Jean Downey Lemen
June 22, 1920 — May 9, 2013
Neal's Funeral Home
306 S Walnut St.
Osgood, IN 47037
812-689-4262
Margaret Jean (Downey) Lemen, 92 years old of Osgood, passed on May 9, 2013 at Manderley Health Care Center. She was born June 22, 1920 in Dabney, Indiana. The daughter of Harry Thomas and Agnes Belle (Halberstadt) Downey, she is survived by husband, Sherman William Lemen and four children: David William (Jackie) of Indianapolis, Steve (Cindi) of Santa Claus, Martha Lee (Les) Kessens of Osgood and Larry Dean (Miriam) Lemen of Shelbyville. She is also survived by one sister, Helen (Butch) Jahnigen, Osgood; brothers Paul (Alma) Downey, Anderson; Bill (Elizabeth) Downey, Delaware ; George (Lil) Kenansville, Florida; 9 grandchildren, 7 great -grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and by brothers Charles, Gayle, Roy and Hubert Downey.
She attended elementary school in a two-room school in Dabney and graduated in 1938 from Holton High School. Her first full time job after graduation was as a housekeeper for Dr. Debanaur in Holton. She then worked for a short time at Seagram's in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Her last employment outside the home was during WW II working at the former Delco-Remy plant in Anderson, Indiana.
She married Sherman Lemen on July 27, 1941 in Milan. Jean was a 50 + year member of the Osgood First Baptist Church, serving for many years as Sunday School secretary. From 1960 to 1980 she organized meals following the funeral of church members. If a turkey or ham was baking and it wasn't a holiday, her children were likely to ask, "Who died ?"
A devoted wife and mother, Jean raised her family in Osgood and was always busy cooking, canning, freezing or working in the garden.
Jean volunteered for many years on the election board and was a familiar face to many voters in Center Township. She was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star, Versailles Chapter No. 333.
After Sherman's retirement, the couple spent many years enjoying the winter months in Florida. Jean enjoyed the warm weather, new friends, flea markets and family visits while there.
Visitation will be from 4-8 on Monday, May 13 at
Neal's Funeral Home in Osgood. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 14 at 10 am (will lie in state from 9-10 am) at the Osgood First Baptist Church with Rev. Donald Buck officiating. Donations may be made to the Sherman and Jean Lemen Scholarship Fund, the Osgood First Baptist or donor's choice.
Arrangements by: Neal's Funeral Home
www.nealsfuneralhome.net
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