Elaine B. Janney

MUNCIE - Elaine B. Janney, 98, (born Doris Elaine Basinger), passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital following a brief illness.

Elaine was born in Lima, Ohio, the first child of Frank David Basinger and Mary Helen Jones Basinger. A graduate of Muncie Central High School, she studied art education at Ball State University. As a student, she was featured in the U.S. government film, "Teachers Training USA."

After graduation, she taught middle school students in Muncie for 16 years and later worked as a teacher's aide at Burris Laboratory School.

Elaine passionately supported the arts. She served on the Muncie Symphony Orchestra Board, the Muncie Symphony League, the Friends of the Art Museum Board, and was a founding Board Member of the Minnetrista Cultural Center. She also belonged to the Muncie Art Students League, Psi Iota Xi, Conversation Club, and was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church, Muncie.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Bill Janney, whom she first spotted in elementary school wearing his "red coat sweater" and identified as her future husband. They were married for 65 years.

She is survived by her only child, daughter Tiffany Janney Arnold, son-in-law Thomas Arnold (Muncie); grandchildren, Thomas (San Francisco), Sophia (New York City), and Lucia (Miami); as well as beloved nephews, nieces, and cherished sister-in-law, Mary Jo Basinger.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Elaine and Bill Janney Scholarship Fund at the Youth Symphony Orchestras of East Central Indiana.

The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com.