Jean Munson

Jean Munson was a woman rich in the things that count, a strong work ethic, and a sense of fairness. Jean was born almost immediately after World War I ended, on December 4, 1918, in

Champaign County, Ohio

. The only child of Roscoe and Leona (Weaver) Heck, Jean was born in the same house and delivered by the same doctor as her mother was years earlier. Although Jean grew up with extended family in the area, she would have liked to have had a sibling. When she was old enough to attend school, Jean finally got to be around other kids every day and really enjoyed it. Jean was also an exceptional student, so much so that she skipped the 5th grade. Besides her studies, Jean also loved music and played stringed bass in the school orchestra and piano. She was a big fan of ragtime music, especially by Scott Joplin. Her father was the one who inspired her musical passions; he played, made and repaired violins. Jean carried her love for music with her throughout her life, sharing it later with her own family.

Jean, along with her parents, later moved to Dowagiac, Michigan, where she graduated from

Dowagiac

High School

. She went on to attend

Western Michigan

, but then left to work full time. Jean held a variety of jobs, including in a dentist office where she became reacquainted with a former schoolmate, Delmur Munson, who was a patient there. After a brief courtship they were married on July 12, 1940, in Dowagiac. A year later, the couple welcomed the birth of their first child, John. The family later grew to include Jim, Dennis, Charlie and MaryJean. Eventually, Jean and Delmur moved their family to Schoolcraft, where they raised their children on a farm, until they sold the farm and moved into town.

Jean was busy as a mother to her five children and was always involved with their schooling and other activities. She made sure her family was always well cared for and her delicious home cooked meals were sure to bring them to the dinner table. She felt a full belly made for a happy family! Some of her specialties included good gravies, which took lots of patience to make, and picture perfect pies, like chocolate, pecan and banana cream. Jean also made sure to instill good Christian values in her children, regularly taking them to the small country church down the road from their farm and reading to them stories from the Children's Bible Story Book. In later years, when Jean and Delmur moved into town, they began attending the Presbyterian Church, but as of recent she was going to the

Vicksburg

Bible

Church

.

Besides being a devoted wife and mother, Jean also worked outside the home as a secretary to the superintendent of Schoolcraft Schools for many years. She later took a job at

Western

Michigan

University

, from where she eventually retired. One of her responsibilities was to coordinate graduations, which was nothing short of a huge task. With her unwavering determination, Jean could always be counted on to see these projects to their successful end.

For Jean, family was the greatest source of happiness in her life. She loved to have her family around her to play cribbage, pinochle or thirteen. She attended as many of her grandchildren's school activities and sports events as she could. She also enjoyed holding her new great-grandbabies and watching them grow. After retiring, she and Delmur moved to

Florida

in the late 1970's. They returned to

Michigan

to be near their family after Jean was diagnosed and treated for cancer. She continued to bowl, drive and travel even after Delmur passed away in 1992.

Although Jean was a very private person, she was generous and supported many worthy causes through her donations to organizations like the American Legion, VFW and foster children programs, as well as volunteering at the

Portage

Community

Outreach

Center

. A strong women's advocate, Jean was a loyal member of DAR (National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution) for almost 50 years and at one time served as treasurer for the local chapter. In her leisure time, Jean enjoyed reading, particularly the Dowagiac and

Kalamazoo

newspapers, doing crossword puzzles and playing cards, or watching some of her favorite television shows, including Perry Mason, Matlock and Columbo. She looked forward to attending the Vicksburg Rotary Showboat each year and catching up with old classmates at reunions. Jean also kept in touch with former co-workers and liked getting together with them on occasion.

Jean Munson, age 87 of Portage, MI, died on Saturday, December 31, 2005, at

Bronson

Methodist

Hospital

in

Kalamazoo

. Members of Jean's family include her 5 children: John and his wife Lois Munson of Vicksburg, Jim and his wife Barbara Munson of Portage, Dennis and his wife Sandra Munson of Portage, Charlie Munson of Schoolcraft, and MaryJean and her husband Fred Fisher of Tennessee and 12 grandchildren and 15 great- grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 4th, at the

Vicksburg

Bible

Church

,

11988 Sprinkle Road

. Her family will receive friends one hour prior to the service and a lunch will be held immediately following. Jean will be buried in the

South

Portage

Cemetery

. Please visit Jean's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may archive a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to either the American Red Cross or Hospice Care of SW Michigan. Arrangements by RDMG Life Story Funeral Home in

Portage

.