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Mary Jane “Janie” Fairchild was born March 21, 1923 in Blackwell, Oklahoma to George F. and Beatrice E. (Clouse) Sears. She died on February 24, 2023 at St Mary’s Hospital in Enid surrounded by her family. She grew up in the oilfields around Blackwell and Nardin. She lived in Nardin for several years as a youngster surrounded by her maternal grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. She loved music and learned to play piano, guitar, and violin. She graduated from Deer Creek High School in 1941. In July 1945, she was introduced to Vernon Bovard by her roommate and life-long friend, Faye Hasselbring Petersen. Vernon and Janie were married in Enid, OK on July 28, 1945 and established a residence there. They moved back to Blackwell in 1948. They were both family oriented and took in Vernon’s nephews, Harry Monroe and Glen in the early 50’s and raised them. They adopted Jeffrey Lynn in 1960. In 1974, Vernon retired from Blackwell Zinc and they moved to Cherokee, OK where they operated Southgate Coffee Shop with Vernon’s cousin until 1976, when they purchased the historic Max Theatre in Cherokee and operated it until 1980 when Vernon’s health began to fail. Vernon passed away in April 1983 and Janie returned to Blackwell to care for her parents. She met M.G. “Buster” Fairchild and they began going out dancing and on August 8, 1984, they were married in Ponca City by Rev. Leland Petersen, husband of her best friend, Faye. Buster and Janie spent the next 16 years travelling across the country, camping at Kaw Lake with the family, playing bingo and enjoying life. Buster passed away January 2000. Janie was a strong Christian and attended Christ’s Church for the past 20 years where she also served as Card Secretary for the congregation. Janie always had a smile and hug for all she knew. She was a 70+ year member of Eastern Star, the VFW Auxiliary, and Friends of Nardin.
