Jean E. Simon, 78, Columbia City, died at 8:11 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at her home following a battle with cancer since April.

She was born Sept. 15, 1938 in Columbia City, a daughter of Henry and Helen (Salesman) Sievers. She was raised on the Sievers farm in Columbia Township and attended Columbia Township School. After graduating from Columbia City Joint High School, she lived in Columbia City and Kentucky before returning to Columbia City.

Jean worked at United Telephone a short time and in 1969 began working at S & L Truck Stop later becoming Top Shelf Truck Stop, which closed in 1988. Recently she worked for Richards Restaurant.

She had attended Grace Lutheran Church. She visited Elvis Presley’s Graceland in June with her family, her dream come true.

Surviving relatives include five children, Sheri (Duane) Lambert, Nancy (Jeff) Davis, Brian (Tonia England) Pelfrey, Mary (Paul Shepherd) Nordman and Lori (Lupe) Morua, all of Columbia City; 13 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; a sister, Jane Ulrich of Columbia City; a niece and two nephews; and her beloved dog, Babe.

She was preceded in death by a son, Brad Lee Pelfrey; a great grandson; and her husbands, Richard Pelfrey and Jene E. Simon.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The burial will be in South Park Cemetery. The visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to Parkview Home Health & Hospice.