Dillsboro Elementary Mourns Loss Of 31-Year Teacher

Darla Jacobs died suddenly on Tuesday, May 15.

Darla Jacobs, a teacher at Dillsboro Elementary School, died on Tuesday, May 15. 

(Dillsboro, Ind.) – Usually at this time of the school year, students are excited by the anticipation of summer break.

But students and staff at Dillsboro Elementary School are instead trying to get used to school life without a woman who has been a staple in the classroom for decades.

Third grade teacher Darla Jacobs died unexpectedly Tuesday.  

Jacobs was a teacher at Dillsboro Elementary for 31 years – she started there in 1987.

“We’ve got teachers here who were once in her class, and now their kids are in her class. It’s not onlya loss here at Dillsboro Elementary, but it is affecting the middle school and high school kids and people who have known her for years,” says principal Sam Melton.

Breaking the news to Jacobs’ class was one of the toughest things he ever had to do as an educator.

Miss Jacobs was a well-liked teacher. Each year, South Dearborn High School seniors give a rose to an educator who meant the most to them. Jacobs would always get at least one, Melton shares.

“She was what made Dillsboro a great school,” Melton says.

Melton said Jacobs’ memory will be honored during a bubble release outside the school on Friday.

Counselors have been made available for students at Dillsboro. A substitute teacher is helping Jacobs’ class get through the final few weeks of the school year.

Visitation for Jacobs will happen Friday, May 18 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Stratton Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles. Final services will follow on Saturday, May 19 starting at 11:00 a.m. at Olean Lutheran Church.