Funeral services celebrating the life of Jane Kay Schell, 85, of Newark, will be held at Reed-Egan Funeral Home, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark, 11 A.M., Friday, July 24, 2026, with Fr. Tony Dinovo as celebrant.

Jane, a longtime parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, died at home on Saturday, July 18, 2026. She was born in Newark, Ohio on August 26, 1940 to the late Hartzell and Kathryn (Kemp) Kirk.

Jane excelled in many activities throughout her life. At Newark High School, she served as the class treasurer and was also a varsity cheerleader. Jane excelled in the arts, especially as a Denison University-trained singer, and was often hired as a local vocalist who qualified to attend Julliard. As a young woman, she was a fashion model for various local department stores in Columbus. At later stages of her life, Jane worked as a cosmetics and fragrance company brand ambassador.

Jane looked for ways to share her many talents, including submitting poems that were published in The Newark Advocate and entering a local photography contest. She enjoyed bowling, gardening, and dance. Jane had a thirst for reading, especially history, and was also a Master Gardener. She was a champion of higher education for all of her children and grandchildren.

Jane served on the Newark Catholic Athletic Association and helped to initiate the Newark Catholic High School Sports Store, which she operated for many years. She also volunteered at Newark Catholic, St. Francis, and with the American Cancer Society. She was a Licking Memorial Hospital Candy Striper and TWIG member.

Jane and David together built the Schell Bros. family business, which supported both the family and the community.

Jane was always an example of beauty, class, and grace, representing her family well.

Jane is survived by her children and their spouses, Kyle (Mark) Simoff, Lesha Farias (Allen Schwartz), Kirk (Jennifer) Schell, and Shannon (Toby) Hall; and her six granddaughters, Gabriela Farias, Lauren Farias (Spencer Peterson), Perry and Abigail Schell, and Paige and Bryn Hall.

In addition to her parents, Jane was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, David P. Schell; her sister, Donna Kirk; and other siblings.

The family expresses its deepest gratitude to the many caregivers and staff members of Home Instead, who provided Jane with the highest quality and most loving care in her final years. They also appreciate the hospice care of the medical staff of Ohio Living, who saw Jane through to the end.