NAOMI JEAN CRAWFORD "Granny" Chesterton, Indiana Naomi Jean "Granny" Crawford died at 75. Jean Crawford, longtime Chesterton resident and grandmother to many, died Sunday surrounded by her family. She was 75.
Jean was born September 9, 1933 to Dilver and Bessie Ford of Switzerland County, Indiana. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Alfreda Ford and Alberta (Jim) Read; and one brother, Harold Ford. She is survived by two sisters, Cleta (Wilbur) Markland and Thelma (Howard) Robinson; and one brother, Paul Eddy (Barbara) Ford. On April 17, 1971 Jean married Alfred Crawford, who preceded her in death. She is survived by three daughters, Vicki (Dennis) Schweller, Angie (Bruce) Macrander/Schaller, and Trena (Neal) Mortensen; and three stepchildren, Roger (Linda) Crawford, Pam Mack, and Tom (Helen) Crawford.
She is survived by 12 grandchildren, Dennis and Scott Schweller, Kevin and Kyle Schaller, Tristan and Tianna Mortensen, Jacob and Jamie Crawford, Candice Jones, Amber Lawson, Tracy Beasley and Holly Crawford. She is also survived by 18 great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Jeannie, as she was often called, grew up on a farm outside of Vevay, Indiana with her six brothers and sisters. She was active in cheerleading while she studied at Patriot High School.
She attended hospitality school in Indianapolis where she learned to wait tables professionally. Jean worked in downtown restaurants there throughout the early 1950s in and around Monument Circle. In 1957 Jean moved to Chesterton. She waited tables for many years, working long hours, at what is now the North Side Diner on North Calumet. She supported her family as a waitress, crediting her success to the business created by the construction of Bethlehem Steel's Burns Harbor Plant.
Throughout the 1970s Jean sold Avon products around the Chesterton area, earning various national sales awards and recognitions. Jeannie was always known for her compassionate nature. She was a favorite mom among local youth while her children attended Chesterton High School. Later in life, she cared for her husband and a number of close friends as they faced terminal illness. Jean loved people unconditionally. So much so that even casual acquaintances were subject to her fervent praise and encouragement. As she grew older, Jean found new joy in her grandchildren.
Being retired, she delighted in the opportunity to raise children without having to devote the bulk of her time to work. It was her role as "Granny" that Jeannie enjoyed above all else. That role extended beyond her own grandchildren as she befriended many local youth. She was Granny to countless children and followed them as they moved from elementary school on to middle school, into high school and even throughout college. A local school teacher once observed Jean as several children ran to her, shouting "Hi, Granny!" at Brummitt Elementary. The teacher joked that they couldn't possibly all be her grandchildren, but Granny said they were all her kids. Jeannie was always an avid card player, whether it was pinochle with her club or rummy with her grandchildren.
She also enjoyed trivia and her favorite television show Jeopardy. Jean loved a good conversation, especially over a cup of coffee. She was genuinely interested in the lives of others and others learned from her experiences. She passed lessons of hard work to younger generations with stories of growing up on the farm and working in hectic restaurants.
Her stories of Chesterton "in the old days" served as living history lessons. A treasured memory of Jean's was her trip to Europe with her beloved husband. Her favorite stop was Austria where she thought everything was beautiful and everyone was friendly. Baseball was also a topic she brought up often. She cherished the Cincinnati Reds and recounted stories of the high-powered teams of the 1970s and her youth. Jean was a member of St. Johns United Church in Chesterton. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, July 16 at Edmonds and Evans Funeral Home 517 Broadway, Chesterton.
A funeral service officiated by Pastor Katie Lindberg will take place Friday, July 17 at 10 a.m. at St. Johns United Church at 225 Lincoln in Chesterton, Indiana. Memorials may be given to the VNA Horton Hospice in Valparaiso, Indiana or St. Johns United Church.
Post-Tribune (IN) - Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Jean was born September 9, 1933 to Dilver and Bessie Ford of Switzerland County, Indiana. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Alfreda Ford and Alberta (Jim) Read; and one brother, Harold Ford. She is survived by two sisters, Cleta (Wilbur) Markland and Thelma (Howard) Robinson; and one brother, Paul Eddy (Barbara) Ford. On April 17, 1971 Jean married Alfred Crawford, who preceded her in death. She is survived by three daughters, Vicki (Dennis) Schweller, Angie (Bruce) Macrander/Schaller, and Trena (Neal) Mortensen; and three stepchildren, Roger (Linda) Crawford, Pam Mack, and Tom (Helen) Crawford.
She is survived by 12 grandchildren, Dennis and Scott Schweller, Kevin and Kyle Schaller, Tristan and Tianna Mortensen, Jacob and Jamie Crawford, Candice Jones, Amber Lawson, Tracy Beasley and Holly Crawford. She is also survived by 18 great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Jeannie, as she was often called, grew up on a farm outside of Vevay, Indiana with her six brothers and sisters. She was active in cheerleading while she studied at Patriot High School.
She attended hospitality school in Indianapolis where she learned to wait tables professionally. Jean worked in downtown restaurants there throughout the early 1950s in and around Monument Circle. In 1957 Jean moved to Chesterton. She waited tables for many years, working long hours, at what is now the North Side Diner on North Calumet. She supported her family as a waitress, crediting her success to the business created by the construction of Bethlehem Steel's Burns Harbor Plant.
Throughout the 1970s Jean sold Avon products around the Chesterton area, earning various national sales awards and recognitions. Jeannie was always known for her compassionate nature. She was a favorite mom among local youth while her children attended Chesterton High School. Later in life, she cared for her husband and a number of close friends as they faced terminal illness. Jean loved people unconditionally. So much so that even casual acquaintances were subject to her fervent praise and encouragement. As she grew older, Jean found new joy in her grandchildren.
Being retired, she delighted in the opportunity to raise children without having to devote the bulk of her time to work. It was her role as "Granny" that Jeannie enjoyed above all else. That role extended beyond her own grandchildren as she befriended many local youth. She was Granny to countless children and followed them as they moved from elementary school on to middle school, into high school and even throughout college. A local school teacher once observed Jean as several children ran to her, shouting "Hi, Granny!" at Brummitt Elementary. The teacher joked that they couldn't possibly all be her grandchildren, but Granny said they were all her kids. Jeannie was always an avid card player, whether it was pinochle with her club or rummy with her grandchildren.
She also enjoyed trivia and her favorite television show Jeopardy. Jean loved a good conversation, especially over a cup of coffee. She was genuinely interested in the lives of others and others learned from her experiences. She passed lessons of hard work to younger generations with stories of growing up on the farm and working in hectic restaurants.
Her stories of Chesterton "in the old days" served as living history lessons. A treasured memory of Jean's was her trip to Europe with her beloved husband. Her favorite stop was Austria where she thought everything was beautiful and everyone was friendly. Baseball was also a topic she brought up often. She cherished the Cincinnati Reds and recounted stories of the high-powered teams of the 1970s and her youth. Jean was a member of St. Johns United Church in Chesterton. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, July 16 at Edmonds and Evans Funeral Home 517 Broadway, Chesterton.
A funeral service officiated by Pastor Katie Lindberg will take place Friday, July 17 at 10 a.m. at St. Johns United Church at 225 Lincoln in Chesterton, Indiana. Memorials may be given to the VNA Horton Hospice in Valparaiso, Indiana or St. Johns United Church.
Post-Tribune (IN) - Wednesday, July 15, 2009
NAOMI JEAN CRAWFORD "Granny" Chesterton, Indiana Naomi Jean "Granny" Crawford died at 75. Jean Crawford, longtime Chesterton resident and grandmother to many, died Sunday surrounded by her family. She was 75.
Jean was born September 9, 1933 to Dilver and Bessie Ford of Switzerland County, Indiana. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Alfreda Ford and Alberta (Jim) Read; and one brother, Harold Ford. She is survived by two sisters, Cleta (Wilbur) Markland and Thelma (Howard) Robinson; and one brother, Paul Eddy (Barbara) Ford. On April 17, 1971 Jean married Alfred Crawford, who preceded her in death. She is survived by three daughters, Vicki (Dennis) Schweller, Angie (Bruce) Macrander/Schaller, and Trena (Neal) Mortensen; and three stepchildren, Roger (Linda) Crawford, Pam Mack, and Tom (Helen) Crawford.
She is survived by 12 grandchildren, Dennis and Scott Schweller, Kevin and Kyle Schaller, Tristan and Tianna Mortensen, Jacob and Jamie Crawford, Candice Jones, Amber Lawson, Tracy Beasley and Holly Crawford. She is also survived by 18 great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Jeannie, as she was often called, grew up on a farm outside of Vevay, Indiana with her six brothers and sisters. She was active in cheerleading while she studied at Patriot High School.
She attended hospitality school in Indianapolis where she learned to wait tables professionally. Jean worked in downtown restaurants there throughout the early 1950s in and around Monument Circle. In 1957 Jean moved to Chesterton. She waited tables for many years, working long hours, at what is now the North Side Diner on North Calumet. She supported her family as a waitress, crediting her success to the business created by the construction of Bethlehem Steel's Burns Harbor Plant.
Throughout the 1970s Jean sold Avon products around the Chesterton area, earning various national sales awards and recognitions. Jeannie was always known for her compassionate nature. She was a favorite mom among local youth while her children attended Chesterton High School. Later in life, she cared for her husband and a number of close friends as they faced terminal illness. Jean loved people unconditionally. So much so that even casual acquaintances were subject to her fervent praise and encouragement. As she grew older, Jean found new joy in her grandchildren.
Being retired, she delighted in the opportunity to raise children without having to devote the bulk of her time to work. It was her role as "Granny" that Jeannie enjoyed above all else. That role extended beyond her own grandchildren as she befriended many local youth. She was Granny to countless children and followed them as they moved from elementary school on to middle school, into high school and even throughout college. A local school teacher once observed Jean as several children ran to her, shouting "Hi, Granny!" at Brummitt Elementary. The teacher joked that they couldn't possibly all be her grandchildren, but Granny said they were all her kids. Jeannie was always an avid card player, whether it was pinochle with her club or rummy with her grandchildren.
She also enjoyed trivia and her favorite television show Jeopardy. Jean loved a good conversation, especially over a cup of coffee. She was genuinely interested in the lives of others and others learned from her experiences. She passed lessons of hard work to younger generations with stories of growing up on the farm and working in hectic restaurants.
Her stories of Chesterton "in the old days" served as living history lessons. A treasured memory of Jean's was her trip to Europe with her beloved husband. Her favorite stop was Austria where she thought everything was beautiful and everyone was friendly. Baseball was also a topic she brought up often. She cherished the Cincinnati Reds and recounted stories of the high-powered teams of the 1970s and her youth. Jean was a member of St. Johns United Church in Chesterton. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, July 16 at Edmonds and Evans Funeral Home 517 Broadway, Chesterton.
A funeral service officiated by Pastor Katie Lindberg will take place Friday, July 17 at 10 a.m. at St. Johns United Church at 225 Lincoln in Chesterton, Indiana. Memorials may be given to the VNA Horton Hospice in Valparaiso, Indiana or St. Johns United Church.
Post-Tribune (IN) - Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Jean was born September 9, 1933 to Dilver and Bessie Ford of Switzerland County, Indiana. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Alfreda Ford and Alberta (Jim) Read; and one brother, Harold Ford. She is survived by two sisters, Cleta (Wilbur) Markland and Thelma (Howard) Robinson; and one brother, Paul Eddy (Barbara) Ford. On April 17, 1971 Jean married Alfred Crawford, who preceded her in death. She is survived by three daughters, Vicki (Dennis) Schweller, Angie (Bruce) Macrander/Schaller, and Trena (Neal) Mortensen; and three stepchildren, Roger (Linda) Crawford, Pam Mack, and Tom (Helen) Crawford.
She is survived by 12 grandchildren, Dennis and Scott Schweller, Kevin and Kyle Schaller, Tristan and Tianna Mortensen, Jacob and Jamie Crawford, Candice Jones, Amber Lawson, Tracy Beasley and Holly Crawford. She is also survived by 18 great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Jeannie, as she was often called, grew up on a farm outside of Vevay, Indiana with her six brothers and sisters. She was active in cheerleading while she studied at Patriot High School.
She attended hospitality school in Indianapolis where she learned to wait tables professionally. Jean worked in downtown restaurants there throughout the early 1950s in and around Monument Circle. In 1957 Jean moved to Chesterton. She waited tables for many years, working long hours, at what is now the North Side Diner on North Calumet. She supported her family as a waitress, crediting her success to the business created by the construction of Bethlehem Steel's Burns Harbor Plant.
Throughout the 1970s Jean sold Avon products around the Chesterton area, earning various national sales awards and recognitions. Jeannie was always known for her compassionate nature. She was a favorite mom among local youth while her children attended Chesterton High School. Later in life, she cared for her husband and a number of close friends as they faced terminal illness. Jean loved people unconditionally. So much so that even casual acquaintances were subject to her fervent praise and encouragement. As she grew older, Jean found new joy in her grandchildren.
Being retired, she delighted in the opportunity to raise children without having to devote the bulk of her time to work. It was her role as "Granny" that Jeannie enjoyed above all else. That role extended beyond her own grandchildren as she befriended many local youth. She was Granny to countless children and followed them as they moved from elementary school on to middle school, into high school and even throughout college. A local school teacher once observed Jean as several children ran to her, shouting "Hi, Granny!" at Brummitt Elementary. The teacher joked that they couldn't possibly all be her grandchildren, but Granny said they were all her kids. Jeannie was always an avid card player, whether it was pinochle with her club or rummy with her grandchildren.
She also enjoyed trivia and her favorite television show Jeopardy. Jean loved a good conversation, especially over a cup of coffee. She was genuinely interested in the lives of others and others learned from her experiences. She passed lessons of hard work to younger generations with stories of growing up on the farm and working in hectic restaurants.
Her stories of Chesterton "in the old days" served as living history lessons. A treasured memory of Jean's was her trip to Europe with her beloved husband. Her favorite stop was Austria where she thought everything was beautiful and everyone was friendly. Baseball was also a topic she brought up often. She cherished the Cincinnati Reds and recounted stories of the high-powered teams of the 1970s and her youth. Jean was a member of St. Johns United Church in Chesterton. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, July 16 at Edmonds and Evans Funeral Home 517 Broadway, Chesterton.
A funeral service officiated by Pastor Katie Lindberg will take place Friday, July 17 at 10 a.m. at St. Johns United Church at 225 Lincoln in Chesterton, Indiana. Memorials may be given to the VNA Horton Hospice in Valparaiso, Indiana or St. Johns United Church.
Post-Tribune (IN) - Wednesday, July 15, 2009
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Obituary provided courtesy of Eva Hopkins.
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