Jane Caldwell Oliver Zell, 75, loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed on April 28, 2022 at Pine Knoll Rehabilitation Center after courageously battling complications of cancer. Jane was born on December 30, 1946 in Winchester, Indiana to Robert C., Sr. and Jane F. Oliver. Jane graduated from Lee Driver High School in 1965 in Winchester, she attended Indiana University in Bloomington in 1965-1966 before deciding she wanted to pursue family life. She lived in Centerville, Indiana in 1969-1971 then returned to her beloved community and hometown of Winchester, where she lived the rest of her life.
Jane loved time spent with family and cherished her two daughters and their families. Her four grandchildren were the absolute lights of her life. Jane looked forward to ballgames, piano recitals, orchestra concerts, tennis matches, and all things regarding her adored grandchildren. Oliver family gatherings were a highlight of her life as this entailed time with her parents, siblings, their families, and often family friends where she had even more opportunities to create magic in the kitchen cooking for all with love.
Jane proudly worked at Mrs. Wick's Pie Shop for 34 years. She was a perfectionist in her artistry of creating pies of a multitude of both classic and unique varieties. A constant ingredient of hers in every single pie in the shop was love. Jane mentored many over those three plus decades; her natural actions of being a good person were also life lessons being exemplified. She was fully aware of the significant impact that food has in the lives and events of people's lives. She strived to always make Mr. Duane "Wick" Wickersham, his family, and the Wick's Pies company proud. Jane was also an integral part of the welcoming atmosphere for many years at her brother's, Fred's, package store where she loved working with her family and creating relationships with his patrons and associates lasting decades.
Jane taught Sunday School to pre-school aged children for 30 years at the Winchester Friends Church.
Jane spread kindness wherever she went. She was The Golden Rule personified. Her love for all people was shown with her bright smile, kind words, encouragement, and genuine concern for and acceptance of others. Jane put her heart into all tasks, big and small, and would follow through with promises made. These wonderful traits were a constant and touched so many throughout the community and beyond.
Jane is survived by her daughters Janie (Cary Smith) Zell-Smith and Kathie (Brett) Wright; grandchildren Nick (Taylor Sells) Wright, Iris Smith, Jacob Wright, and Joey Wright; sister Kelly (Danny) Riddle; brothers Fred (Donna) Oliver and Tom (Diane) Oliver, and sister-in-law, Bev Oliver; nieces and nephews: Paige (Preston) Oliver Moore, Kyle Oliver, Christy (Dean) Hart, Robbie Hall, and great-nieces Ariana and Jolyn Riddle.
Jane was preceded in death by her father Robert C. Oliver, Sr., mother Jane F. Oliver, brother Robert C. Oliver, Jr., niece Courtney Riddle, and her former parents-in-law, with whom reciprocal unconditional love endured, Joe and Rosa Mary Zell.
Jane did not know a stranger and will be missed by so many. Her compassion knew no limits whether family, friend…or stranger who would soon be touched by her innate kindness causing the feeling of being a stranger to quickly fade away.
Special thanks to the following: Kathy Daly Edwards, Jenny Daly Dunica, Krista Comer, Tina Roberts Sommer, and Pine Knoll Rehabilitation Center for excellent and loving care.
A service to celebrate Jane's life will be at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at the Walker Funeral Home in Winchester, with Pastor Melissa Kleinschmidt officiating. Burial will follow at Fountain Park Cemetery in Winchester.
Friends and family may call from 3-7 p.m., on May 3, 2022, as well as an hour before services on Wednesday all at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Cancer Services for Randolph County, 133 N. Meridian St., Winchester, IN 47394; Winchester Area Churches and Community Food Pantry Shalom Center, https://waccfp.wixsite.com/dietitian, 124 E. Washington St., Winchester, IN 47394.
Walker Funeral Home in Winchester is entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerswinchester.com.

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Published by Winchester News-Gazette from May 2 to May 10, 2022.