Jana Cherie Portales

Our Jana came to be with us on January 3, 1958. A beautiful blue-eyed blonde with so much love to give to her family and friends. She had a happy childhood in Gainesville.

She was the drill team captain of the Blue Blazes drill team in Gainesville Junior High School and then co-captain of the White Wave drill team of Gainesville High School.

After school she worked in retail and moved to Port Aransas to enjoy the ocean and seashore with her dog Jesse. She returned to Gainesville and worked as a travel agent, then went to the metroplex as a travel agent. Travel was a passion and she enjoyed helping people with their travel. When she retired, she continued her love for cooking, gardening and spending time with her dogs.

Fenway was her latest dog companion. They went together for therapy training and went to assisted living facilities. She and Fenway enjoyed the happiness they brought to the residents there.

The people who love her so dearly will miss her until we see her again. As will Fenway, her mother Ginger Herrmann, brother and sister- in- law Marty and Deborah Herrmann, sister Laura Herrmann Salazar, niece Whitney and Khris Helton, and daughter Riley, niece Campbell and Bryce Hy, and daughters London and Presley, nephew Mason and Lyndsay Salazar, and daughter Myla, cousins; Chuck and Wanda Beckner, Bob and Pam Beckner, and Kay and George Culp.

When she left this world, she was met by her father Terry Herrmann, brother Randy Herrmann, husband Larry Portales, grandparents Fred and Lois Greenwood and Ted and Hazelee Herrmann, and uncle and aunt Wayne and Fredda Bunyard.

Honoring her as pallbearers are Charlie Stringer, Roy Brewer, Chuck Beckner and Bob Beckner.

If you wish to honor Jana and her love for animals, memorials can be made to Noah’s Ark at P.O. Box 405 Gainesville, Texas 76240. (940) 665-9800.

A Memorial Service for Jana will be at Whaley United Methodist Church of Gainesville on Saturday, July 11, 2026 beginning at 10: 00 AM. With Pastor Melissa Hatch Officiating. She will be laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery of Gainesville at a later time.

Thank you for your support.