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Josephine Spear
Date Of Birth:October 30, 1917
Date Of Death:June 7, 2011
Service Date:Family will receive friends from 11am-1pm at Allen Funeral Home on Saturday. There will be no funeral service.

Josephine Spear, associate professor emeritus,School of Education,IndianaUniversity, passed away Tuesday at the Meadowood Retirement Community. She was born October 30, 1917 inBedford,Indiana, to H. Clifford and Beryl (Foster) Spear. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church inBedford.  In 1939 she received an A.B. in English fromDePauwUniversity, where she was a member and treasurer of Kappa Alpha Theta. She earned Masters and Doctorate Degrees fromIndianaUniversity.   She first taught inBedfordandMishawakajunior high schools. After three years as chairperson of the English Department at Warren Central,Indianapolis, she came toIndianaUniversityas an English instructor in theUniversitySchool.  From 1950 until 1970 Spear was the chairperson of the English Department in theUniversitySchool. In 1970 she was transferred from theUniversitySchoolto theSchoolofEducation. In 1983 she retired as chairperson of English Education,School of Education,IndianaUniversity.  For the Indiana University Correspondence Division, Spear wrote secondary English courses 9-12. Her primary publications, however, were high school literature textbooks, two in English literature and one in world literature: Adventures in English literature and Ideas and Patterns in Literature IV.  Her professional memberships included National Council Teachers of English, Indiana State Teachers, Delta Kappa Gamma and Phi Delta Kappa. She was a founding member of Gamma Associates Chapter of Tri Kappa. She was a member of Altrusa International, DePauw and Indiana University Alumni, IU Foundation, Woodburn Guild and Varsity Club. She was also a member of the 10-20 Investment Club and the Bloomington Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae.  Survivors include her nephew, Kenneth J. Eitel (Jacquelyn) of Greencastle; her niece, Joanna Batchelor (Miles) ofGreenwood; and six grand nephews: Anthony, Patrick, Adam, Jacob, Matthew and Ethan Eitel.  She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Elizabeth Eitel.  There will be no funeral service. The family will receive friends from 11am-1pm Saturday, June 11, 2011 at Allen Funeral Home. A private family internment will be held at Cresthaven Memory Gardens in Bedford. Memorial contributions may be made to the IU Lilly Library,1200 E. Seventh Street,Bloomington,IN47405-5500in memory of Josephine.


  • From: richard anderson
    Location:Downeers Grove, IL

    I took Senior English from Miss Spear in 53-54. I did more to prepare me for IU than any other high school class. She was a very classy lady, I will miss her. Dick Anderson, UHS 54


  • From: Margaret Edmondson Olson
    Location:Urbana, IL

    I was one of Miss Spear's many students at University High School, which I attended from 1948-1952. I remember her as an excellent and caring teacher who expected and inspired us to do our best. I am sorry to learn of her death. My condolences to family and friends. Margaret


  • From: Louise Griffin
    Location:Kentucky

    Jo Speak was my most favorite English teacher. She expected our respect and dedication, and I worked hard to do my best for her. Can you believe I even liked to diagram sentences? She was the best!


  • From: Anne Marie (van Wagtendonk) Petty
    Location:Missoula, Mont.

    Only a few weeks ago, fellow UHS '55 alum Marina Snow and I, remembering our high school days, agreed on how much we each had benefited, over the years, from Ms. Spear's English classes. I loved the English language (although Dutch was my first spoken language). Ms. Spear taught us the wonders of good language as expressed in writing and the importance of having respect for our words and for our readers by using appropriate style and correct grammar. I've never forgotten Ms. Spear or her wise lessons. Her legacy will remain with those of us who were privileged to have been among her many students. Our condolences to her family.


  • From: Cathy (Manifold) Dunham
    Location:United States

    I was saddened to hear of Miss Spear's passing. I have many fond memories of her at University High School and on some of the Indiana University Alumni Association athletic trips. May you be comforted during this time.


  • From: Janeth Murray Welch
    Location:Aiken, SC

    Miss Spear was one of the best teachers at UHS. While she was sometimes strict, she was fair and she knew her subject. Many of her students have fond memories. It sounds like she lived a long and fufilling life. I am sure her influence will continue within each of her nieces, nephews and grandnieces and nephews. But her passing is sad for us all.


  • From: Eric Martz
    Location:Amherst MA

    I attended University High School from 1954-1958, and Miss Spear was my English teacher in some of those years. I remember her as a caring and effective teacher who demanded that you do your best work. She is one of the few teachers that I remember 50 years later! She was one of the people who made my life better. Sincererly, Eric Martz, Professor Emeritus, Dept. Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst MA