Jean Marilyn Stewart, 88, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 4:50 a.m. Sunday, June 16, 2024, at her home in Battle Creek, Michigan.
She was born Feb. 29, 1936, at Gary, Indiana, the daughter of James and Ethel (Gee) Harkrider, the second of three children. She graduated from Alamo High School in 1954. On May 21, 1954, she married Robert Elliott Stewart. Together they spent the majority of their 57 years of marriage raising their four children on a farm outside of Waynetown. Jean was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
She spent several years working as a waitress at the Redwood Inn in Crawfordsville. While residing in Indiana, she was a faithful member at Fremont Street Baptist Church where she enjoyed playing the organ and serving in various capacities. Jean was an exceptional hostess. She enjoyed using her talent and passion of cooking and baking for others. She invited countless people over to her home serving up a scrumptious meal that she had prepared, all from scratch.
In August of 2017, Jean uprooted and moved to Battle Creek, Michigan to be closer to her son. She spent the next seven years serving the Bethel Baptist Church as church organist and continued to open up her home to countless people serving up a fine meal. Most importantly, above all else, Jean loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. At an early age, she accepted Christ in to her life. She devoted her life to serving Him and prayerfully raising her children to know the Savior and have a relationship with Him.
She is survived by son Robert Randal (Cheryl) Stewart of Battle Creek; daughters, Diana Lynn Stewart of Lebanon, Lori Jean Cochran of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and Patti Lee (Richie) Umphress of Jacksonville, North Carolina; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother Jon Keith (Carolyn) Harkrider of Moore, Oklahoma; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son-in-law Eric Cochran; and brother James “Jim” Harkrider.
Visitation will be held 9-10 a.m. Friday, June 21 at Burkhart Funeral Home in Crawfordsville, with the funeral service to immediately follow at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery North in Crawfordsville. Arrangements by Bachman Hebble Funeral Service, www.bachmanhebble.com. Funeral services by Burkhart Funeral Home, www.burkhartfh.com.
