Former Hillsboro Sentry Enterprise co-owner Mary Jane Knowles, age 76,
passed away peacefully on Dec. 21, 2025, surrounded by family after a period of declining health following Alzheimer’s Disease and surgery.
A full obituary appeared in the Jan. 7 issue of the newspaper. According to the obituary:
Mary Jane Lanahan was born on Feb. 26, 1949, and was raised in Chicago, Ill., where she earned her nursing degree from Loyola University Chicago and devoted 45 years to her profession as a Registered Nurse. In 1975, Jane married Jack Knowles, and together they shared 46 years of marriage and raised three daughters.
After relocating to Hillsboro in 1989, she continued to work wherever she was needed in small rural on care across many areas of medicine, and concluded her career in nursing administration.
While in Hillsboro, she also served on the school board, becoming an advocate for children.
Jane and Jack were also owners of The Hillsboro Sentry Enterprise for 15 years, working side by side to help build a business founded on his lifelong dream of owning a newspaper. In 2021, Mary made the decision to move to Ohio to be closer to her children to receive support while caring for Jack, who died in 2022.
Jane is survived by her three daughters, grandchildren and friends.
A private burial will be held at a later date. The Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro assisted the family.
