Ross Edward Jett

Wawaka- Ross Edward Jett, 77, died peacefully in his sleep the morning of Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at his Wawaka, Indiana home. He was a lifelong resident of Noble County. Mr. Jett was a longtime member and was very active in the Wawaka Church of the Brethren. He had been engaged in farming until 1988, and was currently the owner of Jett Realty. He was also the current Elkhart Township Trustee, a position he had held since 1993. He served on the Noble County Council from 1978 to 1987 and was president of the County Council for several years.


Mr. Jett was also very involved in numerous community organizations. He was instrumental in the organization of the Noble County Community Fair Corporation and served as its first president in 1982-83. He was a board member for 20 years, and chaired the Long Range Committee. He also chaired the Grand Slam Rebuilding Fund Committee to replace the fairground’s grandstand that was destroyed by fire in 1995. This effort resulted in raising $215, 000 and a new 2,000 seat grandstand was in place in time for the 1996 fair. Mr. Jett was a former board member and past president of the Indiana State County Fair Association. A graduate of Wawaka High School in 1950, Mr. Jett also served with the 701st U.S. Army Military Police at Fort Knox, KY.


Mr. Jett was born April 20, 1932 to Floyd and Ruth (Frick) Jett. On June 29, 1952 he married Sheila Chapman. She survives in Wawaka. Also surviving are three children- Roger Jett and his wife Cheryl of Ligonier, Kathy Jett of Ithaca, New York, and Linda Dirig and her husband David of Albion, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents & 1 sister.


Viewing will be from 1 to 8 PM on Thursday, October 1, 2009 at Wawaka Church of the Brethren. The Rev. Verne Leininger will officiate at the funeral service to be held at 10:30 AM Friday at the Wawaka Church of the Brethren located at 2726 W. 700 N., Wawaka, IN. Burial will be in Cosperville Cemetery- Wawaka.


Paul Bearers will be Fred Roy, Nelson LeCount, Kenny Stringfellow, Max Weber, Tom Clouse, and John Cochard. Honorary Paul Bearers will be: Tom Malle, Jason Cripe, Ray Cripe, Tim Clouse, Glen Slabach, Don Bish, Bob Bollinger, Tom Savage and Roger Diehm.

Preferred memorials are to the Wawaka Church of the Brethren or Gideons International- P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214.