Dorothy Jane Gilbert Hendrickson

Dorothy Jane Gilbert Hendrickson, age 91, died May 29, 2026 in Fishers, Indiana. 

Born September 1, 1934, near New London (Howard County) Indiana, Jane was the daughter of John Wendell Gilbert and Lula Mae Stout Gilbert. She was a graduate of Western High School and married Gene Gordon Hendrickson on November 27, 1952 at New London Friends Church. It was the first wedding at the present church which replaced the former structure which had been destroyed by fire. 

Gene and Jane began their life together as farmers, and she also worked at First National Bank, Dietzen’s Bakery, and First Federal Savings Bank while building a successful business with Gene, Hendrickson Distributing in Russiaville. Gene and Jane enjoyed over 70 years of marriage and adventures until his death in 2023. In business, Jane was known to be a meticulous and scrupulous financial manager. 

A driving force in family and business, Jane was a faithful Quaker, a quiet feminist, and a great friend to a wide variety of women, men, children and pets. Her enduring passion, known to all, was music. An accomplished musician, Jane played organ and piano for countless weddings, funerals, and church services for more than six decades, as well as family gatherings with children and grandchildren singing along. She could play any music set before her, and even in her last months of life was able to play beloved hymns by heart. Jane instilled this love of music in so many – helping everyone in the family and anyone else who was interested to pick up an instrument or get up and sing. 

Even when away from a piano or organ, Jane’s hands were never idle. She sewed the family’s clothes, needle-pointed our Christmas stockings, knit and crocheted, and gifted many family members with “Made by Jane” quilts and other items. She created and donated hundreds of lap quilts and baby quilts. 

Jane possessed a love of the written word that had been passed down in her family for centuries. An excellent student, Jane loved reading and writing, and continued writing poetry through much of her life. Crossword puzzles were a daily ritual, to be worked until every blank was filled. 

In addition to her talents and pastimes and her many business and community obligations, Jane spent her life caring for others. She liked to say she had helped to raise her baby brother, Joe, who she referred to as the best birthday gift she ever received, arriving only days after she turned 10. She went on to care for her parents and mother-in-law, as well as other friends and relatives in their aging years. She was a fierce and loving mother to her three children, and an adoring “Grandma Jane” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She established nurturing relationships with every niece and nephew, who will forever remember her as “Aunt Jane.” 

In addition to her parents, Jane was preceded in death by her brother John “Jack” Stout Gilbert, son David Kent Hendrickson who passed in 2012 with Jane at his side, and husband Gene G. Hendrickson. She is survived by sister Marjorie (Jim) Baurley, brother Joseph (Susie) Wendell Gilbert, son Gene Gilbert Hendrickson, and daughter Marcia (Stephen) Hall. She is also survived by grandchildren Lauren (Steve) Guynn, Whitney Jane (Nick) Sumpter, Blake (Taylor) Clutter, Davis (Madison) Clutter, and Miles Clutter, as well as great-grandchildren Maxwell, Zoey, Hailey Jane, Ty, Rowen, Ellie, Norah, and a little boy Clutter on the way, and a network of extended family and friends. 

A Celebration of Life will take place from 3 pm to 5 pm Friday June 19, 2026, at The Mayberry  -- Life Event Center, 230 E. Main St., Russiaville, IN 46979. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made in Jane’s memory to New London Friends Church, First Friends Church, or the Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County, shepherdscenterofhamiltoncounty.org. Stout & Son Funeral Home – Russiaville Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.

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