Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE - January 1, 1999

Jennie E. Oakes

May 4, 1904 - Dec. 29, 1998

Jennie E. Oakes, 94, of Rue Marceau, South Bend, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 1998 at 1:15 p.m. in Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Oakes was born on May 4, 1904 in New Sewickley Township, Pennsylvania, the youngest of nine children, to Frederick Wilson and Margaret Rebecca ''Bessie'' (Fidler) Stokes. She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Perry, Stanley, Leeman, Fred and Delmar; and three sisters, Maude Stokes, Blanch Newman and Mabel Schaus.

As Jennie E. Stokes, she married Robert E. Bowman on May 14, 1922. On June 23, 1937, she married Kenneth C. Oakes, who preceded her in death on Dec. 31, 1994.

Mrs. Oakes is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Ellen Jane (Bowman) and Orlow R. Johnston of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Jeanette L. (Bowman) and Donald P. Spaulding of South Bend. Other survivors include two grandsons, Kent A. (Lenna) Johnston of Laguna Niguel, California, and Larry D. (Evelyn) Johnston of South Bend; two great-granddaughters, Cynthia M. (Richey) Milburn and Jennifer A. (Jerome) Joachim; one great-grandson, Scott D. (Kelly) Johnston; and a great-great-granddaughter, Danielle R. Johnston, all of South Bend. Although she is survived by many nieces and nephews, some have preceded her in death.

Having been a vocalist with dance bands in and around the Benton Harbor, Michigan area before coming to South Bend in 1937, she was always interested in music. She and Kenneth were early members of the Shoe and Slipper Dance Club. In the early 1950's, she enjoyed singing with the Bendix Girl's Glee Club. She was also active in the Ladies of the Elks Lodge 235, and Forever Learning Institute. She was a member of Clay United Methodist Church.

Memorial services for Mrs. Oakes will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 4, 1999 in Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Ave.., South Bend. Rev. John Myers of Clay United Methodist Church will officiate. Entombment will be in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, Ind.

The family requests that donations be made in Mrs. Oakes' name to Clay United Methodist Church, 17646 Cleveland Rd., South Bend, IN 46635, Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637, Humane Society of St. Joseph County, 2506 Grape Rd., Mishawaka, IN 46545, or to a charity of the donor's choice.