Janis Rose "Jan" Cramer

Janis Rose (Beat) Cramer, 61, of Battle Creek, Michigan died with her family at her side on Monday, November 11, 2024, at Legacy of the Oaks.

 Jan was born October 26, 1963, in Tiffin, Ohio to Walter and Regina (Hartzel) Beat. She grew up in Tiffin, and was a 1982 graduate of Calvert High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Bowling Green State University and her Masters of Arts from The Ohio State University. Jan began her career as an art teacher in Crestline, Ohio, but spent the majority of her career at Springfield Middle School. She was married to Thomas Cramer on October 30th, 1987 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tiffin, Ohio.

 Surviving are her husband, Thomas A. Cramer; their two sons, Nicholas D. Cramer & his new bride, Madeline Miley, of Chicago, IL, Riley T. Cramer of Kalamazoo; Jan’s siblings, Michael (Anne) Beat of Wellington, OH, Thomas (Missy) Beat of Williamson, Georgia, Elaine (Jim) Smith of Tiffin, OH, Ron Beat of Columbus, OH; and numerous friends, nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Regina Beat.

 Jan loved art. She especially loved creating notebooks, scrapbooks, drawings, and jewelry. She was an avid gardener and kept her house full of art.

 Jan loved her friends and family. She was proud of her children’s accomplishments and made it to every ball game and concert she could. She enjoyed the company of all of her friends and smiled as hard as she made others smile.

 Jan loved teaching. She touched the lives of countless students as a loving and supportive art teacher.

 Jan loved helping others. At Springfield, she developed the Empty Bowls program, raising money for the Food Bank of South Central Michigan. She also volunteered at the Food Bank and at numerous other organizations. One birthday, her only wish was to go out to eat and pay for a random table’s meal as a random act of kindness.

 Jan loved. There was more love in her heart than most thought possible. This world is a better place for her having lived in it.

 Friends will be received 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19th, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by her nephew, Rev. Jeffery Smith at St. Philip Catholic Church on Wednesday, November 20th at 11:00 a.m.

 Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 10069 Detroit , MI 48210 (800) 227-2345. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.