Jan Marie Van Hise

Jan Marie Van Hise departed her earthly abode to dwell in the House of Our Lord on January 2nd, 2015 at the age of 61. She was born in Coral Gables, Florida on June 22nd, 1953 to James Marshall and Violet (Hietnam) Van Hise. Jan was preceded in death by both of her parents, and one of her dearest friends, Gail Swisher, who passed away just two years and one day prior to Jan. As a young girl Jan attended Mount Dora Christian Home and Bible School, where she was educated from 1963-1971. She often times recalled to family and friends her wonderful, loving experience while in attendance there and of the lasting friendships she made; not to mention the wonderful education she received and her positive interaction with the faculty and staff. Jan moved from Florida to Little Rock in 1975 and continued her studies at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. It was there that she graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in Nursing and immediately thereafter passed her state exams to become a Registered Nurse. Jan's career spanned several decades, and she felt honored to serve Arkansas Children's Hospital as an R.N., University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences as surgical R.N. and John L. Mc Clellan Veteran's Administration Hospital as surgical R.N. in orthopedics. Jan's dedication to her work and compassionate care for her patients was recognized by administration, doctors and fellow nurses alike; and she in turn received numerous commendations, honors and awards during her service in the nursing profession. She was especially proud of her service to our nation's veterans. Jan loved animals and was very dedicated to her K-9 Kids Bear, Miss Lilly and Darwin. Jan was also an avid traveler, and loved "Globe Trekking" as she and her friends called it. Perhaps her love to see the world stemmed from the fact that she once lived with her parents in Ikeja, Nigeria; where as a pilot, her father flew for and trained the Nigerian Air Force. Jan, along with her travel companions, ventured to such destinations as Amsterdam, Ireland, Scotland, England, Italy and Hawaii. As recently as 2013 she enjoyed two weeks touring New Zealand and Australia. Jan leaves behind to cherish her memory her brother, Jim Van Hise (Shirley) of Copper Hill, Tenn.; nephew, Jimmy Van Hise (Amanda); nieces, Allison; Sophia; Tristan and Megan (Steven); cousins, Patty Whiten and Bill Parker, both of whom reside in Georgia and her Godson Michael Swisher and his brother Daniel. She also leaves behind two very special friends whom she deeply loved; Sally Junkin and Nikki Harper. Needless to say, Jan's love touched a multitude of people too numerous to recognize individually, who will miss her dearly. Jan's family, along with her friends Sally and Nikki, wish to sincerely thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Hospice Home Care in Little Rock for their loving and compassionate care which blessed Jan during her final days of life. A Visitation will be held for Jan at Griffin Leggett Healey Roth Funeral Home, 5800 West 12th Street in Little Rock; on Thursday, January 8th, at 4 p.m. The Memorial Service will follow immediately thereafter at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Pulaski County Humane Society and the Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute at UAMS. Please visit our website and share your memory of Jan with her family and friends at www.griffinleggerr.com.