Eric Howard Jans

Eric Howard Jans, 58, of Easton, MD, died peacefully on September 3, 2017 at the Anne Arundel Medical Center, with his wife and loved ones by his side. Born in Landstuhl, Germany, in 1959, Eric was the son of a career Air Force officer. Eric’s family moved often until finally relocating to Fairfax, VA, where he spent his teenage years. As an adult, he moved to the Eastern Shore where he developed his skills as an artist. His medium was wood, and his canvas was the yachts he worked on. He was exceptionally passionate about his work, loved the challenge of creating, and enjoyed talking shop and sharing trade secrets with anyone. Eric was a spiritual, philosophical, and deep thinker with a wacky, engaging sense of humor. He pondered the big questions in life and believed our thoughts produce the outcome and provide the context which shape all of our life experiences. A tall, thin man with a voice as deep and smooth as the Black Russians, he enjoyed drinking, Eric was a loving, gentle giant who was able to provide tough love to inspire and encourage. He loved waterfalls and motorcycling the Dragon’s Tail and local putts with friends and family. He strove for positivity and meditated daily on encouraging, uplifting messages. He did not dwell on negativity and actively asked those around him to do the same. Eric lived true to what he believed: it is up to each one of us to live on our own terms, and he died doing just that: his death means renewed hope for others through Maryland’s Living Legacy Donor Program. Eric was a dedicated husband and friend and is survived by wife, Sheleen Schiera, and the animals he loved, Willie and Maddie, both Corgis, and Jack the Cat; his father Ken Jans, his brother and sister-in-law Brian and Brenda Jans; two sisters, Susan and Betsi Jans; and his lifelong friend, Joe Bailey and his wife Gretchen; nieces, Elizabeth Jans, Alyssa Chaffin, Virginia Link, Alice Miller, Olivia Schiera, Tian Schiera, and Tehva Schiera; nephews, Kevin Jans, Nick Jans,John Chaffin, Paul Einsig, and Silas Schiera; and many others forged through friendship and love of family. Eric was predeceased by his mother, Dee Jans. He would be most honored if those he leaves practice active gratitude, acknowledging the many blessings we have in life. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Heart Association at https://donatenow.heart.org/. A Memorial Service will be held on September 30, 2017, at 2pm, at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam, at 408 South Liberty Street, in Centreville, MD.