JEAN EYSTER Clay County

Jean Eyster passed away peacefully on May 13th in the company of her daughter, Judy Wycoff, and her husband Charles; son Brent Eyster and his wife Sue. After a brief illness, she was surrounded in her final days by her grandson Jonathan Wycoff and his wife Donna, her granddaughter Sara Wycoff McCauley and her husband Matt, and four wonderful great grandchildren. She enjoyed 99 active years of health, love, laughter, and family, living at home until the end.

Jean was born in Owen County, Indiana in 1924 to Vernon and Gertrude Biddle. Her siblings Betty, Paul Vernon “Bud”, and Oweetah have preceded her in death. Her family relocated to Terre Haute where she attended Garfield High School, graduating in 1943. The men had gone to war and Jean, like many others, filled their jobs. Jean went to work at her father’s trucking company, assigning routes, and paying drivers. Those who stepped out of line quickly learned the beautiful young lady with the lilting laugh had a sharp mind, a steel spine, and knew her job.

Jean met her husband, Donald Eyster, after he returned from the war, and they married on August 1, 1947. She supported and guided him in his decades-long career in the printing industry through his eventual founding of Data Label in Terre Haute. She continued working as a bookkeeper at Woodburn Graphics until she retired. She was also an excellent seamstress and enjoyed sewing for others- even wedding dresses! She was a docent at the art museum, on the symphony board and an officer of the Women’s Department Club, remaining active in its affairs into her nineties, all in support of the city’s non-profit organizations and its young women.

She had a near-eidetic memory, able to recall any event and everyone she had ever known in great detail. Her stories were vivid and captivating because of that recall. She was a voracious reader, never stopped learning, and enjoyed working crosswords.

She lovingly cared for her parents and other family members and her children and grandchildren cherished the time they spent with her. Her love of people, her kindness, her humor, and her faith guided her throughout her life, brightening everyone’s world around her. She loved her family and friends and was there for anyone in need. Her bright eyes, laughter, and positive disposition infected everyone around her. Her greatest testimony is the pure adoration of her family and the love of her friends. We are all very fortunate to have been touched by her life and she will be missed terribly. The world is a poorer place today for having lost her, but far richer for her having passed through it.

Graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Roselawn Memorial Park at 12:30 p.m. with Reverend Larry Mathias. In lieu of flowers donation in remembrance of Jean may be made to the Owen County Historical Society or the Voice of the Martyrs. Online condolences may be made to www.debaunfuneralhomes.com.