1
tree
planted in memory of Nancy J. Dembowski
Obituary for Nancy J. Dembowski
Nancy J. Dembowski, age 91, of Knox passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Monday, September 15, 2025. Nancy was born August 14, 1934 in Laporte, Indiana to Jesse Clabaugh Jr. and Dorothy (Demont) Clabaugh Teske, both deceased. She was very active in the community having started at W.K.V.I Radio in 1971 as a secretary, eventually becoming an on-air personality and reporter. She also had a long and prosperous political career starting with being elected as the very first female Starke County Councilperson serving from 1985-1992, she served as Mayor of Knox from 1992-2002, as Indiana State Senator from 2002-2004, and in the Indiana House of Representatives from 2006-2012, she was selected as a delegate to the 2012 Democrat National Convention. She spent countless hours serving on boards, committees and organizations too numerous to mention them all. She married Edward Dembowski on August 16, 1952, he preceded her in death on March 17, 1995. She is survived by her children, Michael Dembowski of Knox, Rebecca Czarnecki of Knox, and Patrick Dembowski of Muncie, her three brothers, Tommy Clabaugh of Louisiana, Terry Clabaugh of Crown Point, and Daniel Clabaugh of Nevada, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Jay Clabaugh and two grandsons, Connor Dembowski and Ryan Greer.
A celebration of life will take place on Sunday, October 12, 2025 at 1:00pm (CT) at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox.
Memorials may be made in her memory to the Starke County Youth Club, PO Box 442, Knox, Indiana 46534.
M.C. Smith Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
To plant a tree in memory of Nancy J. Dembowski, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Service
Sunday
12
Oct
1:00 PM
- 2:00 PM
Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center
55 E. Lake St.
Knox, IN 46534
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