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Jean Whitener Obituary
Jean was born Aug. 14, 1920, in St. Louis to Luther and Joy Grounds. In 1934, she relocated with her parents to the family farm in Cornwall. Jean attended high school in Marquand, graduating in 1937. Jean married her high school sweetheart, Joy E. Whitener, in 1940 at her home in Cornwall. They were married 74 years.
After attending Southeast Missouri State, Jean began her classroom teaching career in rural Madison County in 1938.
This career spanned 39 years, interrupted only by her husband's naval service during World War II when she joined him in Norfolk, Virginia. Their parallel careers in education took them to Marquand, Alton, Louisiana and Kewanee, IL. Their final career move was to St. Louis County, where Jean taught in the Lindbergh School District as a classroom teacher and reading specialist.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri and a Master's degree from Webster University.
Throughout her life, Jean was devoted to her family. Shortly after her mother was widowed, Jean and Joy welcomed her into their home.
She cherished holidays, especially Christmas, and always looked forward to extended visits from her grandchildren. In addition to her family, Jean enjoyed reading, sewing, knitting, quilting, cooking, and genealogy. Her family research led to the publication of her family's history in 2004. She was a longtime member of the Methodist Church.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband; parents; son, Don R. Whitener M.D.; grandson, Thomas Rush; sister, Irma Detjen; and, brother, Roy Grounds.
She is survived by her son, Joy, Jr "Doc" (Mary) Whitener of Columbia; daughter, Judy (Richard) Rush of Oak Grove, 9 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Joy and Jean Whitener Scholarship Fund, Marquand/Zion R-6 School District in Marquard, MO. or to a charity of the donor's choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jean Whitener
Sponsored by Follis & Sons Chapel - Fredericktown.
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
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results
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Memorial Events
for Jean Whitener
Dec
20
Visitation
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Follis & Sons Chapel - Fredericktown700 Plaza Dr., Fredericktown, MO 63645
Funeral services provided by:
Follis & Sons Chapel - Fredericktown700 Plaza Dr., Fredericktown, MO 63645
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