COLUMBUS
W. Jean Otte Thompson, passed away Thursday, October 24, 2024. Jean was born October 25, 1931, to Orville and Verba Carmichael Otte of Waymansville, IN, where her parents operated a General Store till 1967.
Jean graduated from Columbus High School in 1948, and Indiana University with a degree in Education in 1952. She initially started her teaching career in Indianapolis the fall of 1952 at Ernie Pyle Elementary School #90 near Speedway, teaching 2nd grade.
Jean and Joseph S. Thompson, a Bloomington native, whom she met while he was a student on G I Bill, in the School of Law, at Indiana University, were married on August 15, 1954, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, here in Columbus, IN. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, December 8, 2015.
After there marriage in 1954, she took a position teaching with the Columbus School System, teaching second grade at the then State Street School. After several years of teaching at State Street School, Jean resigned to become active in business interests with her husband.
She served in the past, being appointed to the Bartholomew County Welfare Board, Girls Club Board, a past member of the Columbus Antique Club, and local Delta Theta Tau Philanthropic Sorority. At Indiana University Jean was a member of Phi Mu Sorority. In earlier years she was involved at Grace Lutheran Church, teaching Mid-week religious studies for 4th graders. In recent years she attended St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.
Jean is survived by nieces, Tina (Ricky) Fitch, of Columbus, IN, Jari (Phil) VanderMeer, of New Richmond, IN, Jan (John) McGuirk, of Sidney, OH; a nephew, Bruce (Jeanette) Otte of Columbus, IN.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 719 Fifth Street, Columbus, IN, with Pastor Mark Teike officiating. Calling hours will be one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Trinity Lutheran High School, located in Seymour, IN, or Lakeview Ministries.
Arrangements were entrusted to Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home.
