Jane Eyerly Kozuszek, 89, died at home in St. Louis, MO, on March 22, 2026, after four years of Parkinson’s disease. She was born on December 9, 1936, to Frank and Jeannette Eyerly in Des Moines, IA. She graduated in 1958 from Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, IN, where she earned a BA degree in English Literature and Christian Culture. She was married to her beloved husband, Larry Kozuszek, for nearly 60 years. She worked as a writer and editor of for 48 years at Washington University, St. Louis University, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and others.
Her husband, Larry Kozuszek, her son, Walter F. Kozuszek, and her sister, Susan Eyerly Pichler, survive her. Her daughter, Carey Jane Kozuszek (Stacey Wiggall), preceded her in death. She deeply loved her three grandchildren: Esme Kozuszek, Simon Kozuszek, and Henry Kozuszek. Her sister-in-law Audrey (Vince Thomas, Jr.), and nieces (11) and nephews (11) also survive her.
Jane lived according to the three cardinal virtues: Faith, Hope and Love. She was a loving wife and mother and had a lifelong love of family and of literature and travel, which she shared with recent and longtime friends. She had a keen intellect and remained an avid newspaper reader her entire life. Her friends and family appreciated her wit and insights. She is loved and dearly missed. Fortified by the Sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church, she gave up her soul to the Lord and His Divine Mercy.
She donated her body to St. Louis University Medical School. A memorial Mass will be offered on Tuesday, April 14, at 10:00 am at St. Michael Archangel Catholic Church, 7622 Sutherland Avenue, Shrewsbury, MO 63119. There will be a luncheon for the participants after Mass in the parish hall. Parking is available behind the church.
Donations may be made in her memory to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, apda@apdaparkinson.org or Saint Patrick Center, St. Louis, MO, 800 N. Tucker Blvd., St. Louis, MO (314) 802-0700 Jane’s obituary is on the Kutis Funeral Home-Affton Chapel website.