Jane S. Innis

INNIS, Jane S.
of Kalamazoo Jane Sulzer Innis, ninety-eight, was born in Columbus, Ohio, April 19, 1914 to Dr. Gustavus and Mabel M. Sulzer. Jane attended Columbus schools and, graduating in 1930, was the youngest graduate of Bexley High School at age sixteen. She attended Ohio State University, where she affiliated with Delta Delta Delta sorority, and graduated with a B.S. degree in Education in 1934. Jane married Robert C. Innis, also an Ohio State graduate in 1936. Mr. Innis was employed by the Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo. During WW II she served as a Red Cross volunteer at Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek, working with wounded servicemen. Active in the Kalamazoo community, she served on the committee to study the annexation issue of Milwood to the city of Kalamazoo, as well as on the Kalamazoo street-naming committee, and in national and local parliamentary organizations. In the days when the word "cancer" was whispered and seldom spoken aloud, Jane became heavily involved on the county and state levels of the American Cancer Society. Determined to increase awareness of the dread disease through the education of teachers, school children, and the general public, she served as Chairman of Volunteers for several years. As her children were growing, she played an active part in their school activities as well as the Boy and Girl Scouts.
Jane received an M.A. in Counseling from Western Michigan University, and was employed as a social worker at Bronson Methodist Hospital where she worked until she retired in 1982. She was supportive of her husband, Robert, who served as President of the Kalamazoo Board of Education, as well as many other community activities. In her later years she remained active in other organizations such as the American Association of University Women and Tri Delta alumnae association; and enjoyed antiquing, bridge, genealogy, and traveling. One of Jane's favorite travel memories was of riding a camel in Morocco.
Jane is remembered fondly as a loving friend, parent, and grandma. She was ahead of her time in her independent thinking and fight for worthy social causes. Her feisty ways and determined attitude have been an inspiration to all who knew her. Jane is preceded in death by her husband, Robert, in 1971, her sister, Christine Hane, and brother, Norman Sulzer. She is survived by her children, Robert C. Innis, Jr., of Yardley, Pennsylvania, daughter, Carol Innis Ivey of Orlando, Florida, daughter, Margaret Innis and her husband Donald Ouellette, of Livonia, Michigan, and niece, Nancy Link, of Columbus, Ohio. Also surviving her are her three loving grandchildren, Jason Ivey of New York City, Courtney Ivey of Orlando, and Amanda Innis of Princeton, New Jersey. A celebration of her life will be held at the Friendship Village Kiva, 1400 North Drake Road, Kalamazoo on Saturday, August 25, at 2:30 in the afternoon. Contributions may be made to Friendship Village Library Fund or Friendship Village Friends Fund, or the charity of the donor's choice.