Nicole Lynn Jannings

Nicole Lynn Jannings (Jones) died at 7:25 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Fort Wayne, Indiana at 56 years young, and 11 days shy of her 57th birthday. She was hand-in-hand with her husband of 28 years, Jason Elwood Jannings, and surrounded in prayers at the time of her passing.

Born in Rockford, Illinois on July 8, 1969, Nicole was a 1987 graduate of Harlem High School. She hated her math classes and was an active member of the dance team. Her high school friends remember her big personality, infectious laugh (it’s a cackle, and her three daughters have the same one), her unmatched humor and wit. Nicole’s favorite childhood and adult pastime was laying out in the sun and being in the water—pool, lake, beach, she loved it all. Nicole also enjoyed spending time in her garden, specifically tending to her peonies.

Nicole had a robust career in sales and spent the last several years of her career working as a REALTOR®. Her clients remember her as being genuine, supportive, and modeling integrity during the home-buying and selling process. Nicole also had a knack for decorating, so much so that in 2010, she opened a primitive decor and antique shop in Galveston, Ind. called Nik Naks. Her employee uniform was a bright yellow t-shirt with the store name written on the front in blue sparkle puff paint that she created herself.

For the last year of her life, Nicole was over the moon to be a grandma to her first grandchild, Graham Elwood DeJesus. Graham was the light of her life during an otherwise rough year in her battle with cancer.

Nicole is preceded in death by her grandfather, Frank Schultz in 1973, grandfather, Richard Stone in 2009, and grandmother, Mary Ruth Stone (Vanhorn) in 2005, who Nicole called her guardian angel and who she always saw in the butterflies in her garden.

Nicole is survived by her husband, Jason; her children, Mary Olk, Emily DeJesus (Jannings), and Paiten Jannings; her son-in-law, Damon DeJesus and grandson, Graham; her parents, Rick and Sally Jones (Schultz); her brother, Scott Jones and sister-in-law, Nyna Sethi Jones; her sister-in-law, Nicole Schenk (Jannings) and brother-in-law, Jon Schenk; her mother-in-law, Carolyn Jannings (Freiburger) and father-in-law, Loren “Buck” Jannings.

Nicole will be remembered for her humor, the way she loved her family, her ability to make everything fun, and for being a one-of-a-kind woman. Her family will never forget how she decorated (and redecorated) the house, especially with her signs full of funny and inspirational quotes. While many of her signs include sayings about love, laughter, and family, the ones about wine and the dogs, and the inappropriate bathroom signs are ones her family will never forget.

A Memorial Visitation will be held at 4:00 PM on Friday, July 10, 2026, at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Pine Valley, 1320 East Dupont Road, (46825), followed by a Celebration of Life at 5:00 PM.

Please join the Celebration of Life Service Livestreamed at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c26065181226627 or by selecting the service tab below.

Fond memories of Nicole may be shared at www.mccombandsons.com for the family.