Sylvia (Jean) Struewing, age 85, died peacefully in her home on July 2, 2022 surrounded by her family. Jean was born in Batesville, IN on March 5, 1937 as the youngest of seven children to Leo & Vera (Schein) Flodder. She graduated from Batesville High School in 1955 and later married her high school sweetheart Herman (Ham) Struewing on June 28, 1958. While Jean considered her family as her first and favorite “job”, she worked at other times as a hairdresser, school tutor, cake baker, and most recently as the library assistant at BHS.
Jean was the founder of the Batesville Area Historical Society and was passionate about preserving the beauty of this area. She authored a book about its history and was honored as Volunteer of the Year. Jean grew the most gorgeous flowers, particularly roses, and loved to share them with others. Jean and Ham spent many years traveling the country on bus trips with friends, and were founding members of the Batesville Starlighter’s square dance club. Jean was very supportive of the schools and her church. She co-founded and co-directed the Living Christmas Tree, a true original live production 30-ft high with over 60 students at St. Louis School singing Christmas carols.
Jean enjoyed watching sports and spent long hours at the swimming pool or gym supporting her kids’ or grandkids’ events. She could be counted on to cheer for the Bulldogs (ever since her days on the cheerleading squad). Jean was great in the kitchen; known for her apple dumplings and of course her fabulous wedding cakes. She was the best at remembering birthdays and events and sent more greeting cards than you could imagine. Jean was always up for a glass of classic Coke, an episode of Family Feud, and a game of euchre, not necessarily in that order and depending on the day.
Her beautiful life will forever be cherished by her family: her husband Ham of 64 years, and their six children: two sons Jeffery (Paula) Struewing of Takoma Park, MD, and Douglas (Paula) Struewing of Batesville; and four daughters Nancy Struewing of Cleves, OH, Debra (David) Hayhurst of Newburgh, IN, Susan Phillips of Batesville, and Carol Struewing of Saint Petersburg, FL. She was the loving grandma to 12 grandkids and four great grandkids. Jean was preceded in death by her parents Leo & Vera, her two sisters and four brothers, and her grandson David.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at the Weigel Funeral Home from 4-7 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at 10 am at St. Louis Catholic Church with burial following in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Batesville Area Historical Society or the Batesville Community Education Foundation.