Lee Newman

M. Lee Newman, age 74, of Portland passed away at his home on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.

Lee was born in Peru, Indiana, on Nov. 6, 1949, the son of M.K. and Carol A. Newman. He was married on July 3, 1976, to Sharon Lee who survives.

He graduated from Hobart High School and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Indiana University – Northwest and Purdue University. He was an administrator in the Jay School Corporation for 37 years. He served as principal at Judge Haynes Elementary, East Jay Elementary and East Jay Middle School.

Lee was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, where he served as trustee chairman and sang in the choir. He was also a member and on the board of directors of the Portland Morning Optimist Club.

He was currently serving on the Portland Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and board of the Jay Community Center.

Survivors include his wife Sharon and daughter Rebecca, both of Portland; two sisters, Nancy Owens of Oregon, Wisconsin, and Katrina Rogan of Valparaiso, Indiana; a brother, Roger Newman of Munster, Indiana; four nieces; five nephews; two great-nieces; and one great-nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents M.K. and Carol Newman; a brother, Mark Newman; a sister, Diane Donovan; and his in-laws Ed and Lucille Lee.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Asbury United Methodist Church with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. Visitation will also be Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. in the DeVerter Funeral Home in Cayuga, Indiana, with burial to follow in the Thomas Cemetery in Newport, Indiana.

Memorials can be made to the Asbury United Methodist Church.

Condolences may be expressed at bairdfreeman.com.