Jane Freeman Heneisen

Jane Freeman Heneisen, 98, of Evansville, died August 20 at Woodlands Convalescent Center in Newburgh. Jane was a retired teacher, having taught for 29 years in the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation. She was a graduate of Evansville College (UE) and later earned Masters Degrees from both Peabody College and Indiana State University.

Jane was past president of the American Association of University Women, Public Library Friends, Evansville Coalition on Adult Literacy, the Pi Chapter and Indiana State President of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and Evansville Retired Teachers Association.

In 1984, she received the University of Evansville National Alumni Certificate of Excellence in recognition of her professional and personal achievements. In 1991, she was awarded for her leadership in the local branch of AAUW.

Jane was a 50+ year member of the Evansville Chapter of the Eastern Star and of the Isis Temple Daughters of the Nile.

Following her retirement from teaching, Jane served 12 years on the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Public Library Board of Trustees, 3 years as president. She was recognized for her tireless efforts during the planning, construction and dedication of the Red Bank Branch Library. Jane also served as President of the Indiana Library Trustee Association and was appointed by Governor Orr to the Indiana Library Certification board.

Additional membership included Pi Lambda Theta Educational Honorary Society, and local, state and national Retired Teacher Associations. She organized and directed a Tour Guide Service for the Evansville Retired Teachers Association, and led the establishment of a Scholarship Fund for future teachers with proceeds from that service. She was a lifetime trustee of this Scholarship Endowment Fund, benefiting education students at UE and USI.

Jane taught and inspired thousands of Evansville children during her career. She traveled extensively throughout the US, Europe and Scandinavia with her husband Edward. Forever an educator, Jane and Ed took their grandchildren traveling throughout the Midwest and South. She was deeply loved and will be missed very much, especially by great-granddaughter Grace Aldrich, age 14, who devoted so much of her time and love to Jane during the five years she lived at Woodlands.

Jane is survived by a daughter, Bonnie Fritts of Evansville, grandchildren Robin Aldrich and James Clark, both of Evansville, 2 additional great-grandchildren, Mikayla Aldrich, Grace and Kimberly Clark, of Evansville. Jane is also survived by her identical twin sister Luise Schnakenburg of Evansville, niece Jane Ellen Chesney of Texas, Barry Schnakenburg of Evansville and Naples, FL, and other nieces and nephews.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Edward D. Heneisen in 1991.

A private entombment will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at Alexander Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Evansville Retired Teachers Scholarship fund or to the Red Bank Branch Public Library of Evansville.