Jean Eli

Helen Eli, age 86, passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Presbyterian Manor in Parsons, Kansas.

Helen "Jean" Eli was born August 31, 1938, to Naomi and Leon Beal in Coffeyville, Kansas.

Jean graduated from Field Kindley High School in Coffeyville in 1956. She married Johnny G. Eli on January 27, 1957, at the First Methodist Church in Coffeyville. The couple raised two beautiful daughters, Dana and Zaneta.

Helen graduated from Missouri Southern State College in 1969, with an Associate of Science Degree then went on to pass the Registered Nursing Board. Jean earned a Bachelor of Science Degree at Westmar College in Iowa. She spent a semester post grad at Central Michigan College.

Jean attended the International World Nursing Conference in 1974 in Tokyo Japan. While there she was able to travel to Bangkok and Hong Kong.

Jean spent her career as a registered nurse and educator, her husband, John, was also an educator. Their occupational opportunities took them to several states throughout their marriage.

Life experience as a Registered Nurse included teaching practical nursing students at NEO AM College from 1970-1978, Director of Nursing of Practical Nursing NEO area Vo Tech, Pryor campus. She was the night supervisor at Eastern State Mental Health in Vinita, OK for 3 years. Jean worked as a RN at St. Johns in Joplin, MO now known as Mercy for 13 years. During this time, she held the position as a head nurse for the Medical/Surgical Unit, she assisted with the development and implementation of programs for the middle managers, presented seminar trainings and assisted with the development and implementation of nursing process care plans for patient care. She was a manager and on call care for the geriatric nursing unit and trained students to become CMAs or CNAs at the Coffeyville Vo Tech.

Jean attended the Edna Methodist Church for more than 40 years and a member of the Edna Methodist Women's group. She served on the Edna Library Board for eight years.

Her hobbies included her love for nursing and teaching, reading, cross stitch, growing plants, camping, fishing, and traveling in their motorhome. Some of her favorite trips were to Alaska, Canada, and New Mexico.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Zaneta Radebaugh, and her husband Bill; her son-in-law Jack Gilpin; grandchildren, Jennifer Harp and husband, Chris, Nate Radebaugh and his wife, Ashley, Bryan Gilpin, Gene Gilpin, Chris Gilpin, and great grandchildren Amaia and Wyatt Harp; sisters, Edith Traxson and Sue Marsh along with numerous extended relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Noami Beal, her loving husband, John Eli, daughter, Dana Gilpin and still born daughter, Deana Eli.

Following Jean's wishes, cremation has taken place under the direction of David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville, KS.

Graveside Memorial Services will take place on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Spring Hill Cemetery north of Coffeyville.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions can be made to the Edna Public Library, St. Judes or the Shriners Children's Hospital; these may be left with the funeral home or mailed in care of David W Barnes Funeral Home 306 N Cline Rd Coffeyville KS 67337. To leave condolences for the family online, visit Jeans memorial page at www.dwbfh.com.