Sara Jane Van Buskirk, 86, of Wabash, Indiana, died at 4:20 am, Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at Wellbrooke of Wabash. She was born on January 30, 1937, in Kokomo, Indiana, to John Kratzer and Helen (Davenport) Kratzer Brown.
Sara Jane was a 1954 graduate of Roann High School. She married Peter Van Buskirk in Orleans, France on July 2, 1955 while he served in the US Army; he died Nevember 25, 1994. Sara Jane and Peter raised their three sons on their family farm near Roann. She enjoyed the role of farm wife and homemaker, taking pride in her extensive vegetable and flower gardens. Sara was a talented seamstress, and in 1983, she opened Sara’s Sew Shop in downtown Wabash. She also worked as a receptionist at Plummer, Tiede, Magley, and Metz, and an office assistant for Dr. Richard LaSalle. Sara was a member of the Wabash First United Methodist Church, the Wabash Garden Club, and volunteered at Helping Hands of Wabash County for several years. She was very active in Sigma Phi Gamma Sorority for many years, assuming various leadership positions, inlcuding Province President. Sara’s passion was her quilting. Over the span of more than 40 years, she made hundreds of exquisite quilts, entering many in shows, and gave away many to her family and friends. She was a member of several quilting guilds over the years including the Seven Sisters Quilt Club, and the Sew Peaceful Quilt Club. Sara wintered in Sarasota, Florida several years.
She is survived by three sons, David (Rhonda) Van Buskirk of Roann, Indiana, Thomas (Christina) Van Buskirk of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Peter “Chip” (Robin) Van Buskirk of Ash Fork, Arizona; eight grandchildren, Jason (Shannon) Van Buskirk of Fort Wayne, Kristen Heckber of Roanoke, Indiana, Alexandra (Emmett) McIlvenny of Wabash, Calvin (Yen) Van Buskirk of Seattle, Washington, Tanner Van Buskirk of Fort Wayne, Madison (Austin) Tinkle and Matthew Van Buskirk,both of Seattle, and Megan Van Buskirk of Las Vegas, Nevada, 10 great grandchildren; and her sister, Nancy Campbell of Tipton, Indiana. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Judy Cole.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Rev. Jackie Weaver officiating. Burial will be in Roann Community Cemetery. Friends may call 4-7 pm Friday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are the Roann Stockdale Mill Foundation or the Wabash First United Methodist Church.
The memorial guest book for Sara Jane may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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