Jane Sims

Jane Sims of Whiting, NJ passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on June 20, 2022. She was born in Lakewood, NJ May 21, 1926 and was a Lakewood High School graduate of the Class of 1943. Upon graduation, she went to work at Lakehurst Naval Air Station to help with the war effort. Jane moved to Jackson in 1962 with her husband Harry and their children.

 Jane was a mom to many people over the years and dedicated her life to helping others. Jane’s volunteer work helped shape Jackson and she is a member of the Jackson Hall of Fame.  In 1963, she and her husband Harry were two members of a neighborhood group that founded the Holbrook Little League. Jane organized the 1st Women’s Auxiliary becoming the 1st President and served on the Board of Directors for 15 years. She also volunteered as a Girl Scout troop leader to the neighborhood girls. In the early 1970’s, Jane organized the 1st Jackson Memorial High School Wrestling Booster Club and later the Jackson Memorial High School Soccer Booster Club. This included organizing the many candy and flower sales for the athletic awards banquets. Jane later volunteered at Paul Kimball Hospital, and became a Master Gardener volunteer with her husband at the Ocean County Extension Center. She became an accomplished ceramics artist and certified instructor that taught classes at home and in night school for many years. In her 70’s, she became a ticket taker at the Lakewood Blue Claws until she was 85. She was also a breast cancer survivor for 58 years.

Jane’s greatest joys were family picnics, her beautiful garden, and her little dachshund Heidi. She was predeceased by her husband Harry M. Sims, brother James “Bud” Wetterling, and parents Albert and Alice Wetterling. She is survived by sons Kenny and wife Nila, Harry and wife Chris, Bob and wife Irene, and daughter Geraldine Vergona and husband Rich. Grand children Steve, Lindsay, Kyle, Rachel, Michael, Josh, Sandy, Todd, Carol, and many great and great/great grandchildren who she loved dearly.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, June 29 from 4-7pm at Horizon Funeral and Cremation Services 1329 Route 37 West Toms River, NJ. Followed by a gathering for family and friends, as the party that Jane requested, at Three B’s Bistro 314 NJ-70 Lakehurst, NJ. Casual attire and bring a funny story or fond memory.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jane’s memory to the Popcorn Park (Zoo) Animal Refuge,  1 Humane Way Forked River, NJ 08731, or, the National Parks Conservation Assn.  777 6th Street NW  Suite 700  Washington DC 20001.