If one ever wanted to meet someone who exemplifies selflessness, it was Janice McKinley, who went to meet her Heavenly Father April 3, 2011.

Janice Louise McKinley, born July 3, 1946, was daughter to Olen and Mary June Hardy, sister to Barbara Cogburn, Ron Hardy, Max Hardy and Brenda Hargrove She was mom to 8 children, Grandma Jan to 13 grandchildren, loving wife to Wes McKinley, and a guiding light to countless others. Jan could always be counted on to open her heart and home to anyone who needed support. Courage and confidence preceded any task or challenge she tackled. She was an amazing teacher with a Bachelors of Art in Physical Education and Business, and Masters' Degrees in Social Work and Media Specialty.

Janice loved all things outdoors. As a cowboy's wife, she would drive bald-headed tractors in the summer, raise chickens, cattle and horses, feed farm crews, grow plentiful gardens and raise kids in her spare time. Nothing was too hard nor too intimidating. Goats, sheep, and fruit trees were all worked in as well. However, she often mentioned that one of her greatest mistakes was milking that first cow.

Her love of simplicity was shown through her love of learning. She could make pottery, quilt, run a weaving loom, knit, and sew. She could play the violin, piano, clarinet and twirl a baton second to none. Well except maybe that Elkhart girl with the flaming baton. She could attend the Governor's Ball one night and gather cattle the next day.

Jan was always passionate about everything she did...As a mom, she was tireless in her role as homemaker and proud of every child's accomplishments. Her compassion for all children was obvious to any who knew her, as she was often serving some child, some way. Working in orphanages, running a boys ranch or taking in foster kids were all to the benefit of a child. Her heart did not stop at international borders. In fact, the world was too small to stop Janice from helping a child.

She was highly respected inside and outside her family.

She was a woman of dignity. Her family will all continue to benefit from her legacy. She was truly a Proverbs 31 woman.