Today we celebrate the life of Jane Ellen Vance Tennant, a life filled with love, happiness and the joy of service to God and others.

Jane Ellen Vance was born August 15, 1921, in Echo Township in Antrim County, Michigan to Vernon and Ruth Carpenter Vance. Jane Ellen Vance graduated from East Jordan High School and the Traverse City State Hospital School of Nursing. She attended Central Michigan University and Teacher's College, Columbia University in New York City.

On September 5, 1946 at East Jordan United Methodist Church, she married Reverend Wirth George Tennant. She shared in his ministry at Traverse Bay United Methodist Church (formerly Asbury), and also at Scottville, Kingsley Larger Parish, Lake City, Montague, and Battle Creek Trinity United Methodist Churches. After his retirement, and while living in their home on Island View near Traverse City, she shared in his work at Kalkaska United Methodist Church, Williamsburg and Christ United Methodist Churches, near Traverse City and Traverse Bay (formerly Asbury) in Traverse City.

As a nurse she helped with blood banks, immunization clinics, and as a camp nurse. She was active in United Methodist Women and served as a district officer of that organization.

Preceding her in death were her parents, two brothers, Bryce Vance, and Barton Vance, and husband Wirth, in 1994.

Surviving are a son Mark (Deborah) Tennant of Pinckney, Michigan, three daughters, Carolyn (Paul) Farthing of New Hope, Pennsylvania, Luann (Frank) Coyne of Naperville, Illinois, and Mary (Brett) Talbott of Brighton, Michigan. Also surviving are grandchildren Bethany (Patrick) Wells, Erica Kupferschmidt, and Denise Kupferschmidt (TD Sidell), Nathan (Cheryl) Tennant, Carrie (David) Shumaker, Benjamin (Simone) Tennant, Emily (Jake) Lynema, Elizabeth (Chris) Honig, Shannon Coyne, Kayanna Telford, Joseph and Sarah Talbott, and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Also surviving is a sister, Patricia Schloop of Clark Community Grand Rapids, plus many nieces and nephews and other relations, and the many people in all the churches she served who loved her as one of their own.

Jane Ellen Vance Tennant had a genius for loving and encouraging every person who ever crossed her path. As one of her great-grandsons put it, "Grandma is always so interested in everything we do."

Jane Ellen Vance Tennant asked that any memorial contributions be given to any of the following: First United Methodist Church of Chelsea, Michigan, Traverse Bay United Methodist Church of Traverse City, Michigan, Christ United Methodist Church of Traverse City, Michigan, and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

Jane asked that her obituary close with these words: "Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! …For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever." Psalm 100:2,5

Visitation will take place Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015 from 6 utnil 8 p.m. at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Funeral services will be held at Traverse Bay United Methodist Church, 1200 Ramsdell Rd., Traverse City at 11:00AM on Wednesday, November 25th. Burial will be in East Jordan.

Please share memories and thoughts with the Tennant Family by visiting www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . The family is being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.