Guiding with Grace: Jan Watkins on Service, Leadership, and Community

When service and compassion meet, they create a life of quiet impact. Few embody that balance better than Jan Watkins, funeral director and accountant at Reeb Funeral Home, and the newest voice featured in our Women in the Driver’s Seat series.

Jan’s path is rooted in both numbers and people. Beginning her career as a CPA, she developed a meticulous eye for detail and a strong foundation of trust. More than a decade ago, she transitioned into funeral service, where compassion and steadiness became the hallmarks of her daily work. At Reeb Funeral Home, Jan blends professional precision with personal care, guiding families with grace during life’s most difficult moments.

Her leadership, however, does not stop there. Jan serves as Treasurer of the Sylvania Rotary, contributes her insight to the board of Metamora State Bank, and helps steer growth as part of the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce. Whether balancing accounts, leading initiatives, or contributing her voice to community boards, she carries the same calm commitment to building a better hometown.

Outside of professional settings, Jan finds renewal along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, where long walks provide both peace and perspective. That sense of balance between personal grounding and public service defines who she is—a steady, uplifting presence wherever she goes.

The Women in the Driver’s Seat episode reveals more than a professional profile. It uncovers a leader, a community partner, and a neighbor whose influence is felt in ways big and small. Jan’s story reminds us that leadership is not always about the spotlight but about consistency, care, and connection.

Watch Jan Watkins interview now!