Jean D. (Barrows) Stutzman

Jean Dolores Stutzman 1918 - 2013 Jean D. Stutzman, our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on April 11, 2013, at the wonderful age of 94. She was born on May 15, 1918, in Mishawaka, Indiana, and was the first of two children born to Effie and Frederick E. Barrows. Jean, an avid Norte Dame fan, was raised in South Bend, Indiana, and graduated from James Whitcomb Riley High School in 1936 and went on to attend secretarial school. In the summer of 1936

Jean met the love of her life, James A. Stutzman, on a blind date arranged by mutual friends. Jim was in Indiana that summer visiting his grandparents and cousins. They were engaged shortly after they met and were married on August 22, 1942 in South Bend, Indiana, after Jim finished college and went into the Army Air Corps.

When Jim was based in England during World War 11, Jean moved to Bakersfield to be close to the Stutzman family; upon his return in 1945 they made Bakersfield their permanent home. Jean stayed home raising their 3 children until she went back to work in 1958 for Bakersfield High School as the Industrial Arts Department secretary. She moved into the Administrative Offices several years later as secretary to the assistant principal and eventually became the school secretary to 3 different principals. Although she did not graduate from BHS, she retired as a "Driller" in 1977.

Jean studied piano and organ as a very young girl and became an accomplished musician in her early years studying music in Chicago. From 1936 until 1941 she served as the rehearsal pianist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She continued playing both piano and organ for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in her later years. Jean was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church for 71 years where she was very active as a Sunday school teacher, a Bible study teacher, and a member of the Senior Center. She also volunteered for the Guild House after her retirement.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband Jim in 2007 after 65 loving years of marriage.

She is survived by her three children and their spouses: Nancy and Mack Phillips of Bakersfield, CA; Jim and Susan Stutzman of Lewiston, ID; Barbara and Steve Castle of Clackamas, OR; and her brother-in-law and his wife, Carl and Mary Stutzman of Fresno, CA; her 6 grandchildren: Todd (Nicole) Phillips; William (Cherise) Stutzman; Tamara (Kevin) Ledgerwood; Brian (Heather Collins) Castle; Aimee Castle; and Scott (Melody) Castle. Jean was also blessed with 9 great-grandchildren: Madeline Phillips; Tyndale, Dulci, and Latimer Stutzman; Claire and Adam Ledgerwood; Heidi and Taryn Gehrke; and Liam Castle.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, April 26th, at 3:00 pm at Greenlawn Memorial Park. A Celebration of Jean's life and memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 4600 Stockdale Hwy., Bakersfield, CA on Saturday, April 27th, at 2:00 pm. Donations in Jean's honor may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Bakersfield Rescue Mission, and Bakersfield Homeless Shelter/Bethany Service. "Mom was a wonderful inspiration to all in her unwavering faith, her overwhelming kindness, and her deep and abiding love. May the lives that she lovingly touched in her time here be blessed forever." www.bakersfield.com/obits

Published by Bakersfield Californian on Apr. 23, 2013.

08/13/2023 EJS

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/bakersfield/name/jean-stutzman-obituary?id=18554947