Jesse W. Louis

Jesse “Jess” W. Louis , 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Sunday, September 1 ^st , 2019 at his home in Fort Wayne. He was born on May 9, 1933 in Spotsylvania County, VA. Jess resided in Ft Wayne & New Haven since 1936.

He was confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne and was a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, New Haven. Jess was a Korean War veteran. After returning home Jess began a long and successful career at Lincoln National Life Insurance Company retiring in 1997 after 42 years.

Jess was involved in local baseball in various capacities serving for many years on the board of the Adams Township Youth League and he also served on the board of the New Haven Park Department for several years. Jess was an avid New York Yankees fan and in his youth he spent a couple of years in the Yankees organization as a pitcher and shortstop before entering the Army. Jess was a very accomplished bowler in the Ft. Wayne area. He enjoyed watching college basketball in addition to watching and playing golf. In his later years Jess enjoyed and cherished travelling with his wife Cindy and spending time with his family.

Jess is survived by his wife, Cynthia “Cindy” Louis of Fort Wayne; daughters: Cheryl (Russ) Wolfe of Fort Wayne; Debbie (Dennis Creech) Louis of Fort Wayne; Vicki (Dr. Drake) McDonald of Colorado Springs, CO; son Greg (Karen) Louis of Hoagland; stepdaughter Renee (Jody) Thompson of Indianapolis; five grandchildren: Kylie (Joey) Simon, Dr. Carter Mohnssen, Ashley Mohnssen, Nicholas Louis and Taylor Louis; and three step grandchildren: Jacob Thompson, Jared Thompson and Jayden Thompson.

Jess was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Janie (Butler) Louis; an infant son, Michael Allen Louis; 8 sisters, Ann Parisot, Ruby Burris, Nellie Acors, Ruth Irving, Mary Seay, Elizabeth Haines, Grace Everson, Lucille Yant and brother, James Lewis.

Service is 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 6, 2019 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 800 Green Street, New Haven, IN with Pastor David Stecker officiating and burial to follow in the Concordia Cemetery Gardens, Ft. Wayne. Friends and family will be received from 6-8 p.m. Thursday in the Emanuel Lutheran Church, New Haven and also one hour prior to services on Friday also at the church.

In lieu of flowers, Jess’ family requests that memorials be given in his memory to Emanuel Lutheran Church Food and Clothing Bank or the Emanuel Lutheran Kenyan Mission Fund.