Norma Jean Uffelman

Norma Jean Uffelman, 90, of Decatur, Indiana, passed away into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, Christmas morning, December 25, 2025, at Lutheran Life Villages – Inverness in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

She was born on March 16, 1935 in Marion Twp. (Allen Co) Indiana to the late Arthur F. and Paula (Rossman) Schroeder.

Jean was united in marriage to Lester R. Uffelman on June 27, 1954, at St. John Lutheran Church- Bingen, and he preceded her in death on March 29, 2004.

She was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church (Bingen) where she served on the Altar Guild and the archives committee. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and assisted with the organization of the Lutheran Bible Institute. Jean was also a former, long-time member of the Schola Cantorum of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne.

Jean graduated Valedictorian from Concordia Lutheran High School in 1953. She faithfully served her family as a homemaker, and taught piano lessons since 1959. Music was an important part of Jean’s life. She enjoyed playing piano for the residents at Lutheran Life Villages, Adams Woodcrest, and Adams Heritage in Monroeville. She volunteered at the Lutheran Life Villages in Fort Wayne for over 20 years, where she valued the friendships she established over the years.

Survivors include her daughter, Sue (Mark) German of Fort Wayne, Indiana; daughter, Sandra (Robert) Rhein of Fort Wayne, Indiana; son, Ronald (Linda) Uffelman of Albion, Indiana; daughter, Amy Uffelman of Ossian, Indiana; daughter-in-law, Cara Uffelman of Fort Wayne, Indiana; brother, Henry A. Schroeder of Fort Wayne, Indiana; sister, Jeanette Peters of Hoagland, Indiana; seventeen grandchildren and thirty-three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, David Uffelman in 2023; sister, Mary (Ned) Hall; brother, Robert (Betty) Schroeder; and brother-in-law, Robert Peters.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at St. John Lutheran Church, Bingen with Pastor Peter Brock and Pastor Berett Steffen officiating. Burial will follow in St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery, Bingen.

Family and friends will be received on Monday, December 29, 2025 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the St. John Lutheran Church, Bingen and from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. prior to the service on Tuesday also at the church.

Preferred memorials can be given to Schola Cantorum of Concordia Theological Seminary; The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, “Rhein-Asia Support”; or St. John Lutheran Church, Bingen.

Arrangements by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana