Margaret Holwager

February 25, 1925 - February 14, 2017

This lovely, white haired charmer was born February 25, 1925 to Ethel (Metzger) and R. W. Jontz, at home in Silver Lake, Indiana. Jean was christened Margaret Jean Jontz. Her mother was partial to Margaret, while her father liked Jean. For about two weeks she was called Margaret but then her mother relented and she has been known as Jean ever since. Whether Jean or Margaret, to know this Matriarch of the Holwager Family is to love and admire her, a beautiful person, both inside and out whose legacy lives on through cherished family and dear friends.

Jean went to grades 1 through 12 in the same school, right across the street from where she was born. She studied piano for 12 years and played piano for all the school activities. An accomplished saxophoneist, she marched in the school band. After high school, Jean went on to Indiana University. Initially, during summer break she would work on the inspection line later admitting that she didn’t have a clue what she was “inspecting”, only knowing that it was top secret and part of the World War II effort.

While at IU Jean would accomplish two major goals, earning a degree in Business Education and meeting her future husband, Joseph E. Holwager, at a Sorority (Alpha Omicron Pi) social. Joe had just returned from a hitch in the Navy and was two years behind Jean who graduated in 1947. Jean and Joe were married in 1949 as soon as he graduated and she found her first teaching job in a town near South Bend, Indiana.

A few years later, the couple relocated to Beech Grove due to Joe’s work with the State Department of Health in Indianapolis and an open business education teaching position filled by Jean at Beech Grove High School. The two grew deep roots just south of Indianapolis bringing up three children, fostering countless friendships, and actively supporting the Beech Grove United Methodist Church.

The Holwager family was never without a dog. From a boxer, to a bichon, furry friends were a constant source of companionship and certainly did not want for love or attention. Jean was a voracious reader and an accomplished needle worker including cross stitch, needle point and crochet. She baked a mean pie and even after empty nesting and Joe’s passing in 1987, twice weekly pie baking sessions and sour dough bread were common in her kitchen, especially for family dinners, church bazaars and bake sales. If a Jean Holwager pie was in the sale, it was one that usually went first.

Jean passed peacefully on February 14, 2017 and is survived by her three children, David, Bill, and Linda, seven grandchildren, Mark, Andrew, Mary Jean, Andrea, Jon, Michael and Ellie, one great grand-child, Shannon, and a brother, Jon. She is pre-deceased by her parents, her husband, and two brothers, Joe & Richard.

Family and Friends are encouraged to gather for visitation from 4pm-8pm at the Beech Grove Little & Sons funeral home on Friday February 24, 2017. A Funeral Service will be held at University Heights United Methodist Church on Saturday February 25, 2017 at 10am with burial to occur at Lakeview Cemetery in Silver Lake, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers the family requests charitable contributions be made in Jean’s memory to either the United Methodist Women or the Better Indy Babies (BIBs) pantry, a ministry of the University Heights United Methodist Church.

www.littleandsonsbeechgrove.com

Arrangements under the direction of Little & Sons Funeral Home, Beech Grove, IN.