Last Updated on May 24, 2023 by Fisher Funeral Chapel
*A memorial service is planned in June and the date is yet to be confirmed pending travel arrangements by family members.
Janie L. Hornung, 76, Logansport, passed away during her sleep on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at her home. Her presence on earth, a song. Her peaceful passing, the sweet benediction of a life well-lived.
Born May 15, 1947, in Logansport, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Carol (Anderson) Hornung. Janie grew up in the quiet, little town of Burnettsville, Indiana, where she was a lifelong member of the Burnettsville Baptist Church. She was a graduate of Twin Lakes High School in Monticello.
Her beautiful soprano voice was a gift from God. She shared her passion for music as a singer and a music teacher. Janie attended Butler College for one year before transferring to the Indiana University School of Music, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education in 1970. While at IU, Janie was a member of the Singing Hoosiers. She continued her post-graduate studies at Ball State University, where she received her Master’s degree in music performance in 1976.
Janie started her career as a 5th-12th grade music teacher in 1970 with the Attica Consolidated School Corporation. On August 26, 1971, she began a teaching career with the Logansport Community School Corporation that would span 40 years. For many years, Janie “planted seeds” in the hearts of young students, starting first at Tipton Elementary and finally, from 2003 until her retirement in 2011, at Landis Elementary School. She fostered a love of music in those students that contributed to the reputation of choral excellence that Logansport Community Schools now enjoys.
Between her years teaching at the elementary level, Janie spent the majority of her career with older students at Lincoln Middle School and Logansport High School where she directed the Freshman Choir, The Berry Tones, as well as the Swing Choir. She was also the choral director for many LHS Winter Fantasy and senior musical productions. Janie also trained and accompanied several vocal students to prepare for the Indiana State School Music Association competitions and All-State auditions. She was an excellent pianist – a job perk to the custodial staff in the school buildings – who enjoyed hearing her play and sing after school as they went about their chores. Janie’s consummate professionalism and dedication to music and to her students was her trademark. She worked very, very hard. Practice, practice, practice. Janie was always fun to be with. With that infectious laugh and smile, she would often good-naturedly banter with the kids – having so much fun making music together.
For many years, Janie was actively involved in the Logansport Civic Players, appearing as leads in many musicals – her favorites being Guinevere in Camelot, Mama Rose in Gypsy and as Magnolia in Showboat. She performed hours and hours of music for the community’s enjoyment. When she wasn’t on stage herself, she was helping backstage or in the box office. From 1984-85, she served as president of the Civic Players. One of the highlights as vocal director occurred in 1985 when the Civic Players collaborated with the Junior Civic Theater to present one of their most memorable productions, Peter Pan.
As a performer, Janie also sang with the Lafayette Bach Chorale; was a guest soloist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra when they performed at the McHale Performing Arts Center; appeared in Susannah with Chicago’s “Minus the Top Hat” Opera Company; performed many solos in Handel’s Messiah over the years – an annual production sponsored by the Cass County Churches United; and sang Mozart’s “Exaltate Jubilate” in the 1984 production of The Gift of Christmas.
Janie was also very involved in Sigma Alpha Iota, Daughters of the American Revolution Olde Towne Chapter, and the Order of Eastern Star. She served as president of the Tourist Club as well as holding local and state offices for Delta Kappa Gamma.
In naming her Citizen of the Week in 2019, then Mayor Dave Kitchell said, “In Jane, we have a music educator who shared her gifts with the community, and encouraged and directed amateur performances for productions and festivals that supported our arts community. It’s something not many people can do, and much of it she’s done out of her passion for music.”
Surviving are her brothers, Louis Hornung and Mark Hornung; and her sister, Cora Lienemann, of Rushville, IN; several nieces, nephews and extended family members. Janie is also survived by an entire cast of townspeople in her theater/music family, including good friends Carol Pasquale and Ken Fraza, of Logansport, and Sue Green, DDS, of Rossville.
A memorial service celebrating Janie’s life will be held in mid-June. The date and time will be announced soon.
Fisher Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services have been entrusted with arrangements. You may share memories, photos and condolences on her Tribute Wall at www.fisherfuneralchapel.com.