Meet your neighbor Jean Stone. She will celebrate her 80th birthday Sunday. No invitations are being sent but she is hoping everyone will stop by the Stronghurst United Methodist Church and share some stories.
Jean was born in 1925 on her grandparents John and Jessie Dixon's farm outside of Carman. She grew up in Carman with an older sister Jackie, who passed away at age 13 of pneumonia in 1936. Jean was ten. Her parents Frank and Mona Marsden, lived in Carman and attended all 8 grades at the Carman school. She attended Stronghurst High graduating in 1943.
She worked in a glove factory in Burlington, Iowa and married her WWII Army sweetheart, Richard Stone of Carman, in 1944. She lived with her parents, who had moved to Stronghurst, until "Dick" came home from the service in January 1946. They remodeled the Carman homestead and he worked on a farm for James Johnson. In 1948 Dick joined Jean's dad in the welding business. In 1955 he moved to Stronghurst and built their present home after he took over the welding shop. Jean worked at the Hamilton-Miller -grocery, for Doc Prendergast- veterinarian, Chuck Jacob-hardware, and at Stronghurst Grain & Mdse. Co. where she retired after 23 years in 1990.
Jean's husband had been Mayor of Stronghurst over 20 years. He passed away in October 2001. He, along with Jean was an active member of the United Methodist Church. She is a member of the Oasis Rebekah Lodge in Blandinsville, and has volunteered at Oak Lane Nursing home.
Dick was a lifelong member of the American Legion.
They have no children but Jean has always been supportive of the kids in the community.
She enjoys her wonderful collection of Hummels and of lighthouses and has gifted many friends and family with them. Jean is truly a good neighbor. Stop by Sunday and wish her a happy 80th birthday.