Jane Christman

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

Mrs. Jane Christman, 99, of Jefferson City, Missouri, formerly of Joplin, Missouri, departed this life on Friday morning, March 7, 2014, in the comfort of her home, after months of declining health. 

Jane (Harsh) Christman was born in Salina, Kansas on November 19, 1914. She moved to Joplin, Missouri with her parents and her brother Jim when her father, James Harsh, became affiliated with the Empire District Electric Company. She attended Barstow School in Kansas City and completed one year at the University of Missouri before returning to Joplin to care for her ailing mother. She was married to Arthur Christman on November 12, 1936. Her husband was the General Manager of Christman’s Department Store. The family traveled to Washington D.C. during the war years since Arthur was stationed at the Pentagon Building. After the war, they returned to Joplin where Arthur took up his duties with the family department store. When Christman’s was sold to Macy’s in 1955, Jane and the three children—Bill, John, and Marilyn—accompanied Arthur when he became the general manager in a department store in Wichita, Kansas and later in Waterloo, Iowa. When Arthur retired at the age of 62, the couple moved to Blue Eye, Missouri where they spent many happy years. When Arthur became ill, they moved to Jefferson City, Missouri in order to be close to Marilyn, their daughter. Arthur died on December 6, 1996 but Jane remained in Jefferson City where she stayed in close touch with Marilyn and with her two sons. 

Jane Christman was a devoted wife and mother. She looked after her husband and their children faithfully over many years. She was pragmatic and had a good deal of common sense, a legacy from her father. She was also kind and caring and related well to other people. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson City, Missouri and attended Sunday Worship Services regularly. She was a member of the Women’s Circle and was also a member of the local PEO chapter. She will be deeply missed by her children, her grand-children, and her great-grandchildren—and by all who knew her and, knowing her, found their lives enriched. 

Graveside funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 13, 2014 at Mount Hope Cemetery in Webb City, Missouri. A memorial service is pending at this time and will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson City. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri.