Jane Suzann Brass

03/29/1947 - 03/26/2026

Jane Suzann Brass, age 78, of Franklin, Indiana, died peacefully on
the morning of Thursday, March 26, 2026 at her cherished home where she
had been under the care of hospice. Actively involved with multiple
community organizations as an educator and leader for much of her life,
the effects of Multiple Sclerosis slowed her efforts in latter years.

After graduating from Indiana University, Jane taught junior high
language arts classes for Diocesan Catholic Schools. Having taught for a
decade, she returned to IU for a M.S. degree in Adult and Continuing
Education. Thereafter she served as coordinator of academic services to
help families and individuals gain access to education and training at
several academic institutions in Indiana and Michigan. This included grant
writing and supervision of the Welfare to Work program. In her last position
she served as director of staff training and development for Catholic
Charities in Minneapolis, MN.

Her own experience of homelessness and church and community
connections drew her to address the issues of homelessness, racism,
literacy and refugee resettlement among others. Her concern for refugees
included taking a family from Sierra Leone into her home until a more
permanent home became available. Always concerned for the fate of youth,
she foster parented three elementary-age children.

Jane was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother
who is profoundly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents
Dorothy Rittermeyer Gerding and William J. Gerding, M.D., brother William
“Bill” Gerding, brother-in- law Pete Durling and daughter, Celeste Brass.
Jane is survived by her husband Wayne Brass; sisters Jill (David) Wiegman
and Elane Thomas; children Megan (Greer) Craig, Joe (Chandra)
Wellbaum, David Wellbaum, Andrew (Katharine) Wellbaum, Erika (Mike)
Celeste, Ben (Abby) Brass, Hillary (Steve) Brass, Maeghan (Wes) Brass;
grandchildren Stephen “Callum” Buchanan, Simone Craig, Aram Wellbaum,
Joseph “Joey” Wellbaum, Seraphina Wellbaum, Helen Wellbaum, Cameren
Hobbs, Kaleb Hobbs, Christopher “Rollin” Marturello, Chloe Marturello,
Amos Brass, Lionell Brass, Levin Brass Beers, Celeste Brass Beers, Eli
Bickford, Arlo Bickford, Josie Bickford as well as nieces and nephews

A service of thanksgiving for Jane’s life will begin 12 noon, Saturday,
July 11, at Tapestry Church, 3758 W Whiteland Rd, Bargersville, IN 46106
with visitation from 11 a.m. to service time. Family and friends are invited to
remain at the church for a meal and fellowship after the service.

Charitable contributions may be made to the Cleveland Clinic Mellen
Center for Multiple Sclerosis. Contributions may be mailed to the Cleveland
Clinic, P.O. Box 931517, Cleveland, OH 44193. Alternatively, contributions
may be made by link to: give.ccf.org/fundraiser/7120389

Family members will scatter Jane’s ashes in the Foxfield Preserve at
the Wilderness Center, a conservation burial ground and nature preserve in
Stark County, near Wilmot, OH.