Janis Elaine Melvin was born at home on July 15, 1936, in Rock Port, Missouri, the daughter of Herbert and Gertrude Melvin. Jan was a 1954 graduate of Rock Port High School, where her many activities included a year as Grand Worthy Advisor for Rainbow Girls of Missouri. She attended William Woods College before graduating from the University of Missouri in 1958 with a B. A. in English literature. She was a member of the Delta Delta Delta fraternity.

She married Jim Fall of West Memphis, Arkansas, in 1959. Pursuing Jim’s career as a journalist, they lived in Carbondale, Illinois; Fayetteville, North Carolina; Rock Port; West Memphis, Arkansas; Albany, Missouri; El Dorado, Arkansas; and Maryville, Missouri, before making their home in Helena in 1995. Jan worked as a teacher, librarian, Realtor and in several bookstores. She was a constant helper and companion to Jim in his newspaper career.

In Helena, Jan was an active member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral and the Episcopal Church Women; she was honored as Volunteer of the Year by the Friends of the Montana Historical Society, and served as treasurer of the Fortnightly Club of Helena. Jan was a PEO, Chapter AY Montana.

Jan is survived by her husband, Jim, of Helena, retired executive director of the Montana Newspaper Association, and three children, Tim and wife, Jennifer, of Venice, California; Susie and her husband, Bob Fagan, of Overland Park, Kansas; and Sarah and husband, Frosty Tempel, of Fort Worth, Texas.

Following treatment for lymphoma in 2002, Jan had returned to a very active life, traveling to see her family and enjoying her many friends. She became ill and declined rapidly in the span of just over one week. Jan died Sunday, September 24, 2006 while resting peacefully in St. Peter’s Hospital, Helena. She was 70 years old.

Graveside memorial services were held at 11:00 a.m. Monday November 20th, 2006, at Elmwood Cemetery, Rock Port. Memorials may be directed to the Liberty Theater, in care of, Atchison County Memorial Building Foundation.