Jean Ellen (Mapes) Frye, 76, formerly of Kendallville, Indiana died Friday, December 8, 2023, at her son's residence in Indianapolis following a courageous fight with cancer.

She and her twin brother were born April 13, 1947, at McCray Memorial Hospital in Kendallville to Arthur Franklin and Ruth (Acker) Mapes.

She is survived by her loving children, Todd Frye of Indianapolis and Janell (Cameron) Cockerill of Springfield, Ill.

She loved spending time with her family, including her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She created countless scrapbooks over the years, but the scrapbooks themselves were secondary to the precious times spent together making them with her beloved sisters and other friends and family.

She was treasured by her family for countless reasons, including for her potato soup and for her role as special assistant to Santa Claus at Mapes family Christmas parties, wearing matching Christmas sweaters with her sisters. She was a hardworking and generous person.

She had a strong faith in God, and she belonged to Crosspointe Family Church, Kendallville.

Jean enjoyed visiting with family and friends over breakfast at the Kendallville McDonald's, which she was able to do more often after her retirement from Snyder Food Services in Kendallville in May 2022. She had also worked at TaylorMade in Kendallville and Aztec Wire in LaGrange.

For many years, Jean volunteered with family members to raise funds for the Arthur Franklin Mapes Memorial Literary Scholarship with a booth at the Apple Festival of Kendallville, as well as several hot dog wagons throughout the year. She was proud of her father's recognition as Indiana Poet Laureate and author of the Official State Poem.

In addition to her children, Jean is survived by five grandchildren, Kimberly (Kenny) Kimes of Sturgis, Mich., Hailey (Alan) Weber of Quincy, Ill., Brittany Frye of Elkhart, Ind., Kyle Cockerill of Springfield, Ill., and Eric Cockerill of Springfield, Ill; and six great-grandchildren, Kaela Kimes, Kami Kimes, Khara Kimes, Kamryn Weber, Kamara Cockerill, and Holden Weber.

She is also survived by her twin brother, Dean (Diane) Mapes of Fremont, sisters Marilyn Barrett of Owensville, Ind., and Marlene Kay Mason of Kendallville, and brothers Richard (Celine) Mapes of Oceanside, California, Michael (Diane) Mapes of Auburn, and Howard (Cheryl) Mapes of Kendallville, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother and sister-in-law, Rev. James A. and Carolyn Mapes; brother, Donald Mapes; and her sister and brother-in-law, Darlene May and Jerry Frye.

Funeral services will be Friday, December 15, 2023 at 10 a.m. at Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville, with her brother, Howard Mapes, officiating.

Burial will follow at Lake View Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 14, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Friday.

Jean's funeral service will live stream on the Young Family Funeral Home Facebook page Friday at 10 a.m. for those unable to attend in person.

Preferred memorials are to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana.

View a video tribute after Thursday or share memories and condolences at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com