Jeaniece Annette Bumgardner

Jeaniece Annette Bumgardner, 86, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 21, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family at the Center for Hospice, Esther’s House. She was born on May 27, 1938, in Sidney, Ohio. It was during high school that she met the love of her life, Arthur Herbert Bumgardner. The two were married on June 2, 1956, just two weeks after Jeaniece graduated from Sidney High School. Together, they built a beautiful life and shared over 40 years of marriage before Art’s passing in February of 1997.

Jeaniece was the heart of her family and is survived by her children, Jim (Sue) Bumgardner of Elkhart, Kathy Mull of Mishawaka, Jeff (Pat) Bumgardner of Elkhart, and Connie Bumgardner of Elkhart. She was a proud grandmother to five: Beckie (Tim) Lies of Elkhart, Michael (Kari) Bumgardner of Granger, A.J. (Amanda) Bumgardner of Williamsburg, Virginia, Allen (fiancée Sydney Bynum) Bumgardner of Gloucester, Virginia, and Angela (Tony) Banda of Archbold, Ohio. Her love extended even further to her eleven great-grandchildren, each of whom she adored. She was preceded in death by her father, Herman Luther Servis, her mother, Helen Isabel (Schutte) Eshman, and her sister Barbara Jean George.

Jeaniece lived life with passion and purpose. Well into her 70s, she led an aerobics class at her church called "Heart and Soul," and had a love for classic TV and enjoyed watching shows like NCIS, The Golden Girls, and Star Trek. Her collection of DVDs and CDs was as large as her love for music, and even in later years, her fingers danced effortlessly across the keys of the piano.

She was also a woman of great faith. Jeaniece was a longtime member of First Brethren Church in South Bend, where she served as a deaconess, treasurer, and on numerous committees. Her warm smile greeted everyone who walked through the doors each Sunday.

Jeaniece never let a good cup of coffee, or a beautiful day go to waste. She found great joy sitting on her patio with a book in hand, admiring the flowers she planted every spring and summer. She loved to dance, loved to travel, and especially cherished the times she spent flying with her sons, Jim and Jeff, who are both licensed pilots. She was a proud member of the Red Hat Society and an incredible cook—her apple pies and beef and noodles were legendary among family and friends. She was also an avid collector of Star Trek memorabilia, Beanie Babies, and Longaberger baskets.

Above all else, Jeaniece loved her family. She never missed a milestone—birthdays, graduations, weddings—if there was a moment to celebrate, she was there, cheering the loudest for those she loved the most.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 pm Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Wells and Cruz Family Funeral Home in Mishawaka. There will also be one hour of visitation prior to the 11 am funeral service on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at First Brethren Church, 4909 S Ironwood Dr, South Bend with interment to follow in Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend, Indiana. 

In her memory, donations may be made to the Center for Hospice, Esther’s House, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545, or to the First Brethren Church of South Bend. To light a virtual candle, share a story of Jeaniece’s life, or leave a message of comfort for her family, please follow the links provided on the Guestbook tab above.

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