Catherine "Cathy" Jancek

July 24, 1950 - February 6, 2018

Catherine “Cathy” Truman Jancek, age 67, of Rensselaer, Indiana passed away February 6, 2018, at Franciscan Health Rensselaer emergency room. Cathy Truman was born in East Chicago, Indiana on July 24, 1950 and was a distant relation to former President Harry S. Truman. Cathy graduated from East Chicago Roosevelt High School and received her Associate of Applied Fire Science degree at Ivy Tech. She was proud to be the first female civilian Fire Inspector for the East Chicago (IN) Fire Department, a position she held for seven years. Cathy left the East Chicago Fire Department in January 1986 when she went to work for the Indiana State Fire Marshall’s office as a State Inspector. On 9-11-2001 Cathy was diagnosed with lung cancer and after many surgeries retired from her position with the Indiana Fire Marshall’s office. She was a member of the National Fire Protection Association. Cathy was married to Michael Jancek on the beautiful back deck at Lincoln and Jefferson Street in Rensselaer on October 7, 1989. Cathy was a wonderfully positive person who always had a smile upon her face and will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Surviving is her loving family, husband Michael, son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Cindy (Fishburn) Francis of Rensselaer and grandson Austin Andrew Francis. Friends will be received at the Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Ben Hertel officiating. Memorials are suggested to the Riley Hospital for Children, St. Jude Research Hospital or the American Cancer Society.