GREENFIELD, IN
Elayne Rose Stewart of Pleasant Prairie, WI (and formerly a long-time resident of Greenfield, IN), passed away peacefully on February 10th with her children at her side. Elayne was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Maj. Jack Stewart, US Army (retired), her parents Chester and Helen Belzer, her nephew, Richard Silliman and her brother-in-law, Robert Stewart. She is survived by her children, Jolie (Gary) Larsen of Beloit, WI, Kimberly (Jeff) Wall of Winfield, IL and Marc (Majbritt) Stewart of Kenosha, WI, as well as two grandchildren, Danika and Devin Stewart. Elayne is also survived by her sister, Holly Isaacs, her niece Richelle Morrissey (Rene Martinez) and her great-niece Jenna Silliman of Palm Harbor, FL, her cousin Jean Belzer of Astoria, NY as well as her sister-in-law, Gladys Stewart, nephew Andy Stewart and niece Robin Hankinson all of Mason, WV and her dear friends Sara Johnson, Jack Parks (now deceased), Bettye Parks, Larry and Debbie Hill, Jim and Phyllis Arthur, Nancy Rubino (now deceased), Michael Rubino, Michael Maguire II and Renee Schmidt and many friends residing at the Addison assisted living community of Pleasant Prairie as well as friends and neighbors from the Timber Run community in Greenfield, IN. Elayne was 77 years old.
Elayne was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She was the first of two daughters born to Helen and Chester Belzer. In her childhood, she always had a dog by her side. She was even instrumental in applying her mother’s lipstick on the family boxer. Elayne played the trumpet and french horn in the marching band and volunteered as a candy striper for the hospital. She graduated from Willoughby South High School in 1965 and continued on to community college to expand her educational skills in a variety of subjects.
Elayne was married to Jack Stewart and immediately thrust into the military lifestyle, moving multiple times, living on Army bases in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Nebraska, Washington and Indiana prior to entering into civilian life, settling in New Palestine, IN for several years and then relocating to Woodridge, IL. Later would come another move to Beloit, WI and followed by a brief time in Buffalo Grove, IL before retiring in her beloved Greenfield, IN. A final move to Kenosha, WI occurred in December, 2021 to be closer to her children.
Elayne was an enthusiastic learner throughout her life, passionate about travel, history and all varieties of music with a particularly fervent devotion to Jerry Lee Lewis. Elayne and her friend Bettye enjoyed a road trip to find and then tour the childhood home of Jerry Lee and even met his son. Elayne regaled stories of this trip with much excitement and laughter. It’s unclear if Jerry Lee Lewis’s boyhood home was typically open to the public or if somehow Elayne cajoled her way in for a private tour. She did comment that they hadn’t bothered to tidy up so it’s entirely possible that it was not a public venue. Elayne also was delighted to attend a Jerry Lee Lewis concert in Florida with her friend Sara and her sister Holly. Elayne lamented greatly that she’d forgotten to buy a lacy little bra to throw on stage.
She was also a steadfast advocate for the well-being of animals and volunteered with Partners for Animal Welfare Society and the Hancock County Historical Society for many years. Elayne loved to travel and experience new places. Elayne and her husband had a knack for adopting strays that gravitated to their house, often dragged home by one of the kids.
Elayne will be laid to rest beside her husband at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to Partners for Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) at 1547 N State St, PMB 109, Greenfield, IN 46140 or to the Hancock County Historical Society at 28 Apple Street, Greenfield, IN 46140.
Proko Funeral Home &Crematory
5111-60th Street
Kenosha, WI 53144
Phone: (262) 654-3533
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Online Memorial Book at:
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