Jean Ferguson

Jean
Ferguson

1919
– 2009

     Mary Maxine “Jean”  Ferguson, 89, of Hamilton, IL died Thursday,
April 23, 2009 at her home.

     She was born on August 15, 1919 in
Canton, MO, the daughter of Henry and Nora Pierce Ward.  She married Orville McKeown on September 4,
1938 in Kahoka, MO.    On August 4,
1949, Jean was united in marriage to Paul Ferguson in Canton, MO.  He preceded her in death in March of 1996.

     Jean began working at the age of 16 at
Flora Thumb’s Restaurant in Niota, IL. 
She then worked at the Ordnance Plant in Middletown, IA and also at
Kavanaugh’s gas station in Alexandria, MO. 
 She and her husband Paul farmed
together and also owned and operated Ferguson’s Market in Wayland, MO. 

     She was a member of the First Baptist
Church in Wayland, MO.

     Jean enjoyed sewing, cooking, watching
racing, reading the Bible, going for rides in the car and going out to
eat.  She was a devoted mother and
grandmother and loved spending time with her family.  Her grandchildren were her pride and joy.

     She is survived by her daughter, Gwyn
Jones of  Hamilton, IL, two
grandchildren, Angela Walker and her husband Robert of Burlington, IA, and Amy
Walte and her husband Jeff of Keokuk, four step-grandchildren, Gerald James and
his wife Kathy of Sutter, IL, Susan Glandon and her husband Doug of Alabama,
Roma Jenkins and her husband Jon of Ft. Dodge, IA, and Stanley Hart of Ft.
Dodge, IA, five great-grandchildren, Stephanie & Evan Walker, Caitlyn,
Justin and Camryn Walte, five step-great-grandchildren, Erin & Mark James,
Cara Cathcart, Katie & John Jenkins, and three
step-great-great-grandchildren, Aiden, August & Ashland Osborne, a
brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Bertha Mae Glenn of Louisville, KY
and several nieces and nephews.

     She was also preceded in death by her
son, Gary McKeown, five brothers and six sisters.

     Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m.,
Tuesday at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA with Pastor Dan Deatrick
officiating.  Burial will be in the
Keokuk National Cemetery.

     Visitation will be held on Tuesday at the
funeral home from 9 a.m. until time of service with the family meeting with
friends at that time.

    Memorials may be made to the First Baptist
Church of Wayland, MO.

     On-line condolences may be sent to the
family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com.