Janice M. Keilman

Janice Marie (Herrman) Keilman, 84 years old, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2024 at home with her loving family by her side. Janice was born November 17, 1939 in Chicago Heights, IL to Jerome and Francis (Rascher) Herrman.

On June 22, 1963, Janice married the love of her life, Jack Keilman. She is survived by her six children: Michele (Kevin) Liebert, Mark, Steven (Trish), Shauna (Bill) Schmidt, Carolyn (Victor) Tellez and Cheryl.  Grandchildren: Kristen, Scott and Kyle Liebert; Margaret and Marian Keilman; Courtney, Kelsey, JoAnna and Jack Keilman; Katie, Patrick (Jessica), Meghan and Ryan Schmidt; Jessica, Jacklyn, Victoria, Jacob and Leo Tellez; and Matthew (Kristina) Keilman. Great-Grandchildren: Jameson Schmidt and Liam Schmidt. Siblings: Patricia (Tim) Stremel and Tom (Kathy) Herrman; Lifetime friend and sister-in-law Marlene Townsend and brother-in-laws Frank and Larry (Lynda) Keilman.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; her parents, Jerome and Francis (Rascher) Herrman; sister, Mary (Herrman) Gerlach; brother-in-law, Jack Townsend; sister-in-law, Patricia Keilman; and niece, Lorene James.

Janice was raised in Dyer, IN. She graduated from Bishop Noll Institute and the University of Dayton. She became a Registered Nurse. She was a school nurse in the Hammond schools where she met lifelong friends and they started a bridge club that would span 50 years. She married her next-door neighbor, Jack Keilman and they moved to Calumet City where they would raise their children and remain faithful, active and loyal parishioners of St. Victor Parish for over 40 years. It was Janice’s calling and mission in life to care for others. Whether it was as a nurse, mother, school nurse or stranger, when someone was in need she was the first to assist. She was the room mom and constant volunteer at St. Victor School and Parish. She was proud of her work at Victor Care and volunteered more when it transitioned to Calumet City Resources. 

Janice was a great cook and prided herself in making daily homemade meals for her family. She learned to sew in 4-H as a young girl and would sew for the rest of her life. Janice loved to be outside and in her flower and vegetable gardens. Gatherings with family and friends were not complete until at least one game of pinochle had been completed. She was an avid reader and loved crossword and jigsaw puzzles.

But most of all, Janice was a wonderful wife and mother. She and her faith were the foundation of our home. She was delighted to become a doting grandmother. Just as she was a constant fan of her children’s events, she loved to see her grandchildren in action. Later in life, she was prouder to become G.G.--Great Grandma.

Early in her marriage, Janice was a school nurse in the Hammond schools. Her faith and life events shaped her career over the years. She later became the school nurse at recess time at St. Victor’s. She went on to work in the nursery at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Hammond. Her deep love of caring for babies was beautiful. She became a Eucharist Minister and brought Communion to the sick. Her faith and career brought her  to what she felt was her perfect calling and use of her gifts: a volunteer chaplain at St. Margaret’s. She then became a registered chaplain. In her retirement years, she volunteered to help others complete their taxes.

Thank you to all of her caregivers over the years: John, Phyllis, LaTonya, Gloria, May and Crocin.

Visitation will be from 3:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 15 with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. at Fagen-Miller Funeral Home, 8580 Wicker Ave., St. John, IN. On Saturday, March 16, there will be a prayer service at 9:15 a.m. at Fagen-Miller. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 440 Joliet St., Dyer, IN followed by burial at St. Joseph Church Cemetery.

Donations to St. Joseph Church, Dyer, IN in her honor would be appreciated.

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