Jane Plunkett Cassell

Jane Plunkett Cassell, 96, North Manchester, IN died at 4:10 a.m. Monday, November 16, 2015 in Timbercrest Healthcare Center, North Manchester, IN. Jane was born July 15, 1919 on a farm near Ludlow Falls, Ohio about 25 miles north of Dayton to parents Joseph and Bessie Plunkett. She was predeceased by brothers, Roy J. Plunkett and Richard Plunkett and sisters, Ruth Bryson and Marie Deeter. Jane had fond memories of the family farm such as climbing inside the top of the barn to pull down sparrow's nests and enjoying many adventures exploring the woods, creek and neighboring acreage. Jane graduated Valedictorian from Pleasant Hill, Ohio High School in 1937. She continued her education at Manchester College for 2 years, earning an elementary teacher's certificate. There she met future husband Merlin E. Cassell, who she married on June 14, 1941, at the Church of the Brethren in Pleasant Hill, Ohio. Merlin and Jane had 3 children: Rebecca Ravine who lives in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Joseph Cassell (Andrea) in Wichita, Kansas, and James Cassell (Marilyn) in North Webster, Indiana. Grandchildren are Kim Berry (Tim), Emily Docking (Brian), and Jennifer Cassell; and great-grandchildren Ian & Colin Berry and Charlotte & Jane Docking. Jane taught school from 1939-1944 in Ohio, was a homemaker in Plymouth, Indiana (Merlin was Pastor at the Plymouth Church of the Brethren) until 1956. She taught in an elementary Catholic school in Ft. Wayne and worked in the Fort Wayne offices of Mutual Security Life Insurance Co. from 1963-68. They were members of Fort Wayne Lincolnshire Church of the Brethren. Jane and Merlin lived on the lakefront at North Webster from 1970-1987 and were members of the North Webster Church of the Brethren. Then they moved to Florida until their retirement and Merlin's death in 1993, where they were members of Sebring Church of the Brethren. Jane came back to Indiana and moved into Timbercrest Senior Living Community in 1999 until transferring from residential to health care in 2008 where she was happy, healthy and active. The Cassell family had always enjoyed playing games together and then many year round activities at their home on Lake Tippecanoe. Jane and Merlin hosted family and friends many times over and were active in the North Webster community. They enjoyed traveling and visited most of the States of the U.S. and in Mexico and Central America. Jane often delivered humorous "readings" and exhibited a gifted creative writing skill. An avid writer, she authored poems and rhymes for programs and events and for her family and friends. She also enjoyed designing puzzles and word games to befuddle everyone. Jane served on the Chapel Committee and Health Care Visitation Team at Timbercrest. For two years she traveled with residents group to Silver Lake Elementary School to assist in a reading program for students. She attended Bible classes, a Covenant Group, line/square dancing classes and participated in the annual Crop Walk. Jane was a member of the Timbercrest Auxiliary and North Manchester Church of the Brethren. Memorial service December 12, 2015 at 1:00 in Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East Street, North Manchester, IN. Memorial service December 13, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. in Salem Church of the Brethren, Englewood, OH. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery, Englewood, OH. In honor of Jane's spirit of giving, the family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorials to Timbercrest Charitable Assistance Fund, 2201 East Street, North Manchester, IN 46962. Arrangements entrusted to McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, IN. To send a private condolence to the Cassell family, use the condolence link on the homepage.