Jeanne Foote Gillenwater

Jeanne Foote Gillenwater, 74, Warsaw, passed away while surrounded by family at 3:40 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021.

She was born Aug. 31, 1946, in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Marjorie Tam (Lunsford) Foote and Richard Holt Foote. She was married Dec. 21, 1968, to Randy Kay Gillenwater. Though they divorced, they still shared the love of their daughter, Janine and all of their grandchildren.

She was a 1964 graduate of Central High School in Fort Wayne and received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Grace College. She worked as a kindergarten teacher at Milford Elementary School in Milford and later in life she worked for Kosciusko Family Medical Group from 2000 – 2011 in records and insurance. She moved to the area in 2000 where she attended Calvary Baptist Church in Oswego where she very much enjoyed worshiping, and organizing the grandparent mentoring program at the church. She was a great neighbor and made a point to know her neighbors, which she loved.

There were so many wonderful qualities Jeanne possessed. She was humble lady who always chose others first and was a great advocate for others. She loved to give gifts, was very artistic and crafty and she was the “Chocolate Chip Cookie Queen!” She had a great smile to match her loving heart. She genuinely loved people and was a quiet reassuring presence. Most of all she loved her family and her grandchildren.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter: Janine (Matthew) Seese, Winona Lake; three grandchildren: Abigail, Nathaniel and Noelle Seese; honorary grandson, Zach; sister: Julie (Phil) Steele, Warsaw; brother: Robert (Peggy) Foote, Dayton, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her special daughter, Darla (Todd) Eigenschink, Fort Wayne; and her cat, Sophie, whom she loved. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. Jeanne Gillenwater’s life will be celebrated with a service at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake and officiated by Roger Grossman. A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.

Memorial donations may be directed to Compassion International, 12290 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80921; or to Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, P.O. Box 7895, Madison, WI 53707-7895 and would be appreciated by the family.