Jean Theone Shappell Eastman
Thu, 06/19/2014 - 6:00am
News Staff
Jean Theone Shappell Eastman passed away on June 8. She was born July 27, 1919, in Sutherland, Neb., where she lived through middle school. Jean attended high school in Big Spring, Neb., where she was a cheerleader, played softball, basketball and played the trombone in the band. After high school Jean attended beauty school in Denver. After graduating beauty school she accepted an offer working at the La Veta Hotel beauty and barber shop in Gunnison. In 1939, Jean met Frank Summers Eastman while he was working at the Gunnison Bank and Trust. Jean and Frank were married May 14, 1940, in Cheyenne Wyo. On Sept, 23, 1941 Jean gave birth to their first child Francean. Ten years later, Jean was blessed with her second child, a son, born Oct. 11, 1951, and named him after his father, Frank Bryant Eastman. From 1960 to 1964 Jean and family called Raton, N.M., home. Jean was a member of the “Every Other Wednesday Coffee Club.” Frank was then asked to help build the new National Bank of Delta so the family moved back to Colorado. In 1965 Jean was diagnosed with breast cancer and survived for 49 years, making her one of the longest breast cancer survivors. In 1971 Frank asked Jean to move to Ft. Lupton, Colo., where he was VP for the Ft. Lupton State Bank. Frank passed away Feb. 27, 1980. Jean continued to live in Fort Lupton, and to work as the first senior citizen coordinator for Fort Lupton for 11 years. In 2000 she made her final move, with her dog Rosie, to Delaware, Ohio, to be closer to family. Jean lived a very full life and was dedicated to helping senior citizens and her community. Jean was a member of The Order of Eastern Star for 50 years and held many offices. Jean loved to travel and once said, “If someone says, ‘go,’ I will pack my bags and go!” Jean is preceded in death by her mother Marley Fay Shappell and father Ruffie Irwin Shappell; two sisters, Mildred Shappell and Velma Preissler; three brothers Merle, Earl and Max Shappell; husband Frank S. Eastman; daughter Francean Foley; and great granddaughter Hayley Foley. Jean is survived by her son Frank B. (Rebecca Bradner) Eastman; grandchildren Jamie Eastman and Frank M. Eastman of Ohio, Merle Eugene (Sheila) Foley of Texas, Christean (J. Christopher) Grauel of Indiana, Collean Theone Foley of New Mexico; and granddaughter-in-law Unju Park of Colorado. Her great grandchildren are Carlean Foley of Colorado, Leigha Foley of Texas, Nikki Foley of Colorado, Clayton Grauel of Florida, and Mandi Foley of Texas. Jean’s family will think of her in heaven wearing a red party dress, eating licorice, drinking margaritas, playing bridge and watching the Broncos! As a celebration of her life, and to honor her memory, Jean’s family asks that you share a meal of “Tater-Tot Casserole” with your family as Jean truly enjoyed her time most when with family and friends.
