Obituary of Lindsey Jo-Erin Cloutier

Lindsey Jo-Erin (Drake) Cloutier, 31, of Niles, passed away while surrounded by her husband, family & friends on Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 12:37 a.m. eastern standard time after a long & courageous battle with leukemia. Lindsey was born on February 27, 1983 in Simi Valley, California. She was a happy child who started learning at a young age; by 15 months old she spoke in fluent sentences. At the age of 16 Lindsey was diagnosed with leukemia. While in high school she missed over one year of her schooling due to her health; she was so determined to graduate on time that when she was feeling better she went to school full time during the day and then full time at night, and graduated with her classmates in 2001 from Niles High School. Lindsey attended Southwestern Michigan College where she earned an award for her writing abilities. After high school she worked for some years in the food service industry which culminated in her supervisory position at Knollwood Country Club's banquet facility. Four years ago she met her work family at Leader Publications where she was employed as an Outside Advertising Sales Representative. She customized advertising for and formed friendly relationships with many of the local business owners in Niles and Buchanan. Lindsey was an inspiration to many in the area, personally and professionally. On June 6, 2010 Lindsey wed the love of her life, Daniel Cloutier, at a beautifully unique outdoor ceremony at the Inn at the Old Republic in New Carlisle, Indiana. Lindsey had a vivacious spirit and quickly made friends. She often noted that she made "insta-friends". She loved camping, festivals, traveling and going on vacations, spending time in nature, kayaking, tie-dye, arts, crafting, flowers and gardening, peace signs, family time and even enjoyed quiet time at home, especially if it was spent with her loving husband & dogs or Xai and Jay. Lindsey will also be remembered for her no-drama attitude and love for all things comedy and light-hearted. Lindsey was a fan of all music. Her musical taste ranged from Jay-Z and Janet Jackson to Paul Simon and Mumford and Sons, and she most recently discovered EDM. She is preceded in death by the man whom she called "Dad" and loved dearly, Papa Mark Asmus; her uncle, Leonard Drake; paternal grandparents Charles and Ruth (Richardson) Drake; father-in-law Thomas Cloutier and her two pet dogs Cameo and Ella. Lindsey is survived by her husband Daniel "Dan" Cloutier of Niles, Michigan; mother Patresa "Patt" Shelton of Niles; father Charles "Chuck" Drake of Las Vegas, Nevada; sister Alison (Betsy Lucal) Moss of South Bend, Indiana; niece Jaymeson Janerin Moss of South Bend; nephew Xavier Logan-Joseph Moss of South Bend; maternal grandparents James and Betty (Kasper) Shelton of Granger, Indiana; paternal grandparents Leon and Carolyn (Sellers) Asmus of Niles; mother-in-law Sharon Cloutier of Niles; many aunts, uncles, extended family members and the best groups of friends a girl could have. Lindsey will also be missed by her two dogs Wiley Joe and Luna. A time to celebrate Lindsey's courageous life will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2014 with a time of visitation for family and friends from noon until 4:00 p.m. with funeral beginning at 4:00 p.m. Lindsey's family asks that you please support her by requesting you not wear formal attire, but instead dress in bright colors, purple and tie-dye. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Lindsey's name may do so to Riley's Hospital for Children located at 705 Riley Hospital Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46202, Ronald McDonald House of Indiana located at 435 Limestone St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, Make-a-Wish Foundation located at 7330 Woodland Dr., Suite 201, Indianapolis, IN 46278, or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, located at P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202; all of which helped Lindsey and her family during her time of need.