Jean Wood Sheldon was born February 1, 1922, to Joe and Audra Wood near Iconium, Missouri. She passed away April 11, 2020, at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton from complications arising after hip surgery.
Jean was the oldest of Joe and Audra’s three children, with Elaine (Jane) and Jack coming soon after Jean. Jean grew up in the Iconium area, except for a short time that the family lived near Odessa, Missouri, and attended elementary school at Liberty. After elementary school, her father, Joe, arranged for and drove the first bus from the Iconium area so that Jean and other Iconium area students could attend Osceola High School, from which she received her high school diploma.
While attending high school, she met her future husband, Charles E. Sheldon. They were married May 15, 1941. After they were married, Charles was drafted into the Army during World War II. During this period, Jean lived with her parents and taught school at Bear Creek. While continuing to teach at Bear Creek, she used her earnings and monthly Army stipend to buy a home just two doors east of what is now the Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home. After the War, Charles and Jean lived in this home until they built a home on Congress Hill in Osceola. Charles and Jean lived in their Congress Hill home until his passing in September 2014. After his passing, a good friend, Eleanor Ratliff, stayed with Jean, allowing her to stay in her home until entering Truman Lake Manor nursing home in Lowry City, in September 2018.
After the war, Charles and Jean welcomed three children: Charles Randolph, Candice Jo, and Kimma Jean, each of whom they were very proud. During their school years, Jean was an active supporter of PTA and various school organizations and attended all her children’s school activities and functions, and Charles was on the Osceola School Board for 25 years. Charles and Jean assisted and supported each of their children in attending college to attain graduate and postgraduate degrees.
In 1966, Charles and Jean became insurance agents for the St. Clair County Farmers Mutual Insurance and Cameron Mutual Insurance, with their agency office located in Osceola. Charles and Jean worked as a team in operating their agency until they retired in 2000, when they sold the agency to their grandson Sean. Charles and Jean were proud that their Cameron Agency was at one time the largest producer for Cameron Mutual in rural Western Missouri.
Charles and Jean were avid bridge players and either hosted or attended duplicate bridge parties at least one night a week, again playing as a team. Jean also hosted or played bridge with her “bridge girls” at least one afternoon a week. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed hosting dinner parties for friends and Sunday and holiday gatherings for family. She was an avid quilter who made quilts for all of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many others. She enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, which she pieced together while watching the daily news programs.
As a young girl, Jean had an experience of salvation by grace. She told that she had been spiritually bothered for a time, even asking her Dad “what is wrong with me?”, until one day when walking home from helping at the neighbors’ house, she experienced a “light and airy feeling” as the peace of salvation entered her heart. After moving to Osceola, she was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church until it was disbanded.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; her parents, Joe and Audra Wood; brother, Jack Wood; sister, Elaine Mitchell; daughter-in-law, Debbie Sheldon; grandson, Sean Sheldon; and great-grandson, Riley Baker.
Jean is survived by her son, Randy, of Osceola, Missouri; daughter Candice Baker and husband, J. D., of Osceola, Missouri; and daughter Kimma Old and husband, Jerry, of Overland Park, Kansas; grandsons Ryan Sheldon; Rodney Sheldon and wife, Amanda; Brandon Baker and wife, Renée; Blane Baker and wife, Emily, Brent Evans and wife, Rachel; grand daughter-in-law Lana Sheldon; great-grandchildren Lolly Sheldon, Tegin Sheldon, Jackson Baker, Jesse Baker, Jamie Baker, Reese Baker; Macy Evans, Casady Evans, and Logan Evans; sister-in-law Maxine Wood; and many cousins, nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends.
Jean will be missed by her family and all who knew her, but we are grateful that she will now rejoin her husband, mother, father, daughter-in-law, grandson, great-grandson, and other loved ones in Heaven.
Condolences(16)-
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Sharon (Kauffman) Manley says
April 13, 2020 at 1:40 pmRandy sorry for your loss!
Dellinger Dan says
April 13, 2020 at 2:00 pmDear Randy, Candy , and Kim:
I will never forget and will always appreciate how much your mother did for our family during our years there in Osceola Missouri. Her kindness and acceptance were never forgotten. We are praying for each of you as you celebrate the life of your mother. Dan, Michelle, Becca, Rachel
Linda Cox rABON says
April 13, 2020 at 2:04 pmSending my condolences and sympathy to the family for the loss of Jean. She and my mother, Marie Souther, were very close cousins who grew up together in Iconium, and stayed close throughout their life. Jean was always very sweet to me. I’m sorry I am unable to attend the services, as I now live in NJ. Linda Cox Rabon
Linda Jackson says
April 13, 2020 at 3:06 pmI am so sorry to hear of your mothers passing. Bless her heart. She was quite a beautiful lady.
Wayne Scott says
April 14, 2020 at 7:40 amRandy Very sorry to hear of your mothers passing
Sue Krider Greenway says
April 14, 2020 at 4:09 pmRandy, Candy and Kim. Your mother was the epitome of a classy lady. She was always beautifully dressed and groomed. She was always very kind and friendly to me. Jean and Charles were “Ward and June Cleaver” in my eyes.
She left you much to be proud of. I know without a doubt how proud she was of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
It’s never easy to let go but may it be comforting to know she is rejoicing today with her loved ones who went before her.
Ross and Brenda Chambers says
April 15, 2020 at 8:28 amRoss and I are sending thoughts and prayers to the Sheldon family at this very difficult time.
Stanley and Marjorie Gardner says
April 15, 2020 at 8:50 amRandy, Candy, and Kim—Stan and I were saddened by the news of this beautiful lady’s passing. Jean’s grace and charm brought love and admiration from all who knew her. I know you will miss her but be blessed with such good memories every day.
Stan and Marjorie Gardner
Joann Whiting says
April 15, 2020 at 10:10 amRandy, Candy and Kim. I loved to play bridge with your Mom! Always a challenge. Your Mom introduced Bob and I. What a wonderful blessing. Randy, you were so kind to me and my family when Bob passed. Candy, she told me many times that you took such loving care of her. Kim, I didn’t see you through the years, but your Mom loaned me puzzles you brought to her. Thank you for sharing Jean!! My prayers and love to you all.
Betty Moore Wiles says
April 15, 2020 at 4:30 pmRandy and Family,
I am saddened to hear,
the passing of your mother.
Sending Love and Sympathy.
God Bless and Comfort each
of you.
Mark Parks says
April 16, 2020 at 7:54 amRandy, Candy and Kim,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this very difficult time. You are all very fortunate to have had your mom with you for so many years. You have so many wonderful times and memories to share. Although we can’t make it due to the state shut down orders we will be thinking about all of you.
Mark and Janie Parks
Larry and Donna Lutes says
April 16, 2020 at 7:57 amTo the entire Sheldon Family: We are so sorry for your loss and especially at this time when it is not practical to gather and celebrate Jean’s life. She was such a fine and gracious lady to all she came in contact with. Our prayers are with each of you at this time. May God bless you!
Joe & Doris Norval says
April 16, 2020 at 4:25 pmRandy, Joe & I have been very sick with this Virus, so sorry to hear about Jean, didn’t know until now. we loved her very much.Please give our love to JD & Candy.
Diana Ripperger says
April 18, 2020 at 2:35 pmRandy so sorry for your loss
June wallace-Martin says
April 21, 2020 at 10:23 amRandy and Candy so sorry for the loss of your dear mother. She was a lady of Osceola. Always smiling and having a good word for anyone. You all are the “older generation” now.
Emalue Burks says
April 22, 2020 at 5:43 pmRandy, Candy and Kim I am so sorry for your loss. I always had a special place in my heart for your mom and dad. She had a full and happy life and was so proud of you all.
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