Ruth Jean “Jean” (Place) Salveter

May 3, 1926 - Mar 28, 2017

Ruth “Jean” Salveter passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, March 28, 2017, at her home after a short illness. She was born on May 3, 1926, in South Bend to Russell and Bernice (Gindleberger) Place. After graduating from Riley High School with awards in Math and English, Jean worked prior to college and played in a dance band that performed in clubs and recreation halls in the South Bend area. Eventually, she enrolled at Purdue University where she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority, appeared in a production of The Desert Song, sold a raffle ticket to the love of her life, and graduated from the School of Sciences with a degree in Math and Chemistry.

Above all else, Jean valued her family, her community, and her church. She married Robert E. Salveter, Jr., in July 1950, and they moved to Marion to start careers and a family. Her children value her as someone who always had a listening ear and homemade cookies on the table, who sewed Halloween costumes, and never missed a school concert or a Little League game. The family enjoyed many camping trips over the years and joke about her handling rough canoe portages with a backpack on her back and her purse over her arm.

Jean was also devoted to her community and always worked diligently to make it a little bit better. She was a member of the Hostess House, A.A.U.W., and P.E.O. She delivered Meals on Wheels for 25 years and served on the organization’s Board of Directors. Jean taught Math at Riley High School prior to her marriage and then resumed her involvement with education when her children were older, as a substitute teacher. She then served as Coordinator of Volunteers for Marion Community Schools for ten years, recruiting and training volunteers who helped many school children develop reading and math skills.

As a member of First United Methodist Church for over sixty years, Jean was always involved in some sort of ministry. She taught Sunday School and was a member of the Fellowship Class, but was proudest of her time helping to coordinate the University of Life. Jean was an enthusiastic member of the handbell choir. For many years, she served as a lay delegate to the North Indiana Annual Conference and as treasurer of the Marion District.

Jean is survived by her husband, Robert E. Salveter, Jr.; children, Karen (John) McManus, Ely, Minnesota, Barbara Salveter, Marion, Ed (Betty) Salveter, Coldwater, Michigan, and Dan (Lisa) Salveter, Thomasville, Georgia; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; siblings, Helen Sparks, Arlington Heights, Illinois, Virginia (Roy) Nevans, Greenwich, Connecticut, and Jim (Chris) Place, Valporaiso.

Calling hours are from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, April 2, 2017, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion. Funeral services will be private.

Sources: Ancestry.com and FindAGrave.com

08/28/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/177952169/ruth_jean-salveter