Obituary of Elizabeth Jane King

Elizabeth Jane King, 94, died peacefully June 21, 2017, at the home of her daughter in Walton, KY.

A lifelong resident of Indianapolis until her final weeks, Jane was born Aug. 25, 1922, to the late Philip S. and Julia Bigelow Brown. A member of the Greatest Generation, she was born in the Roaring 20s, grew up in the Great Depression, weathered World War II and lived a fulfilling life devoted to family, friends, faith and good humor.

Jane attended Broad Ripple High School, graduating second in her class before enrolling at Butler University. She left school during World War II to join the secretarial staff at Fort Benjamin Harrison, and continued working as a secretary elsewhere until starting her family in the 1950s.

On July 13, 1947, Jane married Robert G. King in the McKee Chapel of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, where she was a lifelong member. Their marriage endured for 55 years until Robert’s death in 2002. Together they reared three children with much patience, love and laughter, and traveled the nation later in life for reunions of the Air Force 453rd Bombardment Group, with which Robert flew in World War II.

Jane volunteered faithfully at her church, playing the piano for Sunday School classes, delivering Meals on Wheels to the homebound and serving as an ordained deacon. She loved animals, sweets, spectator sports, TV sit-coms and crossword puzzles, and would go to great lengths to make people laugh with her Billy Bob teeth, fake clown lips and deadpan one-liners. She also made the best apple pie known to mankind.

Nothing delighted Jane more than spoiling, visiting with, and seeing photos and videos of her three grandsons and her great-grandson.

She is survived by sons Gordon King (Carol) of Seattle, WA, and Larry King (Anna) of Doylestown, PA; daughter Julia King of Walton, KY; grandsons Jared King (Gretchen) of Seattle, Peter King of Philadelphia, PA, and Austin King of Doylestown; great-grandson Miles King of Seattle; and special friend Alex Christ of Indianapolis. Her sister, Dorothy L. Smith, and her brother, Robert D. Beckmann, preceded her in death.

Chambers and Grubbs Funeral Home in Florence, KY is assisting the family with local arrangements.  Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Monday, June 26, at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, 418 E. 34th St., Indianapolis, IN 46205; followed immediately by services in the McKee Chapel of the church. Interment will be afterward at Crown Hill Cemetery. Flanner Buchanan

Memorial contributions in Jane’s memory may be made to Tabernacle Presbyterian Church.  Online condolences may be expressed to www.chambersandgrubbs.com.