Eleanor V. (Jones) DeMarco

Eleanor V. (Jones) DeMarco, 91, of La Porte, IN, passed away on Wednesday, April 15th, 2020 in Indianapolis, IN.

Eleanor was born in New Carlisle, IN, St. Joseph County, on July 3, 1928 to the late Ellis and Neva M. (Rodgers) Jones.

Surviving are her beloved children, Davelle E. DeMarco of Indianapolis, IN and Dawn E. DeMarco of Mechanicsville, VA; precious granddaughters, Kristin (Stu) DeMarco, Mikhala Sheets, Karlee DeMarco, Madeline Potter, India Potter, and Zoë Potter; great-granddaughter, Townes Brown; as well as numerous loved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, David E. DeMarco; brothers, Kenneth, George and Keith; sisters, Marvel, Virginia, and Eloise; and nieces, Marilyn and Neva Kay.

Eleanor graduated from New Carlisle High School as Salutatorian and continued her education at Indiana University where she received a B.S. and M.S. in Elementary Education focusing in music.  She was an avid Indiana University basketball fan and rarely missed a game.

Her teaching career began in New Carlisle where she taught elementary education for 18 years.  After moving to La Porte, she taught elementary music and served as department head for 22 years.  She loved her students at school as well as at home where she taught private piano lessons.

Eleanor was an active member in the La Porte community, including La Porte First United Methodist Church where she filled in as organist/pianist, sang in the choir, served on the Board of Trustees, and belonged to Wesley Ann Circle.  She filled in as organist/pianist at several churches in the area.

Eleanor served as the Grand Mother advisor of Rainbow Girls Order of Easter Star, was a member of the IN Retired Teachers Association, and received the Gleaners award for community service in 2002.  She and her great-nephew, Andrew Jones, were recognized for performing numerous benefit concerts for Friends of the Handicapped in Aruba, an organization founded by her brother and sister-in-law, Keith and Wilma Jones.

She was co-president of AAUW La Porte, member of Women’s Literacy Association, served on the LP Co. Symphony Orchestra board as chairperson of the Young Artists Competition, past-president of LP Service League where she played music and acted in several plays, belonged to Elizabeth Miriam Clyburn Chapter of Questers, performed with the “Ragtag” group once a month at nursing homes, and belonged and served in countless other groups and organizations.

Eleanor was so appreciative of her friends and volunteers, especially Debbie Bremer, Tina Geyer, Bonnie Quigley, Lucy Vergo, Sandy and Terry Burkhart, Lois Eversman, and her devoted friend and neighbor, Nancy Adkins.

Cremation has taken place with Keller Mortuary in Indianapolis, IN.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Reception will be held at a later date, to be announced.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family c/o Davelle DeMarco, 2900 Monroe St., La Porte, IN  46350 for the benefit of the First United Methodist Church of La Porte, IN Music Fund.

Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.cutlercares.com.