Jan L. Lyon

Born in Decatur, Illinois on January 19, 1954

Departed on December 23, 2017 and resided in Orlando, Florida

On Saturday, December 23, 2017, Janice “Jan” L Lyon passed away at the age of 63 with her family by her side in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Born in Decatur, Illinois on January 19, 1954 to Carlos M Lyon and Jacqueline M Lyon, she was the oldest of six children. Jan’s passion for sports started at a young age when she began swimming at the Country Club of Decatur where she held records for many years. She became a standout in basketball and volleyball at Northwestern University while actively participating in the Chi Omega fraternity. Jan remains one of a handful of women inducted into the N Men’s Club, now the N Club. After graduating from Northwestern, she went on to study Sports Administration at The Ohio State University. Jan continued her passion for volleyball and became a coach at the high school and junior club levels throughout her career. She was a staff member of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and held multiple titles during her 35 years with the organization.

Books, movies, and history could all be described as some of Jan’s favorite things but she invested most of her time sharing her love with family and friends. Jan believed that Christmas was the most magical time of the year and spent time with her family carrying out their traditions. She will be missed dearly by her father Carlos M Lyon, by her siblings, Bruce Lyon (Jennifer), Kurt Lyon (Paula), Laura Lyon Fuller, Craig Lyon (Dawne), Eric Lyon and her thirteen nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother Jacqueline M Lyon and nephew Corbin Lyon.

A memorial and graveside service will be held in the spring at Fairlawn Cemetery in Decatur, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Guestbook Entries

Bruce W. Buchanan January 11, 2018 at 7:20 pm - Reply

There are few things more difficult than dealing with the loss of a loved one. I am honored that you have chosen our family to care for your family during this time. Please let me know if there is more we can do to help celebrate your loved-one’s life.

My Warmest Regards,

Bruce W. Buchanan
4th Generation Owner
Since 1881
Sukie Black January 12, 2018 at 10:44 am - Reply

Jan will forever be a part of us here at the AAU. I will miss all our little chats and all the years of sitting side by side at meetings.
They say where there is deep grief, there was great love. Jan was definitely respected, admired and loved. Miss you Lioness.
- Lauren January 19, 2018 at 6:00 pm - Reply
  
  Thank you Sukie! She loved you so much. We all loved having you a part of our summer family.
Jackie Markham January 12, 2018 at 11:15 am - Reply

Jan was such an influence on us here at the AAU House, that I still hear her in my thoughts as I go through each day. She isn’t really gone as long as she is in our hearts and minds.
Love you Jan! From one of the other “J’s” at the AAU.
- Lauren January 19, 2018 at 6:01 pm - Reply
  
  Jackie, we cannot tell you how much we love you. You are a part of our Florida family and an honorary Lyon. Thank you for sharing your love ♥️
Edgardo Arroyo January 12, 2018 at 3:01 pm - Reply

Rest in peace, you will be missed. May the Lord have you in his Glory.
Katie Nedelsky January 12, 2018 at 3:43 pm - Reply

Jan was one of the sweetest people I have ever met, I miss our daily International greetings that we would go back and forth with. I still hear her laugh in my head, whenever we are being silly in the office. I will miss you always sweet lady! I will forever be grateful for her making me feel apart of the AAU family. Arrivederci! Láska vždy
Rachel DOrazio January 12, 2018 at 3:46 pm - Reply

Jan is so missed by those of us who knew her at AAU. I keep thinking she will just walk down the hallway any minute. You are missed.
Barbara Newsom January 14, 2018 at 8:42 am - Reply

Working with Jan when AAU was in Indianapolis is one of my good memories. She was a joy to be around. Rest In peace.
Maribeth Echard Baier January 14, 2018 at 1:17 pm - Reply

Jan was a wonderful person and had words of encouragement for all who worked with her. She brightened my years with the AAU in Indianapolis and was always an inspiration. Jan was patient, kind, good-humored, and very professional at all times. She will be missed by all who knew her. May she rest in peace and be forever etched in our memories.
Debra Kimbrell January 15, 2018 at 6:25 pm - Reply

Earth has lost an angel and Heaven has called one home.
Iris "Ivy" Schuler January 16, 2018 at 10:05 am - Reply

Thank you, Jan for all things great and wonderful we shared for almost 22 years, especially Travis, Jackie, Lauren and Andrew as I will have them and Laura for a bit longer as you so graciously shared them with us. I had the idea that we would grow old gracefully together. Nothing will ever mend the heart pain of you leaving us, but how amazing and grateful I am our souls passed each other in this lifetime. Love never dies so I will always love you. Until we meet again, see you later alligator.
- Lauren January 19, 2018 at 6:02 pm - Reply
  
  We are so grateful she shared you with us, Ivy! You are so dear to us all 💛
Jill Gaddis January 16, 2018 at 10:36 am - Reply

I will forever miss Jan. We shared so many great memories and times together. Heaven has gained a special angel.
James Parker January 16, 2018 at 11:55 am - Reply

Jan you will be forever missed. Thank you for everything you taught me and for all of the laughs we shared!
Jean Hodges January 16, 2018 at 5:37 pm - Reply

So very sorry to hear this sad news. Jan was such a competent and knowledgeable staff member. Not only this, but we shall never forget her warmth She will be missed by us all!
Patricia McCauley January 16, 2018 at 10:13 pm - Reply

I did not know Jan well, but she was always willing to help me with whatever questions or problems I had in the several positions I held with the Oklahoma AAU. I met her early in my dealings with the AAU and she was always willing to help me with whatever I needed help with, long-distance. Jan will be missed and I am so sorry she will no longer be able to help new people coming into AAU, as she began helping me so so many years ago.
- Patricia McCauley January 16, 2018 at 10:14 pm - Reply
  
  I wanted to light a candle too.
Greg Turner January 17, 2018 at 12:14 pm - Reply

“Dissect the nerves of a champion… You’re sure to find courage, spirit and truth, affirmed with a boldness of faith…how can they lose.” Jan, you will always be a winner and a champion in the hearts and minds of all AAU family and countless others forever.
Kristy Sampson January 18, 2018 at 2:57 pm - Reply

Love you Jan♥️
Josette Wilder January 18, 2018 at 2:58 pm - Reply

The sun shines a lil less brightly, the wind is not as crisp, the birds sing yet not as sweetly, because the magical Jan is no longer here. I miss her, I miss how she always made you feel like the most special human being on the planet. If I could wrap my arms around the Lyon family, I would. Much love and healing juju to you all. xoxo
Kris Martin January 18, 2018 at 3:25 pm - Reply

Will miss your presence, God be with you Jan.
Eddie Clinton January 18, 2018 at 4:45 pm - Reply

Oh the words to discribe the memories. From the time we first met in Indy to the Survey Committee “meeting” in Las Vegas, thru the years working together in Lake Buena Vista. I used to kid her that if I ever got on “Millionaire”, I wanted her to be call for help. The width and depth of Her knowledge of was as astounding as her warmth and personality. Rest In Peace, my sweet friend!
Elizabeth Nichols January 18, 2018 at 5:02 pm - Reply

I will truly miss my friend Jan. She taught me much and encouraged me to stay positive when most needed. I reach into my heart and remember these words, where there was a beautiful soul, there are beautiful memories. So let the sunshine in and heal and rejoice in those wonderful memories. God surely has one special angle.
Mark Stanley January 18, 2018 at 6:11 pm - Reply

Jan will forever be in my fond memories of her, her sweet nature, our conversations about history, literature, music, movies, family, and everything else under the sun. We had a long phone call on one night when she took shelter in her closet during a hurricane that had hit Orlando. When we finally wrapped up the call, I told her to hang in there and let me know if everything was okay. I invite her to do the same now, although since she’s an angel, I know she’ll be fine.
Tom Leix January 18, 2018 at 7:42 pm - Reply

I ended up st the AAU because of a tip from Jan, and she quickly became the person I paid attention to in order to see “how things are done.” That never changed. Full of knowledge, a leader, a mentor…you could not help but know when Jan was around, and you were glad she was! So thankful our life paths crossed!
Marianne E May January 18, 2018 at 8:26 pm - Reply

I did not know that Jan my old friend from Northwestern passed away. May God be with Jan’s family. She was instrumental in helping our Varsity Volleyball team bring Jerry Angle to NU. She was a tireless professional in the NU Athletic Department and showed us new kids in volleyball the ropes!! I miss you old friend and teammate.
Blessings,
Marianne E. May
Bob & Wanda Blanford January 20, 2018 at 10:34 pm - Reply

Jan could answer any question, handle any problem, all the while with a great big smile. She will be missed and I know she has a special place in heaven. Rest In Peace, you will always have a place in our hearts.
Keith Noll January 22, 2018 at 11:01 am - Reply

I will miss our conversations, AAU and life in general, ‘past and current history’, conversations that truly showed your knowledge of American History.
R.I.P. Jan
Norma Treigle January 29, 2018 at 9:41 am - Reply

Jan was a wonderful person. She would always help with any question I had. I will miss our conversations and being her Face Book friend, sharing many laughs together. I know she is an Angel in heaven and is watching over us! Rest in peace my dear friend.
Norma Treigle – Southern District
Wongtzu Wiggins January 30, 2018 at 8:22 am - Reply

Hello I am a new member of AAU My deepest condolences go out to Mrs Lyon Family may the Lord lift up His contanence upon you all and give you His peace during this time of lost. God Bless and hearing how great she was is uplifting.
Dee Myers-Ward February 11, 2018 at 3:55 am - Reply

I worked with Jan at AAU in Indianapolis from 1987-1995. A short time in years but so many great memories. She was a leader, mentor and friend. So thankful our paths crossed so many years ago. Rest In Peace my friend!
Ron Popp August 14, 2019 at 7:43 pm - Reply

I just stumbled upon this and am shocked and saddened by the news. Jan & I and a bunch of others hung around each other @Northwestern and afterwards, playing volleyball and having goofy fun. A friend and I drove down to Carmel once to watch an elite volleyball match with Jan the next day. We got in late and Jan showed us to our beds. I was stunned to wake up the next morning to a Great Dane the size of a horse towering over me. Miss you, Jan. Keeping you and your loved ones in my prayers, So sorry to hear of your loss.

Ron Popp
NU ’78
Don Morgan August 14, 2019 at 9:29 pm - Reply

I remember Jan playing volleyball with all of us at the NU gym. She was a talented player and an even nicer person. She fit in so well with everyone and I still remember her smile. Those were such good times, playing volleyball and then going out afterwards to eat, talk, and laugh. I will miss you, Jan.

Don Morgan
NU ’75