MADONNA ELNORA PERSONS

Madonna Elnora Persons, age 93, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 10:05 p.m. on August 31, 2009 at her home surrounded by family and friends. Born on May 19, 1916 in Dayton, OH, she was the daughter of Orlando and Esther (Drew) Mullenix.In the early 1920's her family moved to New Castle, IN where she graduated from New Castle High School with the Class of 1934 as Salutatorian. As a young woman, she had the privilege of playing the violin at the World's Fair in 1933-1934. She attended Interlochen Music School in Michigan and Jordan Music Conservatory, Indianapolis, before she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Anderson College, Anderson, IN. On November 5, 1939, she married Reverend Milton G. Persons at the United Methodist Church, Losantville, IN where Milton served as minister. An accomplished violinist, she played in various community philharmonics in Muncie, Anderson, Goshen and North Manchester College. Madonna played with the Sounds of Hope on two tours to Europe where Milton went as a baggage carrier. A choir director at several of the churches where Milton served as pastor, she also played her violin at numerous churches and community events. For 45 years, she served along side of Milton in the following churches, Losantville-Blountsville, Shirley-Wilkerson, Saratoga-Deerfield, Anderson, Mentone, Albion, Goshen, Claypool, Remington and Flora-Bringhurst. Her early retirement years were spent caring for her parents in New Castle until their deaths. Madonna and Milton moved to Columbia City in 1991 where she was active in the Columbia City United Methodist Church. Madonna will be missed by her family and friends who enjoyed her talents and gracious personality. She will be lovingly remembered by her family including her son, Charles David (Sharon) Persons of Columbia City; daughter, Gretchen (John R.) Greubel of Fort Wayne; 3 grandchildren, Eric (Bobbi) and Brad (Leslie) Greubel of Fort Wayne and Matthew Persons of Chicago, IL; 3 great-grandchildren, Brayden, Cameron and Caitlin Greubel of Fort Wayne. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Reverend Milton G. Persons and sister, Lois Stephens.Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Thursday, September 3, 2009 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN. Funeral service is 11:30 a.m. Friday, September 4, 2009 at the funeral home with Associate Pastor Jean Ness of Columbia City United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Greenhill Cemetery, Columbia City. Memorials may be given in memory of Madonna to the Columbia City United Methodist Church Building Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.Click here to view video tribute**Video may take up to 2 minutes to load.