Jean Elizabeth (Whyte) Wallace

Jean Elizabeth Wallace, age 82, passed away peacefully in her sleep after a very brief illness. Born March 29, 1941 in Detroit, MI, she was the only child of the late Robert and Doris (McFaul) Whyte.

On August 24, 1974, Jean married the love of her life, David Clark Wallace, Jr, who preceded her in death earlier this year. To their union, they were blessed with two sons, David (Amanda) Wallace of Granger, IN and Rob (Krystina) Wallace of Mishawaka, IN. Also left to cherish her memory are six grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Sandra Wallace of Waterford, MI.

As a young adult, Jean traveled the country with the American Youth Hostels. She made friends all over the U.S., sharing an interest in skiing and cycling. She rode several century rides (100 miles) on her road bike with various groups of friends. She loved to be in nature and loved being around other people.

Jean was a kind and supportive wife, married to “Dave” for nearly 50 years. The two of them met working together at a CPA Firm in Troy, MI. The day they met, Dave walked out of his office and bumped into “Jeanie” in the hallway. They had an immediate connection, locking eyes, and both grinning from ear to ear. She was smitten for him and knew that they would have a future together. Before having kids, they enjoyed camping and riding bikes together.

In their later years as husband and wife, Dave suffered with Dementia. Jean visited Dave regularly at Majestic Care, before joining him there last year. When he passed away earlier this year, she was heartbroken. She wept for her husband every day before succumbing to her own illness, just 80 days apart.

A loving mother, she enjoyed serving as a homemaker while her two boys still lived at home. She shuttled them around to Middlebury Little League, Youth Soccer, and the Northridge Raider’s Marching Band. In her later years, she loved sharing her love of art and jewelry with her grandkids. She thought every piece of the kid’s refrigerator art was a masterpiece.

After her two boys were out of the house, she worked as a school bus driver and crossing guard for several local school systems. She was very proud to receive a distinguished retirement certificate from Goshen Community Schools in 2021.

A Godly woman, she was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church in Goshen, IN. She served as a Deacon, sang in the church choir, and loved seeing how faith and science connect harmoniously.

Graveside Services will be held on Monday, August 14 at 1 p.m. at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens in Novi, MI where she will join her husband, mother, father, and a dozen other relatives who have previously been interned. A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, September 10 at 2:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Goshen, IN where friends and family are encouraged to gather to pay their respects,  share memories, and sing hymns together.