IRMA JEAN LEAVITT

by Rita Cox

Irma Jean (Dee) Leavitt passed peacefully from this life on August 16, 2015 at Greencroft Health Center, in Goshen, Indiana.

Irma Jean was born to Lee and Lilian (Hoffman) Schlager on September 24th, 1927 in Canton, MO. She graduated from Canton High School in 1945 and Culver Stockton College in 1949. On April 28, 1951, she married Ben G. Leavitt. He died in 1984.

For many years, while raising her children, Dee served as a substitute school teacher in the Wa-Nee School Corporation. In 1981, she became the director of the Elder Haus, Nappanee Senior Citizen Center, and served for 20 years in that position. Dee was a member of the Nappanee United Methodist Church, De-Ja-Vu Sunday School Class, Nappanee Current Club, Thursday Club, Chi Omega Sorority, and a variety of bridge clubs. She was an avid reader and loved entertaining family and friends. She was a loyal friend and neighbor, loving and nurturing mother, and "Grandma Dee" was a doting grandmother to her extended family of grandchildren.

She is survived by son John (Jane) Leavitt of Nappanee, daughter Ann (Chris) Gattis of Huntsville, AL, and a sister Shirley Ann (Nathaniel Jun) Wagner of Kansas City, Mo. , grandchildren, Alison (David) Stair of Nappanee, Andrew (Andy Schemm) Myers of Indianapolis, and Ben (Krista) Leavitt of Nappanee. Her first great-grandchild is expected in November.

 

She was also preceded in death by her parents, as well as a brother, Robert L. Schlager, and a sister Dorthea Grace Schlager.

A Memorial Service was held August 19 at the Nappanee United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Nappanee United Methodist Church, the Nappanee Boys and Girls Club, or IU Health Goshen Hospice.

Arrangements are with Thompson-Lengacher and Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee.