Jan M. Rule

Jan M. Rule died peacefully at his home at the Willows of Bowling Green on Thursday, August 8, 2024. He was 77 years old.

Jan joins those on the other side that precede him in death: his mother, Miona (Hookway) Rule; his father, George Rule, and his older brothers, Bruce and Rod. He is survived by his children, Benjamin Rule (Amy, Newark OH), Elizabeth Sahler (Curtis, Battle Ground WA), and Hannah Rule (Chris Swenski, Columbia SC); his five grandchildren-Gavin David, Remy, Wren (Ben & Amy), Mena and Addie (Elizabeth & Curtis) and his older brother, Mark Rule (Carol, Toledo OH). His gentle, loving kindness is already sorely missed.

Jan was born in Galion, OH on February 4, 1947. Jan graduated from Northmor High School in Galion in 1965.

Jan earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Bowling Green State University in 1969. He was a member of the ACappella Choir and the Delta Epsilon Fraternity. He was tenor soloist in Galion Community Choir’s rendition of “Messiah” in 1969. He worked at Hercules Galion that year to go back to Bowling Green, where he met future wife, Victoria Andrews. They married September 2, 1972 and would go on to have three children - Ben, Elizabeth, and Hannah. Jan then began working at Cain’s Potato Chip factory full time until February 17, 1974, when he and Victoria were commissioned as Missionaries to God’s Garden by the Plain Congregational Church. Jan earned a Masters of Secondary Education in June of 1975.

Jan purchased a ServiceMaster Clean franchise in 1980, owning and managing the business for 25 years and selling it in 2008. Jan and Victoria divorced in 1989. Jan became active at First Presbyterian Church in Bowling Green around this time, where he served as a Deacon and Elder, a member of various committees, Sunday school teacher, and a tenor in the Chancel Choir. He served as chairman of the Interfaith Chaplain’s Committee of Wood County from 1990 to 2005, ministering across county jails and training new chaplains. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and a regular blood donor to the Red Cross.

Jan married Stephanie Riter in 2002. They lived in Michigan, Wisconsin, Sylvania, and Michigan again in their time together and hosted a foreign exchange student, Heni. Jan worked at the YMCA and also pursued certifications in security, working as a 3rd shift guard for several years. He also earned his provisional certification to teach high school social studies, and he worked for a time as a substitute teacher. Though Jan didn’t realize his career as an educator, he always found ways to teach. Stephanie and Jan divorced in 2020, and he relocated to Sylvania.

Jan’s life was defined by service to others. He was kind, generous, loving, huge-hearted, and funny. He had a scholar’s mind, an unflagging belief in love, and penchant for discourse on politics and current events. Jan loved The Lord; he was deeply religious but never dogmatic. He loved nature, classical music, gardening, singing, Detroit Tigers baseball, and his children, he was an exceptional dad. Jan was a friend to all creatures great and small, but to dogs most of all.

His family would like to express their sincere gratitude to all the angels at The Willows of Bowling Green, Bridge Hospice, Sister Julie Meyers and Sister Dianna Lynn Eckel. Jan’s final arrangements are entrusted to the care of The Cremation Society of Toledo. A celebration of Jan’s life is being planned for a forthcoming day in Bowling Green, Ohio, summer of 2025. The family will circulate details when finalized.

For those near and far who wish to remember Jan, we invite you to leave a message of remembrance, consider planting a tree, tending a garden, or making a charitable donation in Jan’s honor.