Jane L. Luers

She was born March 18, 1928 in Springfield, the daughter of Dr. David J. and Anne Eklund Lewis. She was united in marriage with Byron Luers, also of Springfield, at the First Presbyterian Church on May 22, 1954. The couple were to have celebrated their 55th anniversery this year. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Dr. Annabelle Patton.

She graduated from Springfield High School, attended Mills College, and graduated from Northwestern University where she was a member of Pi Beta sorority. She received a Master's degree in clinical psychology from MacMurray College. Upon completion of her studies, she did diagnostic testing and therapy at the Milwaukee County Guidance Clinic, Milwaukee,WI.

Active in foreign student activities, Mrs. Luers served over 40 years on various international commitees. She secured housing in Springfield for foreign students during their semester breaks in Champaign in the 1960's. She was chairman of the American Field Service(AFS) for Springfield High School. She and her husband were summer hosts of the German Homestay Program Seminar International. In 1982, 1984 and 1985 the Luers hosted French students for the summer. As part of the International Student Program at UIS, they were host family for individual students from Thailand, Malaysia, China and India. In 1990, Mayor Langfelder appointed Mrs. Luers to the Springfield Commision for International Visitors. Both Mr. and Mrs. Luers were appointed as Area Coordinators of SERVAS International.

Mrs. Luers encouraged neighborhood participation in community projects. In 1962 , she organized and was chairman of the Lowell Avenue block party. Then in 1974, she was the first chairman of the Bates Avenue block party.

In the 1980's, with others, she helped the Christmas Eve luminaria display, which spread from the Washington "Park area. Over 40,000-lighted candles in white sacks lined the streets from Wiggins Avenue east to Dial Court and from South Grand Avenue south to Ash Street. This Christmas Eve Luminaria became a tradition and soon spread to other areas. A horse-drawn carriage carried families through the lighted streets.

Jane particularly enjoyed her neighbors, Washington Park, family, opera, Elderhostel, musioc, gardening, travel and swimming.

Since the 1980's, a neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt has been held with over 100 children with their parents and grandparents participating. The Easter bunny, escorted by ten motorcycles and a bagpiper invited the children to three neighborhood back yards where they gathered eggs and searched for the golden egg, followed by treats for all.

Mrs. Luers was, along with her husband, a seventy year member of the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, and was an Elder of the church. She was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhoos, a Junior League Sustainer, a member of the Anti-Rust Club, the Silk Purse Investment Club, and the Springfield Ceramics and Crafts Club.

She is survived by her husband Byron(Bud) Luers; three children, Byron,Jr. of Springfield, Elizabeth Kuehl(Mark) of San Antonio,TX. and Jonathan Luers of Austin,TX.; two grand children, Ryan Kuehl and Katelyn Kuehl; and a brother, David Lewis(Joann) of Wheatland,WY.

Friends may call Saturday June 6, 2009 at First Presbyterian Church from 10:00 AM until the time of memorial services there at 11:00 AM. with Dr. Clifford J. Hayes officiating. A memorial reception will be held immediately after the memorial service in the church's Cook Lounge.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Memorial Medical Center or Lewis Memorial Christian Village. Boardman-Smith Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.(www.boardman-smith.net)