Jean Frances (Loudenback) Long, 94, of Anderson quietly left this life on April 8, 2020, at Bethany Pointe Health Campus to join the Lord and to rejoin her husband Don, who preceded her in death in December 2018. Together, they shared a loving marriage of nearly 68 years. Although family was recently separated from her, Jean knew of the many prayers raised which joined her in community with Christ and a loving family. She looked forward to rejoining that community in God’s presence. Jean will be dearly missed.
Jean Frances Loudenback was born to Earl Roscoe and Mabel Lucille (Starr) Loudenback in Anderson, Indiana on August 17, 1925. An only child for 22 years, she enjoyed many beloved cousins and aunts as though they were sisters. She was happy to be joined by a brother, Max, in 1948.
Jean attended Lindbergh Elementary School. She loved school and had beautiful handwriting. In eighth grade, she met the sunny young man she would marry a few years after he returned from World War II service. Jean and Don graduated from Anderson High School in 1943 where she volunteered in the high school office.
After graduation from AHS, Jean received a secretarial certificate at Indiana Business College. She was hired by Guide Lamp as a Jr. Clerk in Nov. 1943. Over the 31 years she was employed at Guide, Jean rose through roles as Sr. Stenographer, Sr. Clerk, Secretary-Stenographer, Specialized Clerk, and Executive Secretary, retiring in 1985 as Staff Assistant to the Plant Manager of Guide Division of General Motors. She loved her work. She felt blessed to partner with a series of Guide’s top leaders, learning from and supporting each to make Guide a productive GM division. All the while, she was a terrific wife, daughter, mother and friend. She was a wonderful role model to her daughter and granddaughters and to many women with whom she worked.
Jean was a life-long member of Bethany Christian Church. During her working years, she volunteered on Sundays In the church office. She also enjoyed attending Madison Park Church of God for Pastor Lyon’s sermons.
Jean had an eye for fashion and a love for the arts. She liked beautiful clothes, and she loved hosting extended family for Thanksgiving dinners or New Year’s Eve parties. Date pudding and pecan pie were her specialties. She looked forward to weekly appointments at beauty shops The Charm Room, Finn-ish Touch, and Hair Tree over the years. Her lovely stylists at each became dear friends. She and Don were long-time season ticket holders for Anderson High School basketball games, Starlight Musicals, Indianapolis Symphony Pops Concerts, the Broadways Series and the Town Hall Series at Clowes Memorial Hall, and for Big Band or musical performances at the Paramount Theatre. Inviting Anderson friends to join for Indianapolis performances and restaurants made each event even more enjoyable. Jean loved to travel. Trips to San Francisco, Norway, Maine, the Normandy beaches of France and to the Kentucky Derby were especially enjoyable. In retirement, she and Don drove to Indianapolis weekly for sixteen years to help, drive, feed and bring cheer to their daughter, son-in-law and three granddaughters. Their handyman tasks and housekeeping help were cheerfully given and thankfully received. Jean and Don said the laughter and love they received were the best pay. In recent years, Jean was blessed by the loving care and companionship she received from beloved son Steve.
Jean was preceded in death by husband Don, by her parents, and by many beloved aunts and cousins. She is survived by her brother Max Loudenback of New Castle, by her two children Steven Long of Anderson and Sandra (David) Sommers of Indianapolis, by her nephew Michael (Diane) Loudenback of Nashua, New Hampshire, by her beloved granddaughters Betsy, Carly and Kit Sommers of Indianapolis, Charlotte NC, and Bloomington, Indiana, and by grandniece Julia Loudenback of New Hampshire, along with other beloved cousins and in-laws.
A celebration of life service will be held at a later date at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Services in Anderson after pandemic restrictions are lifted. A private burial will take place at East Maplewood Cemetery in Anderson. In lieu of flowers, Jean would encourage you to support the Paramount Theatre at 1124 Meridian St., Anderson, IN 46016 or your favorite arts organization.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.