Jean Proffitt

Return to Class of 1940

Jean Proffitt11/08/1977
Name: Jean Ardell (Proffitt) Courtney
Birth: 13 Oct 1922
Death: 08 Nov 1977 Pleasantville, Marion, Iowa

Spouse: Jay D. Courtney
Marriage: 09 Dec 1944 Nashua, Chickasaw, Iowa

Father: Williard P Proffitt
Mother: Leona Clelland

Jean Ardell Courtney, daughter of Willard Paul and Leona Cleland Proffitt, was born on Oct. 13, 1922 at Des Moines, Iowa. She passed away suddenly on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 1977 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, having reached the age of 55 years and 26 days.

Jean attended the public schools in Pleasantville and was a member of the graduating class of 1940 of Knoxville High School.

She found employment in various places in and around Knoxville and Pleasantville area. On Dec. 9, 1944, she was united in marriage to Jay D. Courtney in the “Little Brown Church in the Vale” at Nashua, Iowa.

Jean was Naïve in the American Legion Auxiliary where she held many offices, including that president; the Pleasantville Fire Department Auxiliary; the daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War (Tent #38); and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Knoxville.

She was preceded in death by two infant sons, Jerry Dean and Robert Lee, as well as her parents; her mother just preceding her on June 24th of this year.

Mourning her death are her husband, Jay, of Pleasantville; one brother, Rodney Cleland Proffitt and his wife, Mary Lee of Anacortes Washington; one sister, Shirley and her husband, Seward Cross of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; three nieces, one nephew; one great nephew and one uncle, Howard Proffitt of Des Moines, besides other relatives and a great host of friends.

Memorial services were held Friday, Nov. 11, at the Mason Funeral Home, with Dr. Leonard E; Deaver Officiating. Mildred Brooks provided organ music.

Casketbearers, members of the Pleasantville Fire Department were Charles Fisher, Ron Schumann, Dean Reeves, Jim West. 0. J. Spalti, and Bob Mix. Interment was in Pleasantville Cemetery.