F. Jane Whetstone

On Sunday September 7, 2014 F. Jane (Dill) Whetstone went home to be with Jesus after battling Alzheimer’s for 15 years. Born in Chester, PA on January 21, 1928, Jane grew up in Linwood, PA. She married George Whetstone (deceased, January 1, 2004) July 7, 1946 and they served as pastor and wife in the Church of the Nazarene, pastoring 10 churches over a 50 year span. Jane served her Lord Jesus faithful and was a shining example of a Spirit-filled life. It is impossible to sum up Jane’s life in a paragraph. She genuinely loved people. Though she would be officially considered a “homemaker,” Jane ministered to and touched the lives of many people. She was “mom” not only to her four children, but to many who considered her “mom” mentor, confident, advisor, spiritual director and friend. Over the years, she served in many capacities, including Sunday School teacher, camp director, church pianist/organist, church soloist, church choir director, Bible study leader, compassionate care coordinator, church office secretary, among many other official and non-official positions in the church. She was the quintessential hostess; overseeing many church dinners and functions as well as practicing hospitality having many individuals, couples and families in her home. Every year she would host a Christmas open house/reception for the churches she and George pastored, and everything had to be homemade! She and George hosted a weekly radio program, “George and Jane Down Melody Lane” for many years as well as a weekly local television show in Portland, Maine, “Wake Up to Good News” for over 7 years. She and George’s longest pastorate was in South Portland, Maine where Jane not only served in the church in many of the ways noted above, she served as a Weight Watcher lecturer for 9 out of the 11 years they were there. Jane enjoyed crafts and often made things for others. At one time she owned her own kiln in order to make ceramics, often making ceramic pins and gifts for other pastor wives. Being an excellent seamstress she often made her own clothing as well as for others who may have need. She did scrapbooking before it became popular. She was an excellent cook and baker to the point that people would almost invite themselves over for dinner. Many a meal was made over the years for others and delivered to their homes during difficult times in their lives. George and Jane retired to Cape Elizabeth, ME. While there they served as hostess and host at McDonalds at the Maine Mall in South Portland, Maine. In three of the years they served there they would move their Hammond Organ into the restaurant during the Christmas Season and lead patrons in singing Christmas Carols for 3 hours each afternoon. When George and Jane’s health began to fail they moved to Westminster Woods in Jacksonville and in 2003, due to her Alzheimer’s, Jane was moved into Westminster’s full care facility, where, in spite of her health, she continued to minister and touch the lives of both staff and fellow residents. Jane is survived by her four children: Rev. Barry and Axa Whetstone of Canton, OH, Donna and Peter Baleyko of Jacksonville, FL, Rev. Gerald and Ellen Whetstone of Malden, MA, Rev. William and Angela Whetstone of Marine City, MI, and 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Services are being held at Hardage Giddens Funeral Home, 11801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL. Visiting hours are Thursday September 11, 2014, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. The Celebration of Life Service is Friday September 12, 2014, 10:00 a.m. Rev. Orville Jenkins is officiate and Paul Pitts soloist. A Memorial Service is being held at the South Portland, ME Church of the Nazarene, September 20, 2014, 10:00 a.m. with a fellowship following the service. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Jane’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association or the George and Jane Ministerial Student Scholarship Fund at Eastern Nazarene College, 23 E. Elm Ave., Quincy, MA.