Jane F. Sheehan, 96, passed away on Oct. 12, 2026.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Jane was the daughter of James and Helen McKinley Lynagh. She grew up with six siblings—Mary, Edward, James, Anne, Helen, and John, all of whom predeceased her. Jane graduated from St. Brendan’s High School in Brooklyn in June 1949.

Jane married her high school sweetheart, William Francis “Bill” Sheehan, and together they built a life centered on family and his service in the United States Marine Corps. As a military spouse, Jane navigated the changes and demands of military family life while raising their four children. They were married just shy of 50 years.

Following Bill’s retirement as a colonel in 1979, the family established ties to Fayette and Central Methodist University, where he served as a faculty member in the business department.  Jane pursued her own education at Central, earning an associate degree in 1986.

In her retirement years, she enjoyed playing cards with friends, seeing productions at the Lyceum Theatre in Arrow Rock, MO, crocheting for people or organizations she loved, volunteering at Boone Hospital Center, and being an engaged Nana to her grand and great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Francis ‘Bill’ Sheehan, and her grandson, William M. Morrison. Her children are Kathleen Morrison (Rick), Jim Sheehan (Ellen), William “Bill” Sheehan, Jr. (Wendy), and Patricia Sheehan (Connie). Her family also includes grandchildren John Morrison (Molly), Kari Morrison Bailik (Amy), and Samantha Delissio (Zach), William F ‘Tripp’ Sheehan, III, Morgan Sheehan, granddaughter-in-law Ashley Morrison, and great-grandchildren Rebecca Jane Morrison and Addison J Delissio.

Jane had a number of special friends, including Carolyn Riley, Andy Madera, Victor Abutu, Scott Graham, Bob and June Young, Johnny Andrews, and his late wife Gracie.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Columbia, MO. Memorial remarks will be held before the service, starting at 10:45 a.m. Burial at Arlington National Cemetery will be held privately at a later date.

Memorial gifts may be sent to the Col. Sheehan Hall of Sponsors Scholarship at Central Methodist University, Fayette, Missouri, honoring the family’s enduring connection to Central and supporting opportunities for its students.