Jane Schrode

Jane Ann Schrode was a woman of high standards. She lived her life with great attention to her responsibilities as a wife, mother, and grandmother. Never one to disappoint, she gave much of her time and resources to the family she loved. In her free time, she also enjoyed volunteering and supporting the programs of her home church community. Revered for her feisty nature and fierce independence, Jane will be deeply missed by her many special friends and family.

Looking back on the 1920s, it was a period of sustained economic prosperity. By 1922, over 500 commercial radio stations were in operation in the US, the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated by Former US President William Howard Taft and the Great Railway strike to protest wage cuts began that July. With the media focused on jazz music and celebrities, Joseph and Ellen (Gregg) Hogan welcomed home a newborn baby girl, Jane Ann born on March 19th in Coverdale, Pennsylvania. Born the seventh out of eight children, her birth brought great joy to the family home.

Jane lived a typical childhood of the times where the father worked as the breadwinner and the mother remained as a homemaker. For a time, her father managed a coal mine in their small mining community. During the Depression, however, the family relocated to Philadelphia for employment opportunities. Jane’s sister, Dorothy contracted Meningitis at the age of fourteen. Jane and her sister, Eleanor, would sit on her bed and keep her company while she was quarantined. Unfortunately, Dorothy later died of the disease. As a young adolescent, Jane enjoyed walking to South Park in Pittsburgh, as well as visiting the local pool, roller skating, and visiting orchards. She was a good bad-mitten player winning many area competitions and awards. She inherited her love for gardening and nature from her father. Her family grew up with large family gatherings for each and every holiday but especially at Christmas time. Jane attended Catholic elementary schools and graduated with the Class of 1942 from Bethel High School. Eager to continue her studies, she enrolled at the Pittsburgh Business College for secretarial training.

Common for women her age, she went to work to support the war effort in WWII. She landed at the US Mint in Philadelphia, during this time she was fixed up on a blind date with, Thomas Schrode, a friend of her sister's boyfriend. He was enlisted with the Army and stationed nearby at Fort Dix, New Jersey. They dated for roughly a year and before joining in marriage on July 16, 1945. The happy couple settled on Emerald Avenue in his hometown on the south side of Chicago. Ambitious and determined, Tom earned his high school diploma before using his GI bill to obtain certification in accounting from Northwestern University. He made a lifelong career as an accountant for the IRS. Together they raised four wonderful children; Tom, Ellen, Bill, and Jim in Lansing, Illinois, a typical post-war neighborhood.

As a mother, Jane was a strong believer in rules and responsibility. Often seen as the disciplinarian, she instilled in her children the value of a strong work ethic and foundation of faith. Education was a top priority and she and Tom ensured they were provided the best opportunities in the local Catholic school system. They also attended St. Ann's Parish in Lansing as a family. For enjoyment, Jane enjoyed crafts, ceramics, sewing, and paint by numbers over the years. She cooked many traditional meals, but was well known for her turkey dinners! Although Jane softened some as a grandmother, she still enforced her strong beliefs of focusing on the importance of hard work and achievement as well as taking life seriously.

Once Tom retired, they relocated to Pensacola, Florida and built their home on Perdido Bay in 1974. Always up for any adventure, the two of them took every advantage to travel together. They toured Europe and went on several cruises. Sadly. Tom was diagnosed with cancer and passed away far too young. During the next several years, her family grew to include several great-grandchildren. In 2005, Jane moved to Grand Rapids to be closer to her daughter, Ellen. She moved into Lincoln Square Apartments where she participated in Wii Bowling and card games. Jane’s true passion during her lifetime was helping others in any way she could and spending quality time with her beloved family. Determined, dutiful, and self assured, Jane leaves a legacy of working hard to gain success in life. There is no doubt that her loved ones will fondly remember her for the many special memories she shared with them over the years.

Jane Ann Schrode, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend passed away August 6, 2019. Jane was born March 19, 1922, in Coverdale, Pennsylvania, to the late Joseph and Ellen (Gregg) Hogan. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Gerald Schrode; and 7 brothers and sisters. Jane enjoyed traveling and gardening. She volunteered in several charities including hospitals and the church where she attended. Jane is survived by her children; Thomas (Pamela) Schrode of Albuquerque, NM, Ellen (William) Wilkerson of Grand Rapids, William (Jean) Schrode of Olympia, WA, James (Marion) Schrode of Volkach, Germany; grandchildren; Elisabeth (Kris) Doerr, Katherine (Dennis) Drake, Anne (Brian) Wilson, Colleen Schrode, James Schrode, Patrick Schrode, Oliver Schrode; great-grandchildren; Michael, Keira, Ava, Nora, and Grayson. Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Baruch Senior Ministries, Faith Hospice or St. Vincent de Paul.