Jane Anne Brewer

With deep sadness, we announce that Jane Anne (Burgin) Brewer beloved and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother passed away on December 9, 2024. 

Jane was born on October 8, 1938 in Wooster, Ohio, the first child of the late Dr. John Meredith Burgin and Elsie (Foster) Burgin. Jane’s father died when she was two and her mother later remarried Don U. Williams who, with her mother, raised Jane. Jane was a graduate of Salem High School and Purdue University (BS) and Indiana University (MA). Jane was a stay-at-home mother until 1969 when she began as a substitute teacher at Salem High School in Home Economics. Several years later she accepted a fulltime position with Salem Middle School where she taught Home Ec and sometimes English. Her favorite school tradition was the Annual Spring Mother’s Tea, when the 7th and 8th grades hosted a tea and invited their mothers. The seventh graders prepared the cookies and tea while the eighth graders model the clothing they made during the year. 

Jane was a member of The First United Methodist Church of Salem. She and her husband were members of two bridge clubs, active in the Fortnightly Club and later in life she was a member of the Retired Teachers. Jane enjoyed socializing with friends and family especially Saturday morning breakfast with her sisters-in-law and other extended family members in Salem. When she retired she volunteered for the Food Pantry, Washington County Hospital, and Friends of the Library. 

Jane is survived by her daughter, Deb Brewer and her husband, John Fishbone of Bloomington, Indiana, her son, Doug Brewer and his wife Jodi Brewer of Chicago, IL, and sister, Linda Williams Hall and her family of Dublin, OH, and her sister-in-law Sandy Burgin of Franklin, TN and family. She is also survived by “The Fabulous Five” her grandchildren, Nate Fishbone of Portland, OR, Maddie Brewer of Glendale, CA, Jackson Brewer of Chicago, IL, Rachel Fishbone of Bloomington, IN and Ethan Brewer of Santa Clarita, CA. These five young adults were the light of Jane’s life, and she thought each one of them “hung the moon”. Jane is also survived by her husband’s loving extended family. 

Jane was predeceased by her loving and devoted husband, Robert L. Brewer. Jane liked to tell the story of how they met as freshman because both of their last names started B so they were in the same row. Robbie was her world. She was also predeceased by her brother Jim Burgin of Franklin, TN and step sisters, Jane Thompson, Peri Turner, and Sarah Chamberlain and members of her husband’s extended family. 

Funeral services will be held at 11AM Monday, December 16, 2024 at Weathers Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday from 3-6PM and Monday from 9AM-until time of service at the funeral home. 

While Jane loved flowers, she would love to support Salem Schools in any way that she could. Please feel free to give to your favorite charity in her memory or donate to the Salem Education Fund through Washington County Community Foundation at PO Box 50 Salem IN 47167.