Jesse Eugene Spurgeon Jr.

April 17, 1927 — Dec. 17, 2015

Jesse Eugene Spurgeon Jr., 88, a lifelong resident of Winamac, passed away Dec. 17, at home after a year-long battle with various maladies of old age. 

He was born April 17, 1927, on the family farm in Jefferson Township, Pulaski County, to the late Jesse Alvin and Maude Grace (Rees) Spurgeon. His only sibling, Mary Irene Irven, preceded him in death. 

He was a longtime dairy and grain farmer, retiring in 1994. For many years, Jesse was recognized as one of the top small dairy farmers/breeders in Indiana in terms of overall milk production. On the rare occasions that he could escape milking duties and field work, he sincerely enjoyed flying and fishing; the latter activity regularly took him to Canada with family and friends. 

Jesse was married to Thelma Marlene Shank, of Dayton, Ohio, on June 2, 1951. She preceded him in death on Oct. 2, 1992. 

Jesse served in the U.S. Army from 1946-47 in the 185th Engineer Combat Battalion as a demolition expert. While serving at Camp Campbell, Kentucky (now Fort Campbell), he was involved in an accidental mine detonation that caused permanent, partial hearing loss. He was a member of the VFW Post #1728 and American Legion Post #71 in Winamac.

Jesse and Thelma raised five children to adulthood, including Katherine S. (1955-1982), Sally S. [Harmon “Mickey”] Weeks of Attica, Charles W. “Charlie” of Winamac, Jesse Andrew “Andy” [Laurie] of Winamac, and Matthew of Chesterton. Jesse had five grandchildren: Krista [Nathan] Hardebeck, Jennifer “Biffer” Spurgeon (deceased), Kelly Spurgeon, Mason Spurgeon and Audrey Spurgeon.

Jesse will be remembered for his quick “Spurgeon humor” and generosity to many.

Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. Services will follow at 2 p.m. at Frain Mortuary. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military honors at the funeral home.  

Memorial contributions may be given to Wounded Warrior Project.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.

(Pulaski County Journal — Dec. 23, 2015)

Pulaski County Journal

114 W. Main Street
Winamac, IN 46996

(574) 946-6628
 

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