April 29,1949-March 14, 2022
Jean Halene Ledger was born April 26, 1949, at Murphy Memorial Hospital in Whittier, California, to Harold I Shaffer and Ruth E Shaffer (Davis). The Lord called her home on March 14, 2022, at 3:47pm. Her passing was very peaceful at home, with her husband Mike, daughter Michelle and son Aaron and his wife Stacey by her side. She grew up with two brothers, David, and Paul Shaffer. Both were able to visit with her in her last days.
Jean grew up in Brea, California, and graduated from Brea-Olinda Union High School in 1967. She received several awards from the Junior Achievement program and was thinking about a career in clothing design.
I (husband) met Jean through my cousin, Cathy Kennedy, who attended the same High School. I asked my cousin if she knew anyone who wanted to write as a pen pal. At the time, 1966, I was serving in the US Navy aboard a destroyer (USS Collett DD730). My ship was engaged in combat off the coast of North and South Vietnam. Several weeks later, I received a letter from Jean with her photo. We wrote for two years until I came home in August 1968. Reflecting upon that first meeting, it was like we had known each other for a long time. Her parents were very warm and cordial and welcomed me into their home. We dated for a year and married on Aug. 31, 1969.
In 1972, Jean started work as a telephone operator for Pacific Bell. She held several positions in the company: service representative, billing and collections, phone store representative and retired as a communications technician in 2007, after 35 years.
Our first child was stillborn at 5 months in 1972. We went on to have two children, Aaron T Ledger and Michelle S Ledger.
We moved to Washington, Utah, in 2013 and found South Mountain Community Church the same year. It has become our home. Jean volunteered in the St. George Soup Kitchen, The Hope Chest Thrift Store, served as a greeter at the church and worked at the church store.
I am so thankful to God for 52 years of marriage to Jean. She was a remarkable woman devoted to her family and friends, so patient, kind, loving. Though she is gone from my sight now, I know she is with the Lord and have no doubt he told her, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Jean’s online guest book.