Jeanne H. VanTyle

Jeanne Hawkins Van Tyle, 71, a wonderful wife, mother, sister, pharmacist, professor, mentor, confidante, and friend passed away on Friday, December 9, 2022, with her family near her side. Jeanne was born January 3, 1951, in Indianapolis to the late Lawrence Kelsey and Mary Julia Hawkins. The youngest of six children, she was beloved and cherished by all in her family.

Jeanne graduated from Cardinal Ritter High School in 1969 and won a full scholarship to Butler University through a science fair. After graduating the pharmacy program in 1974, Jeanne went on to Mercer University to receive her Doctor of Pharmacy in 1976. Following a post-doctoral fellowship at SUNY Buffalo in pharmacokinetics, Jeanne returned to Indianapolis and began working at St. Vincent Hospital. She also began as an adjunct faculty member before eventually moving full-time in academia. Jeanne taught at Butler for over 40 years before retiring 2017.

Jeanne received many accolades and awards during her professional career but among her most proud were the Bowl of Hygeia award she received in 2010 from the Indiana Pharmacists alliance as well as the Butler Service Medal in 2018 from Butler University. Both of these awards recognized Jeanne for her outstanding service to the community, dedication to her career as a pharmacist, and leadership she displayed in encouraging students to pursue their dreams in pharmacy.

Jeanne truly had a “heart for others” whether that was through her many hours of volunteer work with Gennesaret Free Clinics and other non-profits, her hours spent with students or mentees, and just always being willing to lend a helping hand. Jeanne was honored as the Gennesaret Free Clinic Volunteer of the Year and during the pandemic operated a mobile pharmacy in her home to continue to allow patients access to their prescription medications. No ask was too small for Jeanne: she truly would give every ounce of her time, love, and efforts to others.

Jeanne was the proud mother of two daughters, Rachel and Emily. She adored and was so proud of both of her daughters. She was actively involved in their lives from coaching kickball teams to being a girl scout troop leader. She also instilled in her children her love of Butler basketball. Often times you could find Jeanne with her daughters enjoying Jeanne’s favorite of Mexican food or planning their next trip to Sanibel Island, Jeanne’s happy place.

Jeanne and her husband Kent had a wonderful love story and marriage. Jeanne met her husband, Kent, in 1974 when she took a graduate course from him while she was a student at Butler University and Kent had returned to teaching. More than 7 years later, Kent and Jeanne wed in 1982. After Jeanne worked several years at St. Vincent Hospital, Jeanne accepted a position at Butler University to work full-time as a professor, where Kent also worked. For almost 40 years, Kent and Jeanne taught in the same building, with the same colleagues, and the same students. They would then come home to each other and spend their evenings chatting about what they loved: their work, their students, and their family. Never was there a day that either was mad or upset with each other. A true testament to their marriage, and friendship, which lasted more than forty-years. In Kent and Jeanne’s spare time, they enjoyed traveling together, browsing antique shops, and learning about genealogy.

Jeanne was kind, thoughtful, generous, loving, fun, warm, smart, sarcastic, down-to-earth, considerate, and so much more. The loss of Jeanne is so much more than just to her family, but to the Butler community, the patients she volunteered for, her friends, her colleagues, and everyone she met. There is not a single person who did not meet her wonderful soul and think how blessed they were to have known her. She will be missed dearly.

Jeanne is survived by her husband of 40 years, Kent Van Tyle, her daughters Rachel and Emily, and future son-in-law, Peter Chimenti. She is also survived by her sister, Janet Zetzl, and many nieces, nephews and cousins all of whom she loved and cherished dearly.