Clarajane Herzog, 90, of Huntington, IN, passed away on Thursday, March 29, 2018, at her residence.
Mrs. Herzog was born on May 31, 1927, in Huntington, IN, to Melvin “Red” Charles and Margaret Dorothy (Thompson) Kennedy. Her parents preceded her in death. She married Max Arnold Herzog in 1949, and he preceded her in death.
Jane was a 1945 graduate of Huntington High School with an emphasis on Art, English Composition and Music. During WWII Jane worked nights after school in the defense industry. She received extra art classes at Huntington College. She won a scholarship to the Fort Wayne Art School and began a career in the graphic design and publications. During her life Jane volunteered to design ads, posters and newsletters for her children’s schools and various organizations. She was a regular contributor of her paintings to benefit the LaFontaine Arts Council and other fund raising organizations. One unique assignment was to design and paint logos on the trailer used to carry the instruments of the Huntington Township Band. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and later sang with the chancel choir of Los Altos United Methodist Church in California.
Jane spent 12 years at Huntington Laboratories where she became Advertising Manager designing and producing all aspects of the company image. She continued her art education at IU, Fort Wayne. Trade show travel was a part of the position at the Lab. Jane moved to Los Altos, CA, in 1978, where she worked for several graphic design studios and hi tech companies. She spent six years with Bemiss Jason Corporation as their Art Department Manager responsible for all product packaging design, literature, catalogs and trade show construction. The years in CA included more travel exploring the west and design classes through U of C.
In 1988, Jane retired and returned to Huntington to paint. She studied with several leading Indiana artists but her primary instructor was watercolorist Rob O’Dell. She joined many art groups – Hoosier Salon (award winner in 2004 for outstanding watercolor), Brown County Art Association, Indiana Plein Air Painters Association, and LaFontaine Art Council & Fort Wayne Artists Guild. Jane exhibited throughout Indiana winning many awards for her watercolor and pastel paintings, including an Indiana Women’s Artist competition to exhibit her work in the Lt. Governor’s office. Her work was chosen by Ford Meter Box for their calendar for two years. Every member of her family received portraits of their children and their own art display.
In 1999, during a visit to Ontario, Canada, Jane met RCMP Phil Grossmith and his wife Noreen. That meeting and gift of books about Canadian history led Jane to plan her camping/painting adventures. Four 8,000 mile trips were made between 2001 and 2010 through the Prairie Provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. The last trip included British Columba and one summer she lived in Peterborough, Ontario where she painted that province. She wrote and illustrated a journal of her Canadian camping/painting adventures that was featured in the Huntington Tab. An exhibit of over 40 Canadian landscapes was held at the Huntington Library and later at the Allen County Public Library. The years produced a large collection of paintings including pastel portraits of all her grandchildren, and other commissioned portraits mainly of children. Huntington University featured a solo exhibit of her work. A greeting card line illustrated with all her artwork is still available at Four Corners Custom Framing in Huntington.
Jane is survived by one son, Jerry Dane (Barva) Herzog, Cookson, OK; daughter, Sandra Susan (Joe) Beemer, Huntington, IN; one brother, Carlos (Frances) Kennedy, Ashville, NC; daughter-in-law, Marcia Herzog, Huntington, IN; grandchildren; Lori (Kendall) Mickley, Huntington, IN, Lynn (Mark) Nelson, Warsaw, IN, Ben Herzog, Huntington, IN, Kristin (Jonathon) Amor, Huntington, IN, Jason Herzog, OK, Aaron (Amber) Beemer, Huntington, IN, Jocelyn (Robert) Shoemaker, Huntington, IN, and Bambi Bicknell.
Jane loved all her great grandchildren. She attended their activities and made sure they were part of the Huntington Library Children’s programs. Her great grandchildren are; Chase and Maggie Mickley, Torin and Xavier Kinsey, Tyler and Samantha Amor, Madison, Luka and Chelsea Beemer, William Smith, Kyle and Sam Moody, Elizabeth and Madison Herzog, and Rebecca Bicknell.
Along with her parents and husband she was preceded in death by one son, Thomas Michael Herzog.
To honor the wishes of Jane, there will be no calling or service hours.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
McElhaney- Hart Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson St., Huntington, IN is entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to: www.mcelhaneyhartfuneralhome.com