Jean Analee Mccutchan

Jean McCutchan, 60, of Goshen, died early Saturday morning, December 8, 2012. She was born August 20, 1952 in Cleveland, Ohio, to H. Robert and Myrna (Flory) Gemmer. She married Larry J. McCutchan December 24, 1973 in Muncie. He survives. Also surviving are two sons, Eric McCutchan of Dallas, Texas and Andrew McCutchan of Goshen; her mother, Myrna Gemmer of St. Petersburg, Florida; and a brother, David R. (Marsha) Gemmer of St. Petersburg, Florida. Jean graduated in 1970 from Lakewood High School, St. Petersburg, Florida. As a child she had the opportunity to travel extensively with her parents. The family happened to be in Europe when construction started on the Berlin Wall. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology with a minor in peace studies from Manchester College and a Master's degree in psychology in 1975 from Ball State. She began work on her Ph.D. at Andrews University in 1978 while continuing to work full time. She completed the degree in 1994 and became an Indiana Licensed Psychologist shortly thereafter. Her doctoral dissertation focused on children in families with a parent who had multiple sclerosis. Jean worked for the Wa-Nee, Concord and Baugo special education cooperative from 1975 to 1985, first as a school psychologist and then as Director of Special Education. She worked at the Elkhart office of the Family Learning Center, a counseling agency based in South Bend from 1985 to 1991. She then accepted a position with Psychological and Family Consultants in Elkhart, where she worked from 1991 to 2009. Jean opened her own practice, Blue Heron Psychological Services in 2009 and worked until her retirement in 2012. For her entire adult life Jean was a board member for the H.C. Gemmer Family Christian Foundation, a charitable organization that promotes peace, fellowship and Christian values. Jean entered the Mrs. Indiana Pageant in 1986 and again in 1987, when she won the Amity Award, an honor voted by the contestants themselves. In 2000 she was named Ms. Wheelchair Indiana. As the national pageant in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, in 2001, Jean was named a finalist and won the People's Choice Award, which is voted by the attending public. Friends may call from 1 until the 3 p.m. memorial service on Friday, December 14, 2012, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. Rev. Worth Hartman, family friend, will officiate. Jean suffered from numerous physical ailments throughout her life, and has asked that her body be donated for scientific study. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to the H.C. Gemmer Foundation or a charity of your choice.