Jill R. (Mele) Jackson, 42, Roann, Ind., died Thursday, Jan. 18, at Stillwater Hospice Home in Fort Wayne, following a heroic two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer.
She was born Aug. 7, 1981, to Steve and Jane Mele in Allegan. She married Kyle Jackson on July 22, 2006, in Wabash, Ind. They raised two sons, Landon (13) and Logan (9) in Roann.
Jill enjoyed many adventures in her life and accomplished much! In her youth. She was a member of her local 4-H Club and Peer Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS), was a camp counselor, and played on her high school and college volleyball teams. She loved to explore nature; gardening, camping, vacationing, hiking, snorkeling, and swimming topped the list throughout her life. She faithfully attended her son’s activities, worshiped with her church family at Bachelor Creek Church of Christ.
Jill’s love of education started with reading Laura Ingalls Wilder books, which led her to a career in education. She graduated with honors from Hopkins High School in 1999; graduated from Manchester College with a bachelor’s degree in English Education in 2003, and earned her master’s degree from Ball State University.
She taught at Gateway Education Center in Warsaw and White’s Jr.-Sr. High School in Wabash before becoming an administrator in the Warsaw Community Schools district as assistant director at the Warsaw Area Career Center. Jill was awarded the Indiana ACTED Administrator of the Year award in 2023 for her exceptional and tireless efforts in her position.
Jill is survived by her husband, Kyle Jackson, and sons, Landon and Logan, parents, Steve and Jane Mele, Allegan, father and mother-in-law, Henry and Marcia Jackson, Roann; four siblings, Gina (Lucas) Krick; Will (Kelly) Mele; Kyle (Lisa) Mele; Luke (Becca) Mele; sister-in-law, Amy (Shannon) Floor; and 14 nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 2, at Hopkins Community Church.
March In lieu of flowers, an educational fund has been established for her sons. Checks should be made payable to Kyle Jackson designating the fund.
Another soul lost in the prime of life. My sincere condolences to her family and friends.