BAIRD-FREEMAN FUNERAL HOME

221 NORTH MERIDIAN STREET

PORTLAND, INDIANA 47371

260-726-7171

FAX 260-726-7172

EMAIL  bairdfreeman@yahoo.com

M. Lee Newman, age 74, of Portland passed away at his home on Wednesday November 22, 2023.

Lee was born in Peru, Indiana on November 6, 1949 the son of M.K. and Carol A. Newman. He was married on July 3, 1976 to Sharon Lee who survives. He graduated from Hobart High School and earned his bachelor's and master's degree in education from IU Northwest and Purdue University.  He was an administrator in the Jay School Corporation for 37 years.  He served as principal at Judge Haynes Elementary, East Jay Elementary and East Jay Middle School.

Lee was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church where he served as Trustee Chairman and sang in the choir.  He was also a member and on the board of directors of the Portland Morning Optimist Club.

He was currently serving on the Portland Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and board of the Jay Community Center.

Survivors include his wife Sharon and daughter Rebecca both of Portland, two sisters Nancy Owens of Oregon, Wisconsin and Katrina Rogan of Valparaiso, Indiana, a brother Roger Newman of Munster, Indiana, Four nieces, five nephews, two great nieces and one great nephew

He was preceded in death by his parents M.K. and Carol Newman, a brother Mark Newman, a sister Diane Donovan and his in laws Ed and Lucille Lee.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday November 28, 2023 from 3:00 – 7:00 PM in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11:00 AM in the Asbury United Methodist Church with visitation from 10:00 – 11:00 AM.  Visitation will also be Thursday from 12:00 – 1:00 PM in the DeVerter Funeral Home in Cayuga, Indiana with burial to follow in the Thomas Cemetery in Newport, Indiana.

Memorials can be made to the Asbury United Methodist Church.

Online condolences at www.bairdfreeman.com