Janet Sue Asher

Janet Sue (Rowland) Asher, 73, passed peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. 

Jan was born on October 18, 1949, in Shelbyville.  She was born and raised in Shelbyville and is the daughter of William K. Rowland and M. Jeanne (Bolen) Rowland Herd. She graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1967 and Purdue University in 1971.  She went on to earn her Master’s degree in 1975 at IUPUI.   Jan married her loving husband, Larry M. (Michael) Asher of 52 years on August 30, 1970, and he survives.

Jan and Mike have two sons that she is very proud of: Scott (wife, Christina) Asher and Brian (wife, Lori) Asher.  Mama Jan also had six grandchildren, Christopher, Lauren (fiancé, Manoli), Bryce, Luke (fiancé, Justice), Aidan and Sophia.  She also has one great grandchild, Anastasia.  Mama Jan also became the honorary grandma to many of her grandkids' friends. Jan is also survived by her Stepbrother Rickey Herd. Outside of her human family, she will be missed by her four-legged friends, and her cherished and loving in-law family.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents, her Stepfather Don Herd, her two brothers L. Ross Rowland and William K Rowland, and Stepsister Donna Hunter.

 Jan began teaching at Shelbyville High School in 1971 and remained in the SHS School system for 40 years.  She taught Physical Education at Shelbyville High School, Shelbyville Junior High, Shelbyville Middle School, and ended her tenure of teaching at Loper Elementary.

Coach Asher was the very first Shelbyville High School Volleyball coach.  She also coached gymnastics, track and Jr. High volleyball.  She won a tremendous number of games at the Jr. High coaching level, and this is where she cut her two future daughters-in- law from the volleyball team, which became a family joke for years to come.  Jan said she could never cut them from Team Asher!  She was involved in and an advocate for many major changes for female athletics.  She was also key in bringing the “Shape” Program to Shelbyville Middle School, where SMS received National attention and Jan was a two time presenter at The National Middle School National Convention.

She loved attending her son’s and grandchildren’s sporting events.  There was not a game that “Mom” or “Mama Jan” did not attend.  If Jan had a son or grandchild playing, you could guarantee she was in the stands!  Jan also was an avid race fan and attended 55 Indianapolis 500’s.  Jan and Mike also made a great team officiating high School volleyball where they were known as some of the best in the state.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 28, 2023, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 29, 2023, at the funeral home, with Rev. Bill Horner officiating.

Interment will be at Whispering Hope Cemetery in Shelbyville.

Jan requested that contributions in her memory be made to the Shelby County Animal Shelter, 705 Hale Road, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176, in lieu of flowers.

Online condolences may be shared with Janet’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.