Janis "Jan" Gildner

Jan Gildner was born to Martha and Richard Gildner August 22, 1949. Her brother, Larry Gildner, and her parents preceded her in death. Helping others was Jan’s calling. To fulfill her calling, she earned an MSW from Kent School of Social Work in Louisville. She began her career in mental health and eventually specialized in therapeutic work with children at the Bingham Child Guidance agency.

Jan was invited to teach for one year for the Department of Social Work at Ball State University. One year stretched to eighteen years with Jan coordinating field placements, teaching human behavior and social work practice classes. During this time Jan also held leadership positions with Indiana Chapter of the National Association for Social Workers.

Jan left her teaching position to direct educational program for Prevent Child Abuse Indiana and to live in Indianapolis with her husband, Jim Trulock. Jan and Jim began a ritual of traveling to the Interlochen Center for the Arts every summer. Jim introduced Jan to art, music and theater with travels from London to New York City. Together, Jim and Jan hosted Christmas and birthday parties around their dining room table along with writers’ meetings, an old time singing group and a variety of gatherings of friends to share food and laughter.

Jan is survived by her nephew, Mark Gildner; her niece, Suzanne Balcom; her step-son, James P. Trulock; and many step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jan passed peacefully with her husband, James A. Trulock.