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BORN
1930
DIED
2017
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Jean Shade Obituary
Myerstown
Jean Romaine Shade, 86, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 8, 2017. She was the wife of Allen L. Shade. Jean was born on June 20, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Merit E. and Mary C. (Lingle) Gesford. Jean grew up on her family's farm in Hershey. She and her sister, JoAnn joined the Al Shade show in 1953 as the Gesford Sisters. Jean later married Al on September 18, 1955, as a couple they continued a lifelong commitment to preserving traditional country music. Their famous quote was "We're country and proud of it!" Jean continued to be a part of the Al & Jean Shade Radio Show, doing commercials, singing, and recording cart's and records. Jean was also a song writer and outstanding yodeler, one of the best loved songs she wrote was "Forever and a Day". She enjoyed singing harmony on songs with her husband, and recorded on 20 record albums in Nashville, TN. Jean and Al performed with many famous entertainers over the years and Jean was a featured vocalist in thousands of personal appearances. Along with her many talents Jean handled all the book work and still made time to do the most important job to her, being a homemaker. She will be remembered by family and friends for always having a beautiful smile on her face and a song in her heart. In addition to her husband, Jean is survived by a son, Faron L. Shade of Allentown; and a daughter, Debra A. (Shade) Glassmoyer, wife of William R., Jr. of Newmanstown; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister, JoAnn (Gesford) Gettle, wife of Bruce of Mt. Gretna; a brother, Earl B. Gesford, husband of Betty of Hershey; also several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by four siblings, Charles B. Gesford, William C. Gesford, Merit E. Gesford, Jr., and Janet G. Gesford.
Funeral Services are pending. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in memory of Jean to be made to the Dementia Society of America, P.O. Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901 or donate online at dementiasociety.org. Thompson Funeral Home, Inc. is entrusted with the arrangements. Please check our website for service updates and sign our online guestbook at
www.thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
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3 Entries
Yvonne Achenbach
June 4, 2024
Just talking about Jean s few days ago. Sharing memories and the stories she shared about Johnny Cash. She was always fun to be around and we all enjoyed time spent in her company. Rest well, my friend.
Stephen Baughman
October 5, 2017
I remember seeing them all over carnivals and enjoyed the radio show for yrs will be remembered fondly thank you for keeping traditional country music alive and well rip
Yvonne Achenbach
June 17, 2017
Great Lady. Jean and Joann and Paul Runkle entertained my Sunday school class in my home in 1955. We touched base over the years and many years later she did a solo act for The Lebanon County Flower club Luncheon.She shared stories of her life and friendship with Johnny Cash. Everyone loved her. When I think of her I always smile.We were all lucky to know her.
Sincere condolences to her family
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