Memorials

Jean M. Black, 83, formerly of Columbia City, died at 1:34 a.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2009, at Wittenberg Lutheran Village, Crown Point, IN, where she had been a resident since July 2007.
She was born February 12, 1926 in Arcola, a daughter of John A. and Amelia (Erdmann) Travelbee. She attended Columbia City Schools graduating as salutatorian of the Class of 1944. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Manchester College in 1961 and her Master’s of Elementary Education degree from St. Francis University, Fort Wayne, in 1971.
On November 23, 1946, she was united in marriage to Nelson C. Black. They made their home on North Chauncey Street, Columbia City for most of their married life. Mr. Black died August 28, 1984.
She taught sixth grade at Columbia City Schools for 23 years, retiring in 1991. A life-long member of Grace Lutheran Church, she was the Fraternal Communicator for Lutheran Brotherhood, member of Deborah Group, taught Sunday School, Confirmation classes and pre-Communion classes and sang in the Choir.

Her many community and fraternal activities included Sorosis Club, secretary of Sigma Eta, treasurer of Mental Health Board, Delta Kappa Gamma, Women’s Teachers’ Organization and Whitley County Retired Teachers.
Surviving relatives include one daughter, Joyce (David) Easterday, Crown Point and a son, Phillip (Laura) Black, Wichita, Kansas; five grandchildren, Rachel Foust, Sarah Ancel and Elizabeth Easterday, Darryl and Adam Black; one sister, Margaret Jacobs, Fort Wayne.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers John E. Travelbee, William Travelbee and Robert Travelbee and a sister Betty Sefcik .
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church,

204 North Main Street, Columbia

City, with Pastor David Easterday officiating. The burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery. The visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City and one hour before the service at the church. A Memorial Service will be held at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, March 29th at Wittenberg Lutheran Village Chapel, Crown Point.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne or Trinity Lutheran Church, Crown Point.