Jane Louise (Showalter) Watts

Jane Louise (Showalter) Watts was born in Morrow County Ohio, on June 22, 1942, the daughter of the late Jack and Grace (Mosher) Showalter.

Jane graduated from Cardington High School in the Class of 1960. Later, she received her bachelor’s degree from Asbury College in Wilmore Kentucky.

She died Sunday, July 25, 2010 in Marion Ohio.

On July 27, 1973, Jane married George Watts, in Morral, Ohio, and he survives in Morral.

In addition to her husband, she will be missed by her daughter Amanda Jean Watts (W. Kip Rettig); her grandchildren Calvin Boyer, Briar Watts-Rettig, Christopher Rettig, and Conner Rettig; her sister Jean (Larry) Smith; her brother Carl Showalter; 9 nieces and nephews; and her many pets, including her special dog “Baby Girl.”

Jane was a teacher for Ridgedale schools for thirty years, before she took on a second career serving for twelve years as the Marion County Dog Warden. She served on the Ridgedale School Board, and continued to serve the community as the Mayor of Morral since 2007. She was an avid supporter of youth programs, including 4-H.  Her voice and her laugh echoed through barns and arenas, as she served as announcer for most horse shows in Marion County.

Jane was one-of-a-kind and any attempt to describe her would be inadequate.  She took on the tough jobs and did them well.  She took in those who were struggling – whether a horse, a dog, a kid, or a village – and saw potential where few others even bothered to look.  She had a heart as big as the universe, and she shared everything that she had.  She will be remembered and she will be missed.  Her legacy of generosity and compassion will live on in the work of her family, her friends, her students, and the many individuals who knew her.

It has been said that “when I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.”  Jane did just that.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, July 31st at 1 PM at Ridgedale High School.  The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the “We Remember Al Fund” (c/o The Marion Community Foundation), the “Jane Watts Memorial Fund” (c/o The Marion Community Foundation), or to the family (c/o Boyd Born Funeral Home).

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Boyd-Born Funeral Home in Marion.