Juavata Jane Fortner

Jane Fortner passed into the loving arms of her Lord & Savior while surrounded by her family. She loved to honor God by taking Communion daily. All that shared in this experience felt blessed. She was so honored to take Communion to those that were unable to attend church.

She was born to Earnest A and Kathryn A (McMullin) Reissaus in Dexter, Missouri. She had 2 brothers, Charles and William that both served in WW II & gone before her. Her father was the Bank President and her mother a School Teacher. She was so proud of her father’s character and love for others. During the Depression when his bank was forced to close, he refused to leave. He sat on the porch to guard the money for the depositors (with no pay). Not one of his depositors lost money because of his actions (others lost everything.)

In 1940, Jane graduated from Central High School in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and went on to Southwest Missouri State Teachers College until 1942. She taught 3rd grade in Dexter, Missouri. In 1943 she received her Private Pilot’s License. In 1944 she was assigned to WASP (Women’s Air Force Service Pilot’s Program) in Sweetwater, Texas then the government stopped the training program. Her family moved to St. Louis, Missouri where she worked for a furniture company. Then moved on to Carbondale, Illinois where she got a new job with Martin Oil Company. She had a love of flying and became a Stewardess with Eastern Airlines in New York, flying out of LaGurdia Airport.

In Sept 1946 with her father in tow, she went to a small airfield to ask if anyone needed a sandbag. A young Airforce Captain, John Fortner stepped up to offer her a plane ride. When he found out she could fly the plane, he said he wanted to marry her! They wed on Dec 22. She said he took her on the wildest ride for 47 years until his death in 1994.

In 1951, Major John Fortner was the only survivor in a midair collision. He was severely injured and still was so determined to heal to go on to 50 combat missions as a Black Knight to liberate South Korea from North Korea.

They adopted Kathryn in 1954 and Victoria in 1959. They both were loved unconditionally. Victoria gave them 3 beautiful grandchildren to cherish her memory, Jessica McFadden & Michael (husband) Brittany Hulsey and Michael Peterson (fiancé) all of Odessa, TX and John William Smith & Devon (wife) of Portland, OR. She leaves behind 8 Great Grandchildren, Genesis, Tyler, Katie, Jade-Emilia, Jaxson, Levi, Greyson, & Lilly and 2 Great-Great Grandchildren, Kolt and one on the way.

She was a member of the Latin Club, Music Club, Black Mask Drama Club, Clio Society, Choral Group, Acapella Group, AOPA, DAV, CAF, and a Life Member of Christ Church Anglican.

In her words: Loved my Savior, Jesus so much and happy to be going home. Thankful to have been born in the USA to wonderful parents, to have a marvelous husband, wonderful children & grandchildren and their children. I was blessed to teach all the students that came year after year with a willingness to learn. I love my spirit filled church and all the wonderful friends.

I send my love and gratitude to Annette Gracy and Dana Brown for their unconditional love and support.

A little extra love to Brittany for nursing me every time I broke something. I wanted to spend my last days here with you. You will be a wonderful Grandmother. We will see each other again…Mimi

I pray that each of you will walk through this beautiful world with Jesus at your side.

I am already home. I will see you again… Love Janie

HONORARY PALLBARRIERS are Michael McFadden, Michael Peterson, Matt Gracy, Mark Brown,, Jack Murphy Jr and all of her students from 1942 -1985

In lieu of flowers here are a few of Janes favorite charities: Christ Church Anglican, St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Wounded Warriors, and your favorite charity.