Doris Jean Northenor

Doris Jean Northenor, of Warsaw, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, at the age of 92. Jean was a beloved active member of the community and political activist, she was heard to quote Ralph Waldo Emerson many times, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
She was born on Dec. 21, 1932, in Kosciusko County, to Ruth B. Decker and Merl Nelson. Jean graduated from Mentone High School. Jean married Clifford Reed in 1949, and later she was married in 1961 to James “Jim” Northenor. They were blessed with 60 years of marriage; he passed away on April 15, 2021.
Jean was elected to two terms as Kosciusko County auditor and retired from Lake City Bank after 20 years as executive vice president and director. She served her community in many ways, as a founding board member of the Kosciusko Leadership Academy, Warsaw Community Development Corporation, Grace College Westminster Steering Committee and the Kosciusko County Community Foundation. Her leadership in government and political circles included chairman of the Hoosier Lottery Commission, chairman of the Kosciusko County Republican Central Committee, Rules Committee for the National Republican Convention, member of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles Commission, Federal Merit Selection Advisory Commission for Senator Richard Lugar, Public Service Nomination Committee, Indiana State Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Business for Responsible Government, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Merit Board and chairman of the Criteria and Endorsement Committee. As well as a three-year member of the Indiana Judicial Nominating Committee, Indiana Commission on Judicial Justifications for the Indiana Supreme Court.
Her honors include four Sagamore of the Wabash from three different governors, named as one of the 100 Most Influential Business Leaders and Volunteer of the Year from the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Trailblazing Women, the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year in 1983 and the prestigious Athena Award. Jean was also a longtime member of the Eastern Star and the Atwood Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Atwood.
She will be lovingly remembered by her son, Steve (Barb) Reed, Warsaw; grandchildren, Leah (Matt) Hoskins, Warsaw; and Lucas (Carrissa) Reed, Winona Lake. Also surviving are 10 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and her dog Boone. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Clifford and James “Jim;” and son, Rick Reed.
Friends and family may visit from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. A private family funeral service will take place with burial at Harrison Center Cemetery in Atwood.
Memorial donations in Jean’s memory may be directed to Stillwater Hospice, 5910 Homestead Road, Ft. Wayne, IN 46814. Please make checks payable to Stillwater Foundation.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com