Jane Stone

Every family needs someone like Jane Stone. Born with a generous spirit, she lived her life to the fullest. Jane’s love of art led her to a lifetime of being creative through cross-stitching, drawing, and arranging flowers. Her skills and talents also made her a natural when it came to decorating. She loved her family most of all and wanted nothing more than the very best for each and every one of them. Although she will be deeply missed, her warm memories will be fondly remembered.

Her story begins in the mid-1950s when James Dean was all the rage, Elvis Presley introduced the world to his Rock ’n Roll music, and the I Love Lucy show changed the way we viewed the American family. J. Howard and Norma (Van Ess) Tournell welcomed home their newborn daughter, Jane Kristin, on March 7, 1955, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Born the oldest of three children, her birth brought much happiness to the family home.

In her early years, the family lived on 7th Street and later moved to Milford NW where she spent most of her growing years. She and her siblings attended local schools. Jane went to Oakleigh Elementary School and then transferred to Union High School. Jane’s childhood was filled with many special memories that usually included her love of animals. The family always had dogs and cats and even rabbits. Jane’s love of horses began during her developing years. As a kid, she spent at Portage Lake Bible Camp where she later worked as a lifeguard. Responsible as well as outgoing, she also enjoyed working at Bylsma’s Pancake House.

After graduation, she took courses at Grand Rapids Junior college to earn her degree as an LPN. Jane’s career as a nurse brought her so much joy. She enjoyed working in the pediatric unit for many years where she always went above and beyond for her young patients. She also worked in other areas of the hospital as well where she thrived paying close attention to each and every person in her care. Later, she went on to work as a home health nurse. It was evident to all who knew her that nursing was her passion. When not working, she loved cruising around town in her Datsun with her two dogs, Willem and Fonzi.

Jane thrived in her years as a young mother. Blessed with the arrival of her daughter, Kaitlin, whom she shared with her first husband of thirteen years, Kenneth Stone, she was instantly in love. Her second daughter, Amy arrived during her marriage to Joel Smitter. Both Amy and Katie were indeed her treasures. Jane loved sharing her love of horses with the two of them. When Katie was young, she would carry her in a front pack as she went riding. In later years, she and Katie would ride their horses to pick up Amy from school! Since their area didn’t get many trick-or-treaters on Halloween, she would take the miniature horses into neighborhoods with packs on them full of candy and walk the street giving candy to all the kids. Jane was immensely proud of Amy and Katie and looked forward to their special moments together, especially sharing time hiking, going to Grand Haven, or making memories at the cottage they rented in Petosky for several summers. Jane loved holidays and made the most of each – the decorating, food, family and gifts, especially Christmas.

When she wasn’t working or with her horse, Jane held a wide variety of special pastimes. She was an excellent baker and had perfected her Swedish coffee bread recipe over the years. When it came to relaxation, she put her nose in a romance novel or gathered her kids to watch a movie. Her creative energy was reflected in her surroundings. Photography was an outlet for a time as well as drawing and finding pleasure in art. All in all, her family meant the most to her. She talked to her mom almost every day. They shared a special bond. Jane’s ability to care for others often meant she neglected her own care. She spread herself thin when it came to ensuring that everyone was taken care of resulting in her own health declining in the last few years.

Jane’s kindness and sense of humor will surely be missed. She loved treating everyone to thoughtful gifts and wanted nothing more than to share in the happy moments in life. May her children always know how much she loved them and may her memories be eternal.

Jane Kristin Stone, age 67, of Grand Rapids, passed away on September 23, 2022. Jane’s passions can be summarized by Michigan trees and beaches, especially in the northern Michigan areas of Onekema and Petoskey, as well as her creativity and horses.

Jane is survived by her mother, Norma; children Kaitlin (Matt) Stone-Piersma and Amy Smitter; sister, Kristin (Steven) Cheslek; brother, John (Maureen McMinn) Tournell; aunt, Audrey Branstrom; niece and nephew Nicole Cheslek and John Cheslek; as well as several cousins including Miriam Tournell. She was preceded in death by her father, Howard Tournell.

The service to remember and celebrate Jane’s life will be held on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 2 PM at First Evangelical Covenant Church where friends are invited to visit with her family beginning at 1 PM. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Saving Grace Miniature Horse Rescue are appreciated. To read more about Jane’s life, to share a memory or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com