Jeanne Gerlach Lewis

Fort Wayne, IN

Jeanne passed away peacefully on February 19, 2023, at the age of 78 with her daughter by her side. She was born April 30, 1944, in Springfield, IL, the second daughter of Charles F. Gerlach and Rose (Fleming) Gerlach. Jeanne grew up in Wyandotte, MI where she graduated from Wyandotte Roosevelt High School in 1962. She attended the University of Michigan where she earned a BA, MA and eventually a PhD in Cultural Anthropologie with a special emphasis on the Anthropology of Religion.

She was a professor of Anthropology and taught in the Chicago area for 30 years, first at Chicago State University and then at Illinois Benedictine College. She was a fellow of the National Institutes of Health and a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi and the International Business Association.

In 1971 she married the love of her life, Stephen H. Lewis. The couple lived in the Chicagoland area until 1996, when Stephen’s career precipitated a move to Fort Wayne, IN, where she became involved in the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and the Boys and Girls Club. She was a member of Quest and numerous book clubs.

She was preceded in death by Stephen on July 26, 2017, as well as her parents and sister Karen Malinowski.

She is survived by her daughter Karen Lewis, sisters Susan Vogel-Anderson (Mark), Patricia Gerlach (Michael DeProto), Deborah Gerlach (John Forman), brothers Charles Gerlach (Nancy), John Gerlach (Kris Bennett), and brothers-in-law Mike Lewis (Marilyn), Bret Lewis (Joan), and Michael Malinowski and sister-in-law Anne (Forsyth) Lewis.

She touched many hearts and lives, and her absence will be felt by many. A private memorial service will be held.