Jana Rae Kiper, a cherished resident of Cromwell in Ohio County, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2025, at the age of 61, surrounded by her loving family at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital.
Born on June 13, 1964, in Woodford County, Kentucky, to the late Eldon Ray and Dorothy Jameson Ward, she embodied the enduring values of kindness and compassion that defined her nurturing presence in the close-knit rural communities of Beaver Dam and surrounding areas. The region mourns the gentle departure of a woman whose warm spirit fostered deep familial connections and quiet strength.
As a dedicated homemaker, Jana poured her energy into creating a home environment rich with love and stability, prioritizing the care and well-being of those closest to her throughout her life in Kentucky. Her lifestyle centered on familial devotion, finding profound joy in everyday moments that strengthened bonds and provided unwavering support to her loved ones. This commitment reflected her compassionate nature, ensuring a legacy of emotional warmth in Ohio County households.
Jana’s greatest source of pride and fulfillment resided in her expansive family, leaving behind three devoted sons—Monte (Catrina) Gullett of Cromwell, Nelson (Sharon) Kiper of McHenry, and John (Sarah) Nichols of Crestwood—who cherished her guidance and affection.
She delighted in her role as a grandmother to eight grandchildren, including Timmy (Madi) Gullett, Nevaeh Gullett (Robert), Jordan (Kenzie) Gullett, Tyler (Alyssia), JR Nichols, Little Tom Nichols, Aaron (Angel), and Anthony, as well as nine great-grandchildren such as Remmy, Chris, Preston, Willow, Allyson, Nova, Summer, Adalyn, and Tobi Gullett. Additionally, sister Deana Berry of Crestwood survives her, alongside her late husband Willie Kiper who preceded her in 2016.
The Ohio County community extends heartfelt support during this period of grief, reflecting on how Jana’s compassionate approach enriched daily interactions and familial gatherings in Cromwell and nearby locales. She chose cremation with a private service at a later date, allowing intimate remembrance among those most affected while honoring her preference for simplicity. Arrangements were entrusted to William L. Danks Funeral Home in Beaver Dam, facilitating online condolences for widespread expressions of sympathy.
Though the precise cause of her passing remains a private matter amid her hospital transition, the emphasis rests on celebrating Jana’s contributions as a homemaker whose kindness created lasting ripples in family life. The peaceful surroundings of loved ones at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital underscored the supportive network she cultivated over decades. Such transitions highlight the importance of cherishing relational depth in rural Kentucky settings.
Jana Rae Kiper lived a life well lived, distinguished by compassionate homemaking, profound maternal and grandmaternal devotion, and a gentle spirit that uplifted her family in Cromwell, Kentucky. Her legacy endures through the strengthened bonds she nurtured across sons, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and siblings, providing enduring comfort and inspiration. In this season of remembrance, her memory serves as a testament to embracing love, kindness, and togetherness within the heartfelt fabric of Ohio County community life.