Jone Gregg Oman of Bluffton, Indiana returned to her trusted Savior on Sunday, September 4. Born on July 21, 1940, at age 82, Jone’s earthly life ended amongst family at home after inspirationally completing treatments for cancer and stroke rehabilitation simultaneously – always accepting the offer to do more. She is the loving wife of James Harold Oman. Jim and Jone are best known for always being together hand in hand especially along the River Greenway. She delighted in being a wife and mother, enjoyed life and encouraged others to lead by following God’s plan.
Jone grew up in Wells County and following her graduation from Petroleum High School (’58) where chosen as Miss Petroleum, earned a degree at Warner Beauty College in Ft. Wayne. Retiring in 2003, she worked at Franklin Electric for 30 years and sought to continuously improve becoming certified and engaging in Quality Improvement initiatives.
Jone married the love of her life Jim Oman on August 13, 1958, at her mother’s home in Petroleum. Happily married for 64 years, their family was blessed with three children Todd, Cheryl, and Lana. An amazing Mom, she shared her warm heart to create a happy home, encouraged commitment to faith and education, and provided incredible advice with a listening ear and loving touch. Always beautifully ready to go and brightening days with her delicious warm pies, her favorite hobbies included genealogy, canoe racing, Poneto historian, and most of all family events with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was formerly a member and choir leader of the Poneto United Methodist Church and First Church of Christ, Bluffton.
She will always be remembered and loved by her husband, Jim Oman of Bluffton; three children, Todd (Linda) Oman of Greentown, Cheryl (Randy) Barger of Decatur and Lana (Garrett) Wietholter of Zionsville; Seven grandchildren, Ryan (Abby) Oman of Greentown, Trent (Candice) Oman of Carmel, Tara (Bryson) Oman Renbarger of Converse, Ross Oman of Greentown, Brandon (Lauren) Barger of Decatur, Rachel (Felix) Barger Baum of Mooresville, and Nathan Barger of Decatur; And eighteen great-grandchildren, Josey Elizabeth Oman, Ryan Todd Oman, Jr., Lillian Rose Oman, Jenna Lynn Oman, Algird James Oman, Solomon Joseph Oman and Vivienne Nicole Oman; Liam James Oman, Malia Laine Oman, Henry David Moran and Sylvia Brooke Moran; Baer Joseph Renbarger, Cael Alexander Renbarger, Bayne Garrett Renbarger, Emily Jay Renbarger and Ansley Lynn Renbarger; Jacob Wayne Barger and Leah Marjorie Barger. And her sister, Sharon Evone (William) Gentis, twin brother, John (Dee) Gregg, Jr. all of Bluffton, sisters-in-law, Roberta “Bobbie” (Cy) Oman of Bluffton and Joann (Ralph) Davison of Columbia City; and many nieces and nephews dear to heart.
Jone was preceded in death by her parents Helen Viola Clark and John Morris Gregg.; half-brother, Ralph Eugene Davison of Columbia City; brothers-in-law, Robert Neal Oman, Sr. of Taft, Texas, John Hyser Lewis of Muncie, Wendel “Cy” Leon Oman of Bluffton, and William “Bill” Gentis of Bluffton; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Evelyn (Oman) Lewis of Muncie and Dorothy (Johnson) Oman of Taft, Texas.
A private graveside burial will be at Elm Grove Cemetery, Bluffton, Ind., a video will be uploaded to the Thoma/Rich website and a celebration of life will follow at a future date.
Flowers, cards, or memorials may be made to Bluffton Street Fair, Bluffton Library Computer Lessons, or Poneto History Club. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton, Indiana. Friends may send condolences to www.thomarich.com.