Laura Jean Lewis, 80, of Rochester, was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away at 7:05 a.m. Friday, July 14, 2017, at her home. On Nov. 9, 1936, Laura Jean Sayger was born just south of Athens. She was the precious daughter of Herschel “Pete” Leroy and Mary Feece Sayger. As one of the twelve Sayger children, she was the eleventh. Growing up she shared her childhood with three sisters and seven brothers including Jack, who survives.
On Dec. 22, 1975, Laura married Jack Franklin Lewis. They were the Justice of the Peace Thelma Carr’s final wedding ceremony of her career. Together they shared more than 41 years of life’s adventures.
A faithful member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, Laura was a member of the ladies Bible study. She also studied the Word with the church’s co-ed study group and Jack. In earlier years, she enjoyed bowling as a member of the Hook’s ladies team at Country Lanes. Laura was devoted as a seamstress at Hart-Schaffner-Marx for more than 25 years, retiring when the Rochester office closed.
Left to cherish Laura’s memory are her husband Jack; a daughter, Peggy Stover and husband Kerry, of Pierceton; two sons, Larry Joe Adams and wife Shirley, of Coleman, Texas, Ken Adams and wife Robin, of Warsaw; stepchildren, Ted Allen Lewis, of South Dakota, Christina Marie Miller, of Rochester, Kelly Rene, of South Bend, Jodi Lee Lines; a brother, John “Jack” Sayger and wife Elnora; nine grandchildren, Brian Adams and wife Miranda, Jennifer Adams, David Adams and wife Jessica, Patricia Adams, Amelia Adams, Lauren “Pete” Adams and wife Kylie, Angela Carr, Kimberly Dunnuck and husband Steve, Felicia Daeger and husband Scott; numerous stepgrandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.
Preceding Laura in death are her parents; an infant daughter, Diana Sue Adams; three sisters, Maudie Mae, Nancy Ellen, Eliza Willodean; six brothers, Leroy, Maurice “Abe,” Omer, Otis, Harry and Walter Allen; and an infant brother at birth.
A celebration of the life of Laura Jean Lewis will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2017, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester, with Rev. Gail Law officiating.
Friends may visit with the family from 4-7 p.m. Monday and one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. Interment will be in the Athens-Hoover Cemetery.