Jan Meeks

"Remember, we are all just walking home together."
On Tuesday, January 16, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer and surrounded by loved ones, we bid a loving farewell to a beloved Evansville native, Jan Meeks, age 66. The legacy she leaves is vast and impactful. To live the life that she did, so full of fun, laughter, compassion, and empathy, is a life we all strive for.
The simplest of pleasures brought her joy, including crossword puzzles with coffee in the morning, reading the daily news from The Evansville Courier & Press on her iPad, walks through the woods with her grandkids, hosting friends and family at their lake home, gathering groups of women together in socially fun environments and of course her love for music and dancing was always a highlight. She enjoyed planning a party and she had the reputation of being the last to leave any party! She was a "pro" at packing up a cooler (with plenty of MichUltra) for floating time out on the lake and ending the evening watching the sunset over Lake Barkley from her favorite chair on the patio.
Evansville was her lifelong home, community, and pride in many ways. A Reitz Memorial High School graduate in 1975, Jan went on to become the owner of Summit Real Estate Services, a Commercial Sales & Property Management company located in Evansville.
She had a great passion for and dedication to her family and friends. She is survived by her loving husband Rick Kaskel of 25 years, who has stated often "she is my best friend and the strongest, most genuine woman I know". His playful nick name for her-Janny Panny! The love they shared was endearing and an example for all on what a true partnership could be. Together they blended a family of three surviving children, Danielle Kaskel, Josh (Kristen) Kaskel, and Stephanie (Josh) Barnett. They are proud Grandparents to Carter Barnett, Luke, Katherine, and Lauren Kaskel.
Born February 5, 1957, to Norine and Edward Reinhart she has three surviving brothers, Tony (Jeanette), Mark and Roger Reinhart, one sister Carol Reinhart, and two nephews, Shawn (Chrissy) Reinhart and Chaz Fields. Also surviving are her Mother-in-Law, LaDonna Peterson, Sister-in-laws, Maureen Wenger, Stephanie McCormick (Russ) and Beth Kaskel (John). She was preceded in death by Steven Meeks, Ron Osborne and her parents.
Her philanthropic and community work began over 20 years ago. She was an active member of The Rotary Club of Evansville since 2003, receiving the Paul Harris Fellowship award in 2011, a distinction given to an individual Rotarian who exemplifies humanitarian and educational objectives of helping people in need.
Jan joined the Epsilon Theta Chapter of Kappa, Kappa, Kappa in 2005. She participated in this Indiana philanthropic organization, which promoted charity, culture, and education in our community. While serving as the Scholarship Chair, she distributed thousands of dollars to high school seniors.
Her love for Vandenburgh County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), encouraged her friends in Tri Kappa to adopt a family yearly for the past 12 years. Jan was a vibrant voice for the children in need serving on the CASA Board of Directors since 2003. In 2021 she was named a Lifetime Member of the Board and continued to attend monthly meetings. Jan was instrumental in helping CASA to move into an inviting, safe office building. She was always the first to volunteer to write thank you notes to donors and volunteers. She always wrote staff and volunteer thank you notes on their anniversaries thanking them for giving of their time. Her dedication to this mission was felt by so many of the CASA families.
Notoriously known as "social planner extraordinaire," she often brought different groups together in fun social settings that were impactful, memorable, and meaningful. Her love for music and dancing was felt by all, especially when families or friends gathered together with her and Rick at their lake home. Her love for fun was contagious. Her radiant and genuine smile simply warmed your heart.
Her candidness and sense of humor often walked hand in hand as written in a recent article outlining "The 5 Things You Don't Know About Me". Her number 5 was "you don't know that I am a control freak---oh wait a minute, everyone knows that about me!"
Jan's favorite song was called One Voice by Barry Manilow and she loved to belt it out, insisting all her family and friends join in. It ends with the lyrics: "Just one voice. It takes that one voice. And everyone will sing." As the sun sets on this part of her journey, we'll keep singing for Jan, and never forget the impact she made, and all the lives she has touched.
Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 19, 2024 at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel, 800 S. Hebron Ave., Evansville. There will be a Celebration of Life at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Father Tom Kessler officiating. Celebration of Life will be livestreamed on Jan's tribute page.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials go to Vandenburgh County CASA, Inc., 600 SE 6th Street, Evansville, Indiana 47713.