Inez J. Brownfield

On her 70th birthday, Inez Brownfield was set free from her unresponsive body and went to a happier place. In her final days, Inez was tended by her husband of 49 years, Michael, and the caring personnel from Heartland Hospice and passed away in the early morning of January 24th, 2017 at home. Inez Jane Hardesty was born in Beech Grove, Indiana in 1947, attended Beech Grove High School and went to IU at Indianapolis until her marriage to Michael Brownfield of Beech Grove in August 1967. The couple lived in Madison, Wisconsin where Inez worked as a bookkeeper for Frito Lay while Mike was at U of Wisconsin. After graduation, they moved to Beech Grove where Inez worked part-time for Blocks’ while Mike taught middle school. Their first child, Michelle, was born in 1972. They moved several times in several states including Ohio and Florida before moving to Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1977. Their second child, Joseph, was born in 1978. Inez was a housewife who enjoyed a variety of friends and loved to paint, draw, crochet, knit, and play golf. When the kids were grown, Inez worked part-time as a flower delivery person and a craft shop assistant. She was very outgoing and made friends easily. She enjoyed travel and visiting friends near and far. She and Mike played cards and went camping with several groups until Parkinson’ robbed her of mobility in 2011. Inez was preceded in death by her parents, Gene and Dorothy Hardesty. She is survived by her husband Mike, daughter Michelle Hill and son Joe, and her older brother Larry Hardesty. Inez has four grandchildren (Maggie, Ken, Lulu and Stephanie) along with many nieces and nephews who will miss her. A special thanks to her three aides who tended to her needs for five years in her home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30am, Monday January 30, at St. Jude Catholic Church, 2155 Randallia Drive, Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior. Calling will also be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm, Sunday, January 29, at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St. Joe Road, Fort Wayne, with Rosary service at 3:30pm. Entombment will be in Highland Park Cemetery, Fort Wayne. Memorial donations may be given to the Parkinson’s Foundation or Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana Indiana.