Gretchen Bumbaugh (Seiffert)

Gretchen Watkins Manthey Bumbaugh passed away Thursday, August 6, 2015 at 5:10 AM at her home in the Grace Village Assisted Living Community, Winona Lake, Indiana. She was 82.
Gretchen was born in Niagara Falls, New York to Henry W. and Lenora M. (Schreiber) Seiffert. She was a 1950 graduate of Warsaw High School, Warsaw, Indiana.
On June 10, 1950 Gretchen and Donald L. Watkins were married. After 30½ years of marriage, he died January 11, 1981. Gretchen and Wayne A. Manthey were joined in marriage beginning January 8, 1983 until his death on March 14, 1993. John Bumbaugh took Gretchen as his wife on November 25, 1994 and they would remain married until his death on March 15, 2009.
Gretchen lived most of her life in the Leesburg, Indiana and Warsaw areas. She was a bookkeeper and receptionist for Armstrong Products and Ameri-Kan retiring in 1989.
She was a former member of the Leesburg United Methodist Church and was an avid reader who loved working crossword puzzles. But most of all Gretchen loved her family.
Survivors include her 3 sons and daughters-in-law: Steven and Donna Watkins of Mancos, Colorado; Stuart and Julie Watkins, Claypool, Indiana; and Sterling and Sarah Watkins of Warsaw. She also is survived by 3 step sons and 2 step daughters: Jon (and Carolyn) Bumbaugh, Alan Bumbaugh, Dan (and Sally) Bumbaugh, Karen (and Dan) Hansen and Brenda Brown; a brother and sister-in-law: Eric and Judy Seiffert, Warsaw; 5 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, 7 step grandchildren and 5 step great grandchildren.
In addition to her husbands, Gretchen was preceded in death by a brother: Eugene Seiffert (November 14, 1990) and 2 sisters: Dorothy Hodges (December 14, 1981) and Ardis White-Wisehart (December 17, 2000).
Family and friends will gather Monday, August 10th from 4-7 PM at Titus Funeral Home (2000 E. Sheridan Street, Warsaw, Indiana 46580) for a time of sharing in support of one another. Then beginning at 7 PM a service celebrating Gretchen’s life will begin with Pastor Mike Settles of Claypool United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will take place later in Leesburg Cemetery.
The family has asked that gifts in Gretchen’s memory be given to Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice, PO Box 1196, Warsaw, Indiana 46581-1196.
The staff of Titus Funeral Home considers it a privilege and an honor to care for the family and friends of Gretchen Watkins Manthey Bumbaugh.