June 21, 2016

Jean passed away peacefully at her home on June 20 at the age of 89. She was born Oct. 26, 1926, to Willie and Ethel Lindsey at their home in Miami County. 

She is survived by her children, Vaughn Allen (wife Nancy) of Western Springs, Ill., Jim Allen of Pleasanton, Kan., Mitzi Allen Coe (husband Patrick) of Warrenville, Ill., and Cheri Allen Dunlop (husband Chuck) of Parker, Kan., and daughter-in-law, Brenda Allen of Paola, Kan. Jean and Ward had 20 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ward; son Bill; and brothers Jack, Vaughn and Glen Lindsey. 

She was engaged in farming first with her parents and later with Ward. She and Ward managed a Purina feed store (Farmers Produce) from 1946 to 1960 and a Massey Ferguson dealership in the early ‘60s. In addition, she took several other jobs to help take care of the family. 

Later in life, she and Ward enjoyed meeting new friends in camping clubs and joining them for outings throughout the Midwest.

Jean was a dedicated and spirited community member. She and Ward organized and opened the La Cygne Senior Center in 1979. It was a place for people over 50 to coalesce over card games, food or just simple conversation. In addition, she was a member of many groups including the La Cygne Park Board, the Township Board and the Historical Society. She served as co-founder of the La Cygne Nutrition Center and president of the Over-50 Club.

Though Jean enjoyed area churches and visited all regularly, she was baptized at the Calvary Baptist Church and in her early years at the Jingo Methodist Church. “Preach the gospel at all times; use words if necessary” are words of Francis of Assisi. Jean didn’t use words much to describe her Christian life, but no one demonstrated a more giving life than Jean. She did this through generous care to others. She was available almost literally to anyone … anytime for anything – a drive to doctor, a trip to a family member or lunch at McDonald’s. She was particularly sensitive to the elderly. There are few people in La Cygne and surrounding areas who don’t have a story about Jean’s extraordinary assistance at some point in their life. She loved and enjoyed her family - immediate, in-laws, distant … it didn’t matter to her. Once you were in her circle, you were there for life. 

In her teen years, she had a disagreement with her mother. She didn’t want to go to school. Like any caring parent, her mother asked, “What do you think you will do with your life without school?” Jean said, “I’ll be a truck driver.” And though this probably seemed flippant at the time, during her life, Jean “trucked” more people more places than anyone. 

She served as grand marshal of the 2010 Fiesta of La Cygne and won the best community volunteer award in 2014 in recognition of her service to others. 

Jean loved to tell funny stories, laugh and sing. She will be sorely missed by family, friends and people county-wide.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, June 26, 2016, at the Calvary Baptist Church. Services will be held on Monday, June 27, at 10 a.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church, La Cygne. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Calvary Baptist Church of La Cygne or the Catholic Community Hospice, https://www.catholiccharitiesks.org/hospice. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. Arrangements: Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel.