Jean Lindower Lersch, age 89, of St. Petersburg passed away Thursday, December 8,
2022 at the Tierra Pines Nursing Home in Largo, Florida.
Jean was born in Warsaw, Indiana. Her family moved to Ashland, Ohio where her
father was a minister and faculty member at Ashland College and Ashland
Theological Seminary. Her mother was also an English Professor at Ashland College.
Jean was valedictorian of the 1955 graduating class at Ashland College. She was an
elementary school teacher, and was the organist at the Park Street Brethren Church
where her husband Phil was the pastor.
The family moved to Florida in 1967 where Jean and Phil established Brethren
House Ministries, a neighborhood ministry for 30 years in northwest St. Petersburg.
They also developed, published and shared Christian education materials with
teachers of all denominations by traveling from coast to coast leading workshops.
She also taught elementary school in Pinellas County. She later was the organist at
the St. Petersburg Church of the Brethren, and the Good Samaritan Church in
Pinellas Park.
Surviving Jean is a brother, Dr. John Lindower of Kettering, OH, and a sister, Ann
Eagle of Galion, OH. Also surviving is a son, John (JoAnn) Lersch of Pinellas Park, FL,
and daughter Sue Brock of Dunnellon, FL, 5 grandchildren, and 7 great-
grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the Celebration of Christ Church of the Brethren
in St. Petersburg on March 1, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
Share this Tribute
Let the family know you
care by sharing this tributes.
Jean Lindower Lersch
Leave a condolence
Jean has reached her blessed final home! My God be with Phil! They married us at Park Street in Ohio, and with God’s sense of humor, the first members of their mission congregation in St. Pete was a Naval Officer and Phil led the pacifist movement for the Brethren Church! We served together and kept in touch with them for years! We are now in a retirement home in Jacksonville, FL. M&ME
My sister, Beverly Summy, worked with Phil while he led the Brethren Youth for a number of years. I guess I did not know that Jean was born in Warsaw – our hometown before moving to Ashland. Jean’s Dad married my parents while serving in Warsaw and they were long time friends. Jean’s Dad actually performed a 50th rewenal of wedding vows for my parents. I know that Jean now rests in God’s loving arms.