Merle D. " Jean" (Turner) Madewell, 97, of Anderson, died peacefully in her asleep early Sunday morning on November 1, 2026.

She was born July 25, 1929, in Livingston, Tennessee. She lived for some years in Cleveland, Ohio, before moving to Anderson. She worked here at the old Tri-State store and Nicholson File before joining her husband, Richard, as owners of Madewell's Food and Ice Cream on Columbus Avenue. He preceded her in death in June 2011.

She loved watching football and basketball on TV, especially the Indianapolis Colts and the Indiana Pacers.

Merle is survived by one daughter, Barbara (Lynn) Rutledge; three sons, James Ledbetter of St. Petersburg, FL, Rick (Jenny) Madewell of Anderson, and Jim (Kim) Madewell of Anderson; grandchildren, including Daniel Finley of Anderson, Alisha Madewell of Johnstown, CO, Abby Madewell of Anderson, and Liam Madewell of Anderson; great-grandchildren, including Emerson Finley of Louisville, KY, Carter Crouch of Johnstown, CO, Caisen Crouch of Monticello, IN, Madelyn Madewell of Anderson, and Colton and Easton Finley of Anderson.

She was preceded in death by her husband; and parents, James and Lou Turner.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm, at Loose Funeral Homes & Crematory, Anderson, IN.

Services will follow visitation at 2:30 pm at the funeral home with Chaplain Shaun DuFault officiating.

Burial will take place in the Anderson Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the Compassus Hospice group for the incredible care from their nurses, aides, chaplain, and equipment workers.

Donations may be made to this group at Compassus Hospice-Anderson Home Health, 600 Corporation Dr., Pendleton, IN 46064.