Nancy Joy Hartwell, 77, living at 805 Baker St., Lot 51, for the past three years, died, following a short illness of three weeks, in Indiana University Hospital, Indianapolis, at 11:59 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 5, 2007.
Nancy will be remembered as a joyful Christian woman who loved the Lord, her family – especially her three grandchildren and many friends. Next April would have marked 19 successful years as a kidney transplant recipient. She never knew the donor but always gave praise for this life saving gift.
Nancy was the daughter of Guy Joseph and Lena Mae (Howard) Edington. She
was born at home in Ionia, Mich., on Mar. 31, 1930. She graduated from Ionia High School with the class of 1948, and from an Elkhart Trade School as a Dental Hygienist. In spite of loosing her wedding dress and the start of their new home to the great Plymouth flood, Nancy and Henry F. Hartwell were married on October 15, 1954, in South Bend.
Over a period of 15 years, Nancy worked as the dental hygienist for Dr. Arnold Dunfee, Sr., and later Dr. Wm.Conger.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker, she enjoyed hosting big family dinners.
Talented in crafts of all kinds, she was the former owner of the Goshen Gift House. She enjoyed having been a 4H mother, tending her garden and was a newly found Chicago Cub Fan. Her favorite show was “The Sound of Music,” and her favorite song, “Little Things Mean a Lot.” Nancy’s pet dog was and Australian shepherd-mix named Mayi.
She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church for over fifty years and for many years she volunteered for “Meals on Wheels”, a program she helped to start with friend Sue Read. She and her husband have enjoyed wintering in Frost Proof, Fla. since 1999.
Nancy is survived by Henry, her husband of 53 years and by their two children: their son, Joe A. (Diane) Hartwell, Nappanee, Ind., and grandson, Tyler and their daughter Jane L. (Jim) Williams, Plymouth, and granddaughters, Amanda and Abby.
A sister-in-law, Mary Jane Manual, Plymouth, and several nieces and nephews survive as well.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents.
Friends are invited by her family to share memories and celebrate the life of Nancy Hartwell from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007, in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. Calling will continue after 7 a.m. Friday until time of services.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 9, 2007, in the funeral home. The Rev. Charles Krieg will officiate.
Interment will be in the New Oakhill Memorial Gardens, Plymouth.
Preferred gifts in Nancy’s memory may be made to the Indiana Kidney Foundation or to the Trinity United Methodist Church.