MADGE ILENE PENCE

Madge Ilene Pence, age 91, of Columbia City, IN died at 2:25 p.m. Saturday, December 29, 2007 at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City, IN. She was born on August 26, 1916 in Thorncreek Township, Whitley County, IN the daughter of Irven C. and Blanche Ethel (Wilson) Geiger.

She grew up in Whitley County and has spent most of her lifetime here. She graduated from Churubusco High School with the Class of 1934. She then earned a degree in Cosmetology from Fort Wayne Beauty College. She married John Heber Pence on October 20, 1935 in Collins, IN. She lived from 1960-1978 in Antwerp, OH when her husband was transferred with Weatherhead Company. She worked at Blue Bell for a short time in 1941. In 1950, she worked at the cosmetic counter at Wolf Dessauer, Fort Wayne. From 1952 to 1953, she worked for Jean Zumbruns Beauty Salon as a hairdresser. In 1952, she worked at the Magnavox Company, Fort Wayne. She was a member of the Columbia City United Methodist Church and the Esther Circle, Whitley County AARP Association and Rebekah Lodge. She was a former Literacy Tutor and loved to knit and crochet.

She is survived by 1 son, John Richard (Sandra) Pence, Kimmell, IN; 2 granddaughters, Tamara Pence, Cromwell, IN and Wendy (Mark) Musselman, Clarkston, MI and 3 great-grandchildren, Michelle, John and Tom Musselman. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, John Heber Pence, 4 sisters, Lila Schlotterback, Thelma Holycross, Mildred Pence and Blondena Jones and 4 brothers, John, Robert, Wayne and Paul Geiger.

Visitation is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN. A Rebekah Lodge Memorial Twilight Service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Funeral service is 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 3, 2008 at Columbia City United Methodist Church, Forest Parkway, Columbia City, IN with Pastor Paul Arnold, officiating. Burial will follow at the Blue River Cemetery, rural Columbia City, IN. To send condolences or sign the guest register book, please visit www.demoneygrimes.com .