SEYMOUR
Elsie Marie Melloncamp Kovener, age 92, of Seymour passed away peacefully at the Lutheran Community Home, in Seymour surrounded by her loving family. Born at home in Tampico, she was the daughter of Andrew and Lydia Nierman Melloncamp, both of whom preceded her in death.
Elsie was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wegan, IN. She graduated from Tampico High School in 1947 and then graduated from Central Beauty College, Indianapolis in 1948. She owned and ran her own beauty shop, The Vogue Beauty Salon, in Brownstown while she waited for her then fianc?, Staff Sgt. Jesse Kovener, to return to the states from Wiesbaden, Germany serving with the U.S. Air Force.
Jesse had his brother, Gilbert, deliver her engagement ring to her at the beauty shop, and Elsie lovingly waited for three long years until Jesse’s return. He arrived home in December 1951, and they were married in January of 1952 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Church Wegan.
As life continued, she eventually sold her beauty salon, and they started having a family. Throughout the children’s early school years, Elsie was a devoted stay-at-home mom. Known for her sweetness, caring, and kindness she practically helped raise half the neighborhood children. Their house on Lee Boulevard was where all the neighborhood kids gathered, played, and were treated with snacks from their gracious second mom. A lot of those children still keep in touch with Kovener’s even as adults.
For several years Elsie went to work at Grant’s Department Store and worked as a beautician for Mary’s (Brethauer) Beauty Shop part-time. She then went to work full-time with Seymour Community School System as a cafeteria cook at the Seymour Middle School where she spent 33 years until her retirement.
Mrs. Kovener was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Seymour where she was actively involved with Ladies Aid #3 for many years. Elsie was one of the original volunteers for the Braille workers with Immanuel Lutheran Church. She was also active in Jackson County’s Hoosier Hilltop Homemaker’s Club.
Elsie was a very devoted Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She cherished and loved her family greatly and always put family needs above her own. She had the softest, sweetest, voice and was so kind and caring to not only her family, but to everyone who knew her. She had a wonderful simple singing voice and taught her granddaughter and great-granddaughters the “Manger song” as they still call it today (Away in a Manger). We have it recorded, and I am sure we will listen to it often. She was a wonderful cook and always, made plenty of family favorites for the holidays, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Elsie and Jesse liked taking short trips and site seeing. As mentioned earlier, Elsie was so patient. As she waited for Jesse to come home to be married, she also was patient in her passing. She knew how important it was to Jesse to make it to their 70th wedding anniversary, so even in her last days of declining health, she patiently waited. After reaching that milestone for him, she peacefully passed away about 3pm on their anniversary, with her family by her side. Her passing will certainly leave an absence in our family. She was our comforter, our supporter, our inspiration and will be greatly missed.
Survivors include her husband Jesse J.; one daughter, Debbie Tatlock; one granddaughter, Jennifer L. (Larry) Abner; one great-granddaughter, Lydia M. Chandler; two step great-granddaughters, Chelsea Abner, (Justin McDonald), and Cassie Abner (Chris Pring); one nephew, Duane Melloncamp; one niece-in-law, Dorothy Melloncamp; two great nephews Terry and Eric Melloncamp; one great niece/nephew-in-law, Amy and Julio Torres; one great-great niece, Gabi Torres.
Elsie was preceded in death by her only son, Dennis Kovener of whom she cherished; one brother, Harold Melloncamp; one sister, Agnes Melloncamp; one nephew, Larry Melloncamp; one sister-in-law Evelyn Melloncamp; and one brother-in-law, Gilbert Kovener.
Visitation will be held at Voss Funeral Home, 316 North Chestnut Street, Seymour on Monday, January 10, 2022, from 4:00-7:00 pm. The service will be on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, with visitation starting at 10:00 am until time of service at 11:00 am at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 605 South Walnut Street, Seymour. The Rev. Ralph Blomenberg, Rev. Phillip Bloch, Rev. James Rodriguez, and Vicar Nick Wagenknecht will be officiating. Internment will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Seymour.
Memorial may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ladies Aid #3, of Immanuel Lutheran Church or Donor’s Choice.