Doris Jane Carpenter

Doris Jane (Hamm) Carpenter passed away peacefully on Aug. 16, 2024 at the age of 88. Her remaining children, Rick and Micki, were at her side.

She was born in Quincy on March 28, 1936 to Bert and Ruby (Sutherlin) Hamm. While Doris was her given name, she preferred to be called Jane or “Janie.”

She attended Quincy High School through her junior year, but due to a fire, graduated from Gosport High School in 1954. She was an avid cheerleader throughout her high school tenure.

On June 28, 1954, she was married to Kenneth Ray Carpenter for 67 years. He preceded her in death on March 22, 2021.

Her work history began in high school as a waitress for Old Trail Inn. After her marriage, she concentrated on being a stay-at-home mom to her four children: Randy, Ricky, Gary and Micki. As Randy was nearing high school graduation, she returned to the work force at the First National Bank in Coatesville, where she remained for several years, leaving to work alongside her sister, Jean, at the Greencastle Auto Parts store. This position transitioned to Coatesville and eventually, she became a bookkeeper for Magic Circle Corporation, where she was affectionately known as “Aunt Jane.” She remained in this position until her retirement.

Jane’s greatest passion was providing for others, and she was an outstanding cook. She consistently created meals that were different and rarely if ever had a “miss” in the kitchen. She loved canning and always had a supply of these garden items on hand for any occasion. It remains apparent that whenever anyone had some of “Aunt Jane’s” creations, they always wanted more.

She was an avid bowler and participated in league play for many years at Varsity Lanes in Greencastle. She had her own distinctive “hop” or “skip” in her bowling approach and was always a great support to her teammates.

After selling the home she had raised her family in and resided for more than 60 years, she made the difficult decision to move into an assisted living facility in Greencastle. While she had comfortable accommodations, she certainly missed the ability to do the activities she had loved for so many years at her beloved home.

Jane was committed to her children and was always “worrying” about their ventures. She was supportive, caring and always provided that very special TLC.

Jane is survived by a son, Ricky Lee of Dallas, Texas; and a daughter, Micki Janel (Gareiss) of Warsaw; daughters-in-law Debbie (Hipskind) of Seymour and Diane (Grove) of Greenwood; granddaughters Dr. Jamie (Brummett) and husband Chris of Richmond and Kimberly Carpenter of Indianapolis; grandsons Logan (Gareiss) of Monterey, Calif., and Spencer (Gareiss) and wife Amy of Schererville; great-grandsons Eli and Will (Brummett) and Alexander (Gareiss); and brother James Hamm and sister-in-law Mae of Gosport. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Bert and Ruby, husband Kenneth Ray, sons Randy Allen and Gary Jay, grandson Douglas Allen, brother Russell (Hamm), and sisters Mary Edith (Hamm) and Alma Jean Hamm Evans.

Visitation will be held at Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home in Greencastle from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 20 and services will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 11 a.m. with interment and a brief graveside service at Mannan Cemetery in Quincy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis or to your favorite charity.