Mary Jean Ottinger

Mary Jean (Swope) Ottinger passed peacefully on February 5, 2018. Born October 6, 1925 in Lebanon, she was the daughter of Raymond “Jack” and Naomi (Smith) Swope. She is a lifelong resident of Boone County, IN. She married Burl Ottinger in 1946 and lived on their farm which is now Royal Run, west of Zionsville. Burl preceded her in death in June 1996. “Mary Jean” as she was called, was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and homemaker. Her favorite pastime was family and friends, especially watching her children and grandchildren’s activities and achievements over the years. She worked in Hicks Body Co. in Lebanon from 1943 until 1951. Later, she fully enjoyed working as baker, cook and cafeteria manager at Westlane Middle School in Indianapolis. She retired from there in December 1989 after 22 years. After retirement, she and her husband enjoyed life on the farm and travel to California, Tennessee and Florida. For 15 years Mary Jean was a Volunteer Aide in her daughter’s (Tina Hand) first grade class at Zionsville’s Eagle Elementary. She had been a member of the infamous N.N. Club, a social neighborhood organization founded in 1915 until its disbanding in 2005. She volunteered for several years with the “Hug-a-Pillow” group making pillows for children who were patients of St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis or Witham Hospital in Lebanon. Always involved in church, she grew up in the former United Brethren Church or what is now Otterbein UMC (United Methodist Church) in Lebanon. After her marriage in 1946, she transferred her membership to Salem UMC in Zionsville. She has always been active in so many Salem church functions- Sunday and Bible School teacher, Board Chair, choir and several other committees for over 60 years. Mary Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Burl in June 1996, and brothers Moncil Swope of Bradenton, FL and Raymond Swope Jr. of Scottsburg, IN. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law- Tina and Eric Hand; son and daughter-in-law- Tim and Susan Ottinger; grandchildren- Sarah (Hand) Alexander, Nathan Hand and Autumn (Hansen) Hand, Brian Hand, Justin Ottinger and Rebecca Ottinger; great grandchildren- William Alexander, Hazel Lynn Hand and Mary Josephine Hand; sister-in-law, Annie Ottinger; nephews Jeff Ottinger, Gary Swope, Brent Swope and nieces Candace (Ottinger) Buckmaster and Kathi (Swope) Hackney. Visitation will be held Thursday, February 8, from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at Myers Mortuary in Lebanon. The funeral will be Friday, February 9th at 11:00 AM at Salem United Methodist Church, 6701 S 775 E (Kissel Rd) in Zionsville with interment at Salem Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Salem United Methodist Church.

Mary Jean Ottinger

October 6, 1925 - February 5, 2018