Jean (Zimmerman) Warner-Magrane

Jean Warner Magrane, 96, died peacefully in her sleep on December 28, 2020, at Sprenger Health Care in Mishawaka.  We want to thank the staff at Sprenger for the loving care they provided in her final months.

Jean Zimmerman was born at home in Osceola, Indiana, on September 16, 1924, into a family of artists and musicians.  Her grandfather Arther E. Hartig, mother Beatrice Hartig-Zimmerman, and Aunt Geni Toth were all Charter Members of the Northern Indiana Artists and the St. Joseph Valley Watercolor Society.   Her mother studied at the Art Institute in Chicago at the age of 16.  B. Hartig Zimmerman’s paintings are exhibited in schools, museums, and public buildings around the area. She was the Osceola Librarian, decorated windows at Menaugh’s Hardware Store, taught piano, organ, and painting.  She was the organist at the United Methodist Church for 35 years.  Jean’s father, Harold “Zimmy” Zimmerman, was inducted into the Michigan Concertina Hall of Fame.  He delighted audiences well into his 80’s with Jean’s brother, Jack Zimmerman.  Her father founded Zimmy’s Tavern in Union, Michigan,

Jean’s graduated from Mishawaka High School.  Her life was greatly influenced by her family’s love for the arts as is evident in all she has done.  Jean was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, and a friend to everyone she met.  She was a successful business owner and an accomplished pianist, organist, and concertina player performing for weddings, funerals, style shows, private parties, and other events at Notre Dame and Century Center.  After taking a class taught by her mother, Jean began painting in her 60’s.  She had a keyboard in her room at Sprenger, where she entertained residents and staff, playing without music, just about every day, until her final weeks on Earth.  

Jean married the love of her life, Ned Warner, on December 16, 1944, in Little Rock, Arkansas, where Ned was stationed before going overseas in World War II.  After the war, they lived in Indianapolis, where Ned attended Mortuary College, and Jean continued to work in banking.  Ned and Jean came back to Osceola and founded The Warner Funeral Home.  The Warners were very involved in the Osceola Business Association and because of their kind and generous hearts, were friends to almost everyone in the community.  Jean and Ned loved to entertain in their home and on their boat and later traveled with friends in the RV.

Ned Warner preceded Jean in death on March 1, 1991.  Jean married Harry Magrane, DVM, on February 14, 1995 in Stuart, Florida.  Harry was a Veterinarian and retired from his family’s Vet Hospital prior to their marriage. They lived in Mishawaka and Stuart for many years, maintaining lasting friendships in both communities.  Harry preceded Jean in death on November 8, 2008.  

Jean is survived by her sister Joan Smith of St. Joseph Michigan, 3 children, Jan (Vickie) Warner, Tad Warner (Robbye Lou Heirman deceased), Meg Sauer (John Sauer deceased), and 3 step-children, Gregg (Etna), Bruce and Jean Magrane; 6 grandchildren, Christopher Warner, Tamra Jo (Nick) Dwyer, Melissa Nickel (Anthony Adams) Angela (Tadd) Crowel, Sarah Warner (Dominic Esposito), and Ned Sauer; 3 step-grandchildren, Oliver, Camila Magrane and Dylan Frankenheimer, and 9 great-grandchildren, Dylan and Abby Jean Dwyer, John and Megan Nickel, Adia Adams, Talin Crowel, Vincenzo, Enrico, and Gabriella Esposito. 

Throughout her life, Jean has had the opportunity to create and build strong relationships with friends and family. While there are too many to mention, it is important to note that Jill Heavner has been a constant companion and loving niece to Jean as she supported her through recoveries and day to day needs. 

Jean’s brother Jack Zimmerman, and grandson Jes Sauer, also preceded her in death.

Jean was a life-long member of the Osceola United Methodist Church, a member of the Northern Indiana Artists, the St. Joseph Valley Watercolor Society, and Tri Kappa Sorority. She was a Charter Member of the Osceola Historical Society.  She served as a judge and Parade Marshall for the Osceola Memorial Day Parade.

There will be a private funeral for Jean on Saturday, January 2, 2021, at 1:00 pm. The family invites her many friends and family members to watch it live on the Osceola United Methodist Church Facebook page. Donations may be made to the church in Jean’s memory. Read information about the church here: https://osceolaumc.org/.  There will be a celebration of her life at a later date.

To leave a condolence or to share a memory, please visit, www.hahnfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jean (Zimmerman) Warner-Magrane, please visit our floral store.