Jean D. Schlesinger

Jean Davis Schlesinger, 94, of Peoria, IL, passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Proctor Hospital in Peoria.
Jean was born on August 11, 1931, in Chicago, IL. She was the daughter of Dr. William John Nixon Davis Jr. and Helen Mason Davis. She married the love of her life, Art Schlesinger, on August 23, 1952. Jean and Art were well known and admired for their caring and passionate marriage of 73 years.
Jean graduated from Chicago South Shore High School in 1949. She attended the University of Illinois and later went on to complete a bachelor's degree from Bradley University in 1978. She was a devoted and loving homemaker and mother, but also employed occasionally as a real estate agent, an Adult Learning Center teacher, a reading tutor, an area manager for World Book, and a Welcome Wagon hostess. Jean also worked for University of Illinois Extension to start and support 4-H clubs. She volunteered as a Gray Lady in France (1954) and she was a Girl Scout Leader for seven years. Jean also enjoyed her memberships in PEO Chapter BX, the Symphony Guild, Garden Club, and several community choirs.
Jean was a spiritual person, believing that we are all children of God. Jean and Art were active members of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She sang in the choir, served as a deacon and a Sunday school teacher, and participated in adult church classes and circle meetings.
Jean was a warm, generous, compassionate, and fun-loving person. She enjoyed family time, reading, attending music and theatre events, singing, dancing, playing games, baking, gardening, boating, and animals; especially her dogs. She was a very positive person, always believing the best in people; she was a gracious host for many international students and always opened her home to friends, family, neighbors, and new acquaintances.
Most of all, Jean was a lot of fun. When you were with Jean, you were always prepared for an adventure. She was spontaneous and playful, if not always detail-oriented; sometimes when you were with Jean you might not know where you were going, when you would return, or if you would run out of gas, but you didn't care because you were with her.
Jean is survived by her husband, Arthur V. Schlesinger Jr.; daughters, Gail (Galen) Crow of Bloomington, IL and Laura (Fred) Shane of Peoria, IL; son-in-law, John Olson of Minnesota; granddaughters, Sarah (Patrick) Ward of Florida and Genevieve Crow of Montana; grandsons, Steven (Suzie) Shane of Minnesota and David (Julie McDaniel) Crow of Bloomington, IL; great grandchildren, Charlie and Grace Shane; and nephews, Greg (Phillis) Lenske and Larry Lenske (Michael Rouff).
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Joan Davis Silvia, her daughter, Linda Schlesinger, and her nephew, Jeff Lenske. She was also preceded in death by her beloved dogs: Bambi, Snowflake, Frosty, Maggie, Shep, and Rusty.
A Celebration of Life for Jean will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Peoria, with visitation an hour prior. The Rev. Tim Mitchell will officiate. A luncheon will immediately be following the celebration. Memorial donations may be given to Westminster Presbyterian Church or a charity of the donor's choosing.
Jean's Celebration of Life will be live streamed and can be accessed by the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_qU7-N0KWM