Jean Marie Edley June 25, 1935 - April 25, 2025

Jean Marie Edley, age 89 passed away Friday, April 25, 2025. She was born on June 25, 1935, in Chestnutridge, Missouri, the daughter of Leslie and Daisy (Barnett) Keltner.

In 1952 Jean hitched a ride with the Chestnutridge Feed Truck to the big city of Springfield to enroll at the Baptist Hospital School of Nursing. In 1955 Jean graduated from nursing school and happened to run into an old high school friend: JT Edley at the “old” Gateway Café in Spokane. On November 22, 1956, Jean and JT were united in marriage and started a life together that would continue for 48 years until JT passed away on October 28, 2004.

Their life together was filled with mutual support of each other’s endeavors. During the early years Jean, “held the fort down” as JT built and grew Edley Construction, doing deep ditch water and sewer lines. After JT’s retirement Jean returned to nursing. First a school nurse for the Spokane School District and transitioning to work with the Christian County Health Department where she was appointed as director. People that knew Jean described her as funny, wise, supportive, innovative, stubborn but big hearted.

During Jean’s time at the Christian County Health Department, she touched many lives and was instrumental in implementing numerous health programs for the betterment of Christian County. Among these accomplishments include bringing the Women’s, Infant and Children’s Nutrition Program (WIC) to Christian County, implementing the first home visitation program in the State, construction of the Christian County Health Department with an updated modern design, expanding vaccination programs with locations throughout the county. In 1997 Jean retired from Christian County Health Department and began another phase of her life as caregiver, grandmother, great-grandmother, quilter, crafter, Mexican train Dominoe champ and was always ready for a fun time with friends and family at a moments notice.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband JT Edley, her parents Leslie and Daisy Keltner, brother Sidney; sisters and their spouses Alice and Jerry Forrester and Annalee and Robert Grady; her in-laws Tolbert and Sarah Edley; sisters-in-law Thelma Edley and Helen Maples.

Jean is lovingly survived by her two daughters Jayne Thompson and husband Frank and Jennifer Edley; son John Edley and his partner Rebecca Tate; grandchildren Christopher and Carly Gallion, Lisa and Travis Marshall, Sara and Rich Cline, Tara Thompson, Tyler and Vicki Thompson, Zachery Harter, Jonathan Harter, Matt and Shea Tate, Amanda and Ryan Bonzer; great-grandchildren Harry, Charlie and Roselie Gallion, Elliott and Bentley Marshall, Colton Cline, Ian Thompson, Everett Tate, Hudson and London Bonzer; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Graveside Funeral Services for Jean will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, May 2, 2025, at Spokane Cemetery, Spokane, Missouri. Friends may call 12:00 to 4:00 P.M. Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark. Arrangements under the care and direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark. Online condolences may be shared at www.barnesfamilyfunerals.com. Memorial donations in Jean’s honor may be made to Spokane Cemetery Fund, 1236 Sassafras Road, Spokane, Missouri 65754 or Christian County Health Department, 301 East Brick Street, Ozark, Missouri 65721.