Mary Jane King, 79, of Granville, passed away June 6, 2022 at Otterbein Senior Living, Granville.

Jane was born in Lakewood, Ohio on August 9, 1942 to the late Arthur and Margaret (Condon) Zammikiel. A 1960 graduate of Magnificat High School in Rocky River and the University of Dayton class of 1966, Jane began her career as a teacher at Holy Angels elementary in Dayton. She later retired from the Denison University Education Department after more than 25 years as a mentor and advocate for teachers-in-training.

In addition to being a wonderful mother, favored aunt, grandmother, friend and neighbor, Jane was a passionate and tireless advocate for the poor. As a member of St. Leonard Catholic Church and Vice President of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Jane logged thousands of volunteer hours helping people across Licking County. A no-nonsense, non-judgmental problem solver, Jane helped countless families make rent payments, restore electric and water service, fill cars with gas and refrigerators with food and navigate life’s challenges both big and small. 

Jane was an ace at card games, enjoyed playing volleyball at Denison and loved going to garage sales, where she famously found treasures for friends, family and clients. Known for her many colorful “Jane-isms,” she bravely battled cancer with courage, candor and quite a few cuss words.  Even after grueling chemotherapy treatments, Jane continued to make calls for St. Vincent de Paul and coordinated several large family gatherings, including a special party at Top Golf after entering hospice care.

Jane never minced words. You always knew where you stood and she’d tell you what she thought whether you wanted to hear it or not. Never with malice, always with love; her candor and honesty were qualities that drew people to her. When she brought you into her heart, you became one of her “little $h!ts”, a term of endearment. Jane’s incredible strength, practicality, generosity, guiding faith and unwavering values will be remembered, respected and missed by many.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Arthur, Thomas, and William; and sister, Sister Therese.

Surviving are her husband of 55 years, Paul G. King; sons and daughters-in-law, Gregory and Stacey King, Bryan and Kelly King, and Jeremy and Susan King; grandchildren, Elisa, Coleman, Liam, Brenna, Erin, and J.B.; twin sister and brother-in-law, Jeanne and Philip McDermott, sisters-in-law, Patricia Zammikiel and Mary Zammikiel as well as many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews that truly adored her.

The family will receive friends from 5-7:30 P.M. Friday June 10, 2022 at McPeek-Hoekstra Funeral Home in Granville. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 11, 2022 at St. Leonard Catholic Church, 57 Dorsey Mill Rd., Heath, with Rev. Nick Rouch and Rev. G. Michael Gribble as celebrants. Burial will be at the Denison University Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Leonard’s St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o St. Leonard Catholic Church.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.