Jean Louise Coverstone

Jeanne Louise (Coy) Coverstone, North Webster, died Sept. 9, 2022, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Syracuse. She was born June 16, 1926, in her grandparent’s farmhouse north of Tippecanoe Lake in which her mother was born 32 years previously. She was the only child of Carl James Coy and Kathryn Iva (Sutton) Coy.

On April 8, 1945, she was united in marriage to Dean Coverstone in the North Webster Methodist Church. Dean proceeded her in death April 29, 2018. They had been married for 73 years.

She was valedictorian of her North Webster High School class of 1944 and graduated summa cum laude from Goshen College with a degree in art education. She was the first woman to graduate from the University of Notre Dame with a master’s in art history. She received a national education grant to participate in a 12-week seminar at the University of Illinois compiling a treatise on art, literature and religion in colonial America. She earned a certificate in biblical studies from Grace Theological Seminary. She was the author of a book on art appreciation entitled “Landmarks in Art.”

Jean taught art at North Webster Elementary and Junior High School and Wawasee Preparatory School. For 23 years she was the chairman of the art department at Grace College, Winona Lake, retiring in 1993 as Professor Emeritus. She was the first female professor at Grace to receive the Alva J. McClain award for excellence in teaching, also being named an Outstanding Educator in America in 1975.

As a youngster growing up on Tippecanoe Lake, she loved swimming, playing the piano and reading. She was a member of the Webster United Methodist Church for 70 years. While living in Arkansas, she enjoyed playing the piano and organ, singing in the choir and teaching Bible studies at the Cherry Hill United Methodist Church. Moving back to Indiana in 2018, she attended Calvary United Methodist Church and enjoyed Bible study. She also loved spending time with family, playing cards, board games, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzle and attending basketball games.

With her husband, she owned and operated Sock’s Marina on Webster Lake, The Pebble Patch Ceramic Shop and Dean’s Dungeon Ceramics and Collectibles in North Webster.

Jean is survived by three sons, Terry (Pam), Citrus Springs, Fla., “Dino” (Jeannie), North Webster and Randy (Elena), Newark, Calif.; five grandchildren, Thomas (McKenzie), Ryan (Melissa), Dina, Kathryn (Morey II) and Jacob; and five great-grandchildren, Branden, Jackson, Morey III, Wyatt and Michael.

Owen Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. There will be a private family graveside service at the Leesburg Cemetery where Jean will be interred, but her soul has gone to her Heavenly Father.

Those wishing to express their sympathy may leave written condolences at www.TitusFuneralHome.com. Memorial gifts in honor of Jean may be given to the Grace College Art Department, 1 Lancer Way, Winona Lake, IN 46590