Jeanette C. Needham

Jeanette Elizabeth Cushman Needham, age 96, of Aurora, Colorado went home to be with Jesus at the Cherry Creek Nursing Center on Friday, March 1st. She was born in Bloomfield, Indiana on September 18, 1916 and married Frederick Homer Needham on July 30, 1939. They were married almost 60 years before Fred died in 1999. Both Jeanette and Fred lived most of their lives in Indiana, Illinois, Florida and 10 years as missionaries in Utila, Honduras where they founded the Utila Methodist Community College, K-12 school in 1983. Jeanette is survived by sons Fred Needham (Barbara) of Beech Grove, IN and Jim Needham (Linda) of Muncie, IN, son-in law Bob (Linda) Cobstill of Grant Park, IL, and daughter Candy/Mary (John) Kingsbury of Centennial, CO. She was preceded in death by her daughter Nancy Cobstill in 2004 and by her great grandson, Tony Metcalfe, in 2006. Jeanette had 31 grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren. She was a prolific poet and a mighty prayer warrior. Her high soprano voice was a gift from God and she often told others "I live to sing!" Jeanette was proud to be a lifelong member of the Methodist Church, various church choirs and taught Sunday School and Elementary school. She was a Research Home Economist at AMAIZO, American Maize Products Co., for 13 years. She worked in a test kitchen where she played a part in the development of "Fruit Striped Gum", "Thank You" Instant Puddings and many other products still found on grocery shelves today. She was a graduate of Indiana State Teachers College and a member of various professional organizations. Late in their marriage, Jeanette and Fred lived the south suburbs of Chicago where they became actively involved at Grace Community United Methodist Church for about 10 years. Following Fred's death, she moved to Westminster Village near her younger son in Muncie IN (and closer to her older son in Indianapolis) for 2 years before moving to Colorado to live with her daughter for 4 years. As her health declined, she spent last three years of her life in senior care facilities near her daughter where she made many close friends and was very active in the choir of Cherry Creek Nursing Center up until her death. Calling will be at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais, IL, Saturday morning, March 9th from 10-12 with a funeral service at Grace Community United Methodist Church, Bourbonnais, IL on the same day at 3 p.m. On Sunday, March 17th, a memorial service will be held at Smoky Hill United Methodist Church in Centennial CO. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Grace Community United Methodist Church, 735 Main Street N.W. Bourbonnais, IL 60914 or Smoky Hill United Methodist Church, 19491 E Smoky Hill Road, Centennial CO, 80015 or to High Street United Methodist Church, 219 High Street, Muncie, IN 47305 with Memo Line indicating Utila Methodist Community College Fund.

As Jeanette often said, "If the song is to continue, we must do the singing", and always ended her conversations with "Love you, Bye" and also "Drive Carefully!"

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