Baird-Freeman Funeral Home

221 North Meridian Street

Portland, Indiana 47371

260-726-7171

Nellie V. Monroe, age 92, of Portland passed away on Sunday December 18, 2022 in the IU Jay County Hospital.  She was born on March 19, 1930 the daughter of Harry and Dicea (Ferris) Finch.  Upon the death of her mother in 1934, she was raised by her maternal uncle and aunt, John and Inez Rowles.  She was married on May 21, 1951 to James R. Monroe and he passed away on June 30, 1988.  Nell attended Pennville Schools and was a member of Delta Theta Tau Sorority and Penn Home Economics Club.  She attended Pennville United Methodist Church and worked at Blankenbeker's Corner Store in Pennville and later was secretary to JUFFY.  An avid basketball fan, she has held a season ticket for Jay County High School basketball since the school's opening and prior to that rooted for the Pennville Bulldogs.

Surviving are two sons Dean Monroe (wife Nancy) of Portland and Ric Monroe (wife Merry Lee) of Gallatin, Tennessee, Eight Grandchildren Kyle Monroe, Lauren Luebke, Kelly Sims, Joshua Monroe, Tyler Monroe, Lindsey Brown, Whitney Monroe and Hannah Cotten, Fourteen great grandchildren Briana and Adam Luebke, Remington and Hadley Sims, Olivia, Atticus and Finnian Monroe, Logan and Owen Cotten, Tyler, Blake, Callie, Megan and Alyssa Brown, several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by a son Randy Monroe, great grandson Devin Luebke,  brothers John Rowles Jr. (wife Betty), Russ Rowles (wife Bertha), Bert Rowles (wife Letha), George Rowles (wife Janet) and Rohn Rowles. Sister Rickie Valentine (husband Woodrow).

Funeral services will be Thursday December 22, 2022 at 4:00 PM in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Harris presiding.  Burial will be in the IOOF Cemetery in Pennville.  Visitation will be prior to the services from 2:00 – 4:00 PM.  Memorials can be made to the Jay County Heart Fund or Jay County Cancer Society.

Online condolences at bairdfreeman@yahoo.com