Jean Louella Bumgardner Mcdonald

Jean Louella Bumgardner McDonald, 92, died June 4, 2017, at her residence in Indianapolis. She was born in Toledo, Ohio, on January 12, 1925, to the late Earl Goudy Bumgardner and Cora Ethel Motz Bumgardner. The family moved to Indianapolis in 1931, where Jean started first grade at School 76. Her high school days were at Shortridge High School, graduating in 1943. Further education was at Stephens College in Columbia MO, graduating with her class of 1945. Coming home at Christmas 1944, Jean discovered her folks had moved without telling her. It’s an old joke, but it proved true for her. She lost her little dog in the move.
Secretarial work was her love, but short-lived, as she married Richard “Wick” McDonald in 1950. Together they raised three sons, Scott, Glenn, and Bruce. In 1965, she received a call from her church, Tabernacle Presbyterian, where she was a member since 1940, to “come be a secretary for us.” She did, staying 31 years, a period of her life she treasured.
Her husband Wick, in the meantime, had retired and was anxious to travel. They were able to do considerable cruising to interesting parts of the world. Jean loved doing handwork, was a knitter for many years, but then took up cross-stitching, creating a portrait for each of her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her brother, John Bumgardner. Survivors include her husband, Wick, and her three sons, Dr. Scott (Gina) McDonald, the Rev. Glenn (Mary Sue) McDonald, and Bruce (Ruth) McDonald; 10 grandchildren – Blake McDonald and Brian McDonald; Mark (Jennifer) McDonald, Katy (Johnny) Parker, Jeff (Christina) McDonald, and Tyler (Ashleigh) McDonald; Libby (David) Pike, Pete (Julie) McDonald, and Emily (Scott) McClelland; and 11 great-grandchildren – Nico, Marco, and Chesa McDonald; Sarah, Megan, and Drew Pike; Emma, Kylie, Caleb, and Cora McDonald; and Claire McClelland; two more little ones are expected this fall.

Services will be held at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church on Saturday, June 10, with a calling from 10 to noon, and a service of celebration at noon in the Sanctuary. A private family burial service will be held at Crown Hill Cemetery on June 9. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tab Endowment Fund, c/o Tab at 418 E. 34th St., Indianapolis IN 46205.