as a fourth grade teacher at Ligonier Elementary and then taught high school French and 12th grade English at West Noble High School. She was chair of the English Department until her retirement.

Louise was the devoted mother of four children, each of whom survives. Michael (Andrea) Rex resides in Boston, MA, and works as a marine biologist at the University of Massachusetts. Cynthia Rex resides in Bloomington, IN, and is a course director and the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. Jennifer (Bob) Anderson resides in Fort Wayne and manages a physician's office in Goshen. Douglas (Leslie) Rex resides in Carmel, IN, and is a gastroenterologist at Indiana University Hospital.

Louise was a devout Christian and attended the Episcopal church first in Goshen and later at Lake Wawasee. Of things on this earth, she valued most her family and friends. Her nephew Tom Janes resides in Ligonier and her niece Lisa Janes at Lake Wawasee. Her surviving sister-in-law is Mary Janes. She is survived by six loving grandchildren, Nathan and Caitlin Rex, Abby Cunningham, Emilie, Grace and Kevin Rex, and 3 step grandchildren, Lindsay, Megan and Russell Van Natta. Her family included many dear friends and fellow teachers, both gone and surviving, and all of her students at West Noble Schools.

Mom, we adore you and will miss you so much. You stood by us through success and failure, joy and pain. May you rest in God's Peace until we see you again.

Services will be held at 10:30AM Wednesday, January 31, 2007, at Ligonier United Methodist Church, 466 Townline Road. Father Henry G. Randolph will officiate. Burial will follow in Oak Park Cemetery. Friends may call from 4-8PM Tuesday, January 30, at the church.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Louise J. Rex Scholarship Fund.