Jeri Elliott

Geraldine “Jeri” Elliott, 87, died in her home in Bremen at 12:20 am March 21, 2023  following a lengthy illness. She was born in Bladenboro, NC on March 29, 1935, coming to Bremen in 1947. Except for brief residences in Muncie and Wabash, Bremen was her beloved hometown. On December 10, 1955 she married Duwaine Junior Elliott in Seattle, WA during his service in the United States Navy. They were married 63 years until his death in December 2019. She is survived by their three children, Teri (Howard) Jordan of Riverside, IL; Tracy Elliott (Sam Perez) of Chicago; and Lee Ann Elliott (Jeff Quillin) of Keller, TX.; two grandchildren, Brett Jarvie (Jennifer Waite) of Fredericksburg, TX.; and Tara Jarvie (Nate Delisle) of American Canyon, CA. She cherished her son-in-law Howard Jordan and his children. Many of her children’s friends and their children considered her a beloved mother and grandmother figure. Cousins Deb and Jeff Rimel were caring and attentive friends and loving caregivers. Preceding her in death were her husband, Duwaine, her father Bruce Spencer, mother Willie Mae Ehlers, in-laws LaVerne and Dorothy Elliott, and her stepparents Erwin Ehlers and Yvonne Spencer, sister Daniece Rowe, and brother Thomas Spencer. Though a person of great personal faith and proud of her heritage, she challenged many of the beliefs and social practices of her Southern upbringing, remaining friends as a child with an African American girl in Bladenboro despite being punished by her grandmother for doing so and taking Catholic catechism classes because she refused to accept the hateful teaching of her childhood church about Catholics and Jews. She was often bold in expressing her disapproval of hateful racial language. She was an active member of the Bremen Church of the Brethren. She regularly visited with sick and shut-in family, church members, and friends. She was often a caregiver to family members and friends at the end of their lives. Twice named “Volunteer of the Year” by the Bremen Chamber of Commerce, she was passionate about Bremen Community Hospital and led the Ladies Auxiliary for many years, managing the gift shop with old and new friends. She was a member of the Bremen Mother’s Club. She was a dedicated reader, antique collector, and cheerleader for her children. She was a long-term employee of both Pletcher Furniture Village in Nappanee and Tot ‘N Teen Togs in Bremen. She enjoyed working with people and had a sense of style in both clothing and interior design. She was the interior designer working for Pletcher’s for some significant homes in Bremen, Elkhart, and South Bend. Experiencing a difficult and often unstable childhood, her life was about finding and making a home. She and Duwaine built a loving, stable, and supportive home for their children and others who needed love and care. Everyone who came into their home was welcomed with love and warmth. Her children’s fierce independence and adventurous, unconventional lives confounded and sometimes frustrated her, but she grew in acceptance and grace throughout her life. The family are grateful for her wonderful caregivers Amy Yoder and Jean Chupp who allowed her to remain in her home throughout her illness and her loving friends. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Mishler Funeral Home, 2030 St Rd 331, Bremen, with one hour of visitation prior to the service.  Burial will follow in Bremen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to Community Hospital of Bremen, 1020 High Rd., Bremen, IN 46506 will honor her.