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Jean Whitener Obituary

Whitener, Jean Lee (nee Grounds) 96, of Columbia, MO, passed away Dec. 14, 2016. Born Aug. 14, 1920 in St. Louis, to Luther and Joy Grounds. In 1934, the family relocated to their farm in Cornwall, MO. She graduated H.S. in Marquand, MO. In 1938, After attending SEMO State, Jean began her teaching career in rural Madison County. She married her H.S sweetheart, Joy E. Whitener, in 1940. In WWII, they lived in Norfolk, VA during his Naval service. They also lived in Marquand, MO; Alton, MO; Louisiana, MO; Kewanee, IL; and finally St. Louis County. She was a Lindbergh School District teacher - reading specialist; earned a Bachelor's of Science from U of MO and Master's from Webster University. Jean was devoted to her family, cared for her live-in widowed mother, cherished holidays; loved visits from her grandchildren; enjoyed reading, sewing, knitting, quilting, cooking, genealogy; longtime member of the Methodist Church. Preceded in death by her husband of 74 years; parents; son Don R. Whitener, M.D.; grandson Thomas Rush; siblings Irma Detjen and Roy Grounds; Survived by her son Joy, Jr Doc (Mary) Whitener; daughter Judy (Richard) Rush; 9 grand- children; 9 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Joy and Jean Whitener Scholarship Fund, c/o Marquand/Zion R-6 School District in Marquard, MO or to a charity of one's choice, appreciated. Services: Vis. at the Follis F.H. in Fredericktown, MO,Dec. 20, 5 - 7 p. Funeral at the Marquand Methodist Church in Marquand, MO, Dec 21, 10:30 am Interment Whitener Cemetery.

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Published by St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Dec. 18, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
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5 Entries

Barry Bierwirth

December 19, 2016

I send my sincere sympathy to all of the family. I have many fond memories of our conversations about her family and mine when we both taught over at Dressel School. Not to mention my visits to their home in Webster to repair a clock now and then for her and her husband. She was a wonderful lady and friend.

Carolyne Candrl

December 19, 2016

I met Jean at Crestwood Elementary in1980. She generously gifted our family with a Christmas tree for our nursery as a baby shower gift. Everyone gave us ornaments for the tree. We put that tree in the nursery for several years and then in another room. We still have the tree today and I think of her every year. She was a caring teacher and reading specialist and I appreciated and respected her assistance.

December 19, 2016

I met Jean when I was a child in Potosi,MO. My family and I lived next to your uncle, Don. Don worked for my dad at Brown Shoe. Later, Jean and I taught together in Lindbergh. Jean and your dad were wonderful people. Both worked to do so much good for others. Good role models for us all.
You have my sympathy. God bless you. You got to keep her for a long time. JoAnn Kimbrough Moberly

December 18, 2016

To Doc, Mary, Brian, Sarah and Katharine,

So very sorry for your loss. Will be thinking

of you and hoping all the wonderful memories

of your mother, mother-in-law, and dear

grandmother will bring you peace and healing.

With much love,

Martha

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Memorial Events
for Jean Whitener

Dec

20

Visitation

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Follis & Sons Chapel - Fredericktown

700 Plaza Dr., Fredericktown, MO 63645

Funeral services provided by:

Follis & Sons Chapel - Fredericktown

700 Plaza Dr., Fredericktown, MO 63645

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