Doris Jane Carpenter

Doris Jane (Hamm) Carpenter passed away peacefully on August 16, 2024 at the age of 88. Her remaining children Rick and Micki were at her side. She was born in Quincy, Indiana on March 28, 1936 to Bert and Ruby (Sutherlin) Hamm. While Doris was her given name, she preferred to be called Jane or “Janie.”

She attended Quincy High School through her Junior year, but due to a fire, was graduated from Gosport High School in 1954. She was an avid cheerleader throughout her high school tenure. On June 28, 1954, she was married to Kenneth Ray Carpenter for 67 years who preceded her in death on March 22, 2021.

Her work history began in High School as a waitress for Old Trail Inn. After her marriage, she concentrated on being a stay-at-home mom to her four children: Randy, Ricky, Gary and Micki. As Randy was nearing high school graduation, she returned to the work force at the First National Bank in Coatesville, Indiana where she remained for several years, leaving to work along-side her sister Jean at the Greencastle Auto Parts store. This position transitioned to Coatesville and eventually, she became a bookkeeper for Magic Circle Corporation where she was affectionately known as “Aunt Jane.” She remained in this position until her retirement.

Jane’s greatest passion was providing for others, and she was an outstanding cook. She consistently created meals that were different and rarely if ever had a “miss” in the kitchen. She loved canning and always had a supply of these garden items on hand for any occasion. It remains apparent that whenever anyone had some of “Aunt Jane’s” creations, they always wanted more.

She was an avid bowler and participated in league play for many years at Varsity Lanes in Greencastle. She had her own distinctive “hop” or “skip” in her bowling approach and was always a great support to her teammates.

After selling the home she had raised her family in and resided for over sixty years, she made the difficult decision to move into an assisted living facility in Greencastle. While she had comfortable accommodations, she certainly missed the ability to do the activities she had loved for so many years at her beloved home.

Jane was committed to her children and was always “worrying” about their ventures. She was supportive, caring, and always provided that very special TLC.

Jane is survived by a son Ricky Lee of Dallas, Texas; and a daughter Micki Janel (Gareiss) of Warsaw, Indiana; daughters-in-law Debbie (Hipskind) of Seymour, Indiana and Diane (Grove) of Greenwood, Indiana; granddaughters Dr. Jamie (Brummett) and husband Chris of Richmond, Indiana and Kimberly Carpenter of Indianapolis, Indiana; grandsons Logan (Gareiss) of Monterey, California and Spencer (Gareiss) and wife Amy of Schererville, Indiana; great grandsons Eli and Will (Brummett), and Alexander (Gareiss); and brother James Hamm and sister-in-law Mae of Gosport, Indiana. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Bert and Ruby, husband Kenneth Ray, sons Randy Allen and Gary Jay, grandson Douglas Allen, brother Russell (Hamm), and sisters Mary Edith (Hamm) and Alma Jean Hamm Evans.

Visitation will be held at Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home in Greencastle, Indiana from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 and services will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with interment and a brief graveside service at Mannan Cemetery in Quincy, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana or to your favorite charity.