Jane Miller Smull

Jane passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 3, 2017. She was born on March 27, 1924 to Roy C. Miller and Lois Hart Miller in Ottawa, KS. The family moved to Lawrence, KS when she was 3 years old.

Jane graduated from Monticello Preparatory School in Alton, IL in 1942 and the University of Kansas in 1946 where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. Jane and several of her Pi Phi “sisters” enjoyed their sewing club for many years to come.

Jane taught at the Kansas State School for the Blind in Kansas City, KS for 6 years. She was the first Executive Director of the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired from 1952-1953. She married Dr. Ned W. Smull in 1949, and they were married for over 30 years. She was a former member of the Junior League of Kansas City, MO, the Kansas City Country Club and St. John’s United Methodist Church, and served on the Boards of the Florence Crittendon Home, the American Red Cross and the George Nettleton Home.

Except for living in Evanston, IL for 5 years with Ned, Jane lived her life in the state of Kansas. She was a lover of crossword puzzles, reading, playing bridge, and especially her Kansas Jayhawks. She rarely missed watching a KU men’s basketball game. Her family and friends will greatly miss her quick wit and unfiltered sense of humor.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, brother John R. Miller, an infant son Steven Miller Smull, her former husband Ned, and her nephew Rob Miller. Jane is survived by her daughter Sarah Smull Hatfield (Victoria), granddaughters Kristin (Nick) Switzer and Whitney (Derek) Hoefer, great-granddaughter Hannah Switzer, and nephew Rick (Beth) Miller. She was also looking forward to the arrival of her second great-granddaughter Grace Hoefer in early February. She was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

At Jane’s request, she was cremated and will be interred at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence, KS. A private family service will be held at her gravesite this spring. Memorial gifts may be made to Children’s Mercy Hospital or the University of Kansas Endowment Association.

Jane’s family would like to thank the staff at the Atriums—Overland Park and Good Samaritan Hospice for their compassionate care.