Carol Jeanne (Shafer) Bedwell

Mrs. Carol Jeanne Shafer Bedwell, age 79, of Salem, passed away Monday, February 5 at St. Vincent Hospital, Salem.

Jeanne was born July 16, 1944, in Louisville, Kentucky, the daughter of Reverend Floyd Doud Shafer and Carol Jeanne Parsons Shafer.

Jeanne graduated from Salem High School in 1962.  That summer, she married James Apple and they attended Purdue University together.  After James graduated, they returned to Salem with their sons, Jimmy and Dan.  While raising their children, James was a pharmacist for the family drugstore, Apple Drugs.

In 1973, Jeanne finished her first degree at Indiana University Southeast.  Seven years later she earned a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education with a focus on English Education from Indiana University, Bloomington. She began her career as an educator by joining the faculty of Salem High School in 1977, where she taught English until she retired in 2005.  Throughout her years at Salem High School, Jeanne served as National Honor Society Advisor.

When her son, Jimmy, began playing basketball, and son, Dan, became a student manager for basketball and football, Jeanne’s time and interest was diverted to sports. Jeanne was a beloved teacher in the school system.  In 1998, she received the Daghlian High School Teacher of English award from Indiana University Department of English.  The following year, she received an Academic All-Star Certificate of Merit from the Indiana Academic Competitions for Excellence.

Jeanne was also a very active member of the community. She was a member of Tri-Kappa, P.E.O. Sisterhood, Daughters of the American Revolution, Possibilities Book Club, Colonial Dames XVIIC, SHS Alumni Association, Salem Classroom Teachers Association, and Delta Kappa Gamma.

Jeanne is survived by her husband: Max Bedwell of Salem.  They were married December 25, 1987.  She is also survived by two sons:  Dr. James Apple (Shinobu) of Calgary, Canada and Daniel Apple of Scottsburg, a step-son:  Stephen Bedwell (Rita) of Rockville, Indiana, a brother:  Floyd Shafer of Robinson, Illinois, a sister:  Rebecca McLaughlin of Tucson, Arizona, 4 step-grandchildren, and 17 step-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by a step-daughter:  Deanna Bedwell and her parents.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, February 11 at 2:00PM at Weathers Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Washington County Community Foundation.