Frances Jean Parker

Frances “Jean” Parker, 78 of Lebo, Kansas passed away Sunday, February 11, 2024 at her home in Lebo.

Jean was born November 29, 1945, to Ed and Belle (Hilligas) Kellerman in Westphalia, Kansas.

Jean went to Welda Grade School through half her 5th grade year and the family then moved to Westphalia to her Grandma Kellerman’s home where she finished her 5th grade year and continued with her schooling, graduating from Westphalia High School in 1963.

Following high school, Jean went to work for the Coffey County Hospital in the janitorial department. she worked there until 1965 when she went to work for H.D. Lee Company in Ottawa.

Jean married David Buckridge September 1, 1966. They had two daughters, Shirley and Sharon. David adopted Jean’s daughter Sally. Jean and David were later divorced.

Jean later moved to Burlington and worked at the Golden Age Lodge for several years. Jean moved to Hartford and began working at Hartford Manor. She worked a few years there before going to Peterson Nursing Home in Osage City. While living in Hartford she accepted the Lord as her Savior and was baptized at the First Christian Church. She worked part time at the Nursing Home and the Assisted Living in Osage City. While working there she also worked part time for her sister Joan Hess doing janitor work at Wolf Creek Nuclear Plant in Burlington. While working at Wolf Creek she met Walter (Dick) Parker, who was a security guard there. Jean and Dick were married June 4, 1983, and they made their home in Lebo.

After moving to Lebo, she started working for Peterson Nursing Home full time and worked there 34 years before retiring. While working there she became a CNA, CMA, and a CRA. In 1993 Jean was selected as CNA of the year for the State of Kansas.

She lost her husband Dick in June of 1997 to cancer.. She enjoyed taking care of the elderly and after retirement she would care for some of the elderly in Lebo so they wouldn’t have to go to a nursing home.

Jean liked her sports. She was a big Royals, Chief’s, and KU fan. She loved watching basketball games and keeping track of the tournaments. During high school she even coached a little league boys’ team from Westphalia. They took second place in their league. She even played softball during her high school years.

She met David Lyman and he has been her companion for over twenty years. David became Jean’s caregiver after she was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. Jean was on the Iola Sisters Relay For Life Team and has been a big supporter of the Relay For Life of Allen County since 2007. She is currently Co-Captain of the team.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; husband Dick Parker; son-in Law Danny McDonald; daughters Shirley (David) Foster and Sharon Jenkins; sisters Thelma (Vincent) Hoefler, Eileen (Carl) Canfield, Dorothy Kellerman, Joan (Floyd) Hess, Ina (Loren) Railsback; brothers Lawrence (Juanita) Kellerman, Bill (Ginny) Kellerman, Carl Kellerman; brother-in-law Earl Cole; sister-in-law Harriet Kellerman. Jean is survived by her daughter Sally McDonald and companion Mitto Otiz; grandsons Nathan McDonald and his companion Misty, Dustin McDonald, William Derick Foster; granddaughters, Heather (Alex) Perkins, Sammi (Wyatt) Wright; great-granddaughters, Ariella, Aleyah, Kamya and Lillian; great -grandsons, Gunner, Maxx and Danny; sister Edna (David) Donovan; brothers, Fred Kellerman, George (Donna) Kellerman, Milo (Janice) Kellerman and Donnie Kellerman. Other survivors include, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, February 17, 2024 at the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home & Crematory

in Lebo. Burial will follow services at Lincoln Cemetery in Lebo. The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. until 7:30 P.M. Friday evening at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society (to benefit the Relay for Life, Allen County Iola Sisters). Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.