COLUMBIA CITY - Madonna Elnora Persons, 93, of Columbia City, died at 10:05 p.m. Aug. 31, 2009, at her residence surrounded by family and friends.
She was born May 19, 1916, in Dayton, Ohio, to Orlando and Esther Drew Mullenix. On Nov. 5, 1939, at United Methodist Church, Losantville, she married the Rev. Milton G. Person, who preceded her in death.
In the early 1920s her family moved to New Castle, where she graduated from New Castle High School in 1934 as salutatorian. As a young woman, she had the privilege of playing the violin at the World's Fair in 1933-34. She attended Interlocken Music School, Michigan, and Jordan Music Conservatory, Indianapolis, before graduating with a bachelor's degree in music from Anderson College. An accomplished violinist, she played in various community philharmonics in Muncie, Anderson, Goshen and Manchester College. She played with the Sounds of Hope on two tours to Europe where Milton went as a baggage carrier. A choir director at several of the churches where Milton served as pastor, she also played her violin at numerous churches and community events. For 45 years, she served along side of Milton in the following churches, Losantville-Blountsville, Shirley-Wilkerson, Saratoga-Deerfield, Anderson, Mentone, Albion, Goshen, Claypool, Remington and Flora-Bringhurst. Her early retirement years were spent caring for her parents in New Castle until their deaths. They moved to Columbia City in 1991 where she was active in Columbia City United Methodist Church. She will be missed by her family and friends who enjoyed her talents and gracious personality.
She will be lovingly remembered by her family including her son, Charles David (and spouse Sharon) Persons, Columbia City; daughter, Gretchen (and spouse John R.) Greubel, Fort Wayne; three grandchildren, Eric (and spouse Bobbi) and Brad (and spouse Leslie) Greubel, all of Fort Wayne, and Matthew Persons, Chicago, Ill.; and three great-grandchildren, Brayden, Cameron and Caitlin Greubel, all of Fort Wayne. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Lois Stephens.
Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, officiated by Associate Pastor Jean Ness of Columbia City Methodist. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Columbia City.
Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
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Memorials to the Columbia City United Methodist Church Building Fund.
