On November 13, 2024 Jean departed to be with the Lord at the Comfort House in Pella, Iowa.  Jean was the daughter of Paul Creston Ackley Sr and Doris Raymond Ackley. She was born on September 19, 1933 in Chariton, Iowa.

As a young child her family lived in Clinton, Iowa before moving to Marshalltown, Iowa. Later her family settled on a farm near Ferguson, Iowa where she graduated from high school.  She attended the N.W. Missouri State University, then graduated from Drake University with a degree in music and education.

She taught school in Castana, Iowa and Perry, Iowa before moving to Monroe, Iowa where she taught for 32 years. After retiring she moved to Belize, Central America where she did missionary work in the prison for 13 1/2 years. There she taught educational classes and Bible study. The last 6 years there she was the director of a Christian faith based rehabilitation program called Inner Change for Freedom Belize.  She was affiliated with Prison Fellowship USA and Prison Fellowship International. She was awarded the "Shining Star" for her endeavors in working with inmates by Chuck Colson of Prison Fellowship USA.

Jean served on the Monroe City Council for nearly 10 years. She took pride in serving her community in that way. Jean enjoyed music very much and directed Church Choirs and Handbell Choirs. She was a member of Living Word Fellowship in Knoxville, Iowa.  Jean loved her children and enjoyed the time she could spend with them. She enjoyed gardening and canning, especially making salsa for her grandchildren. She also enjoyed teaching piano to her great grandchildren.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Paul Creston Ackley Jr. and son in law Gerald Leffler. Left to honor her memory are her daughters, Vicki Pierce of Madisonville, Ky and Cresty Leffler of Monroe,Ia. Her grandchildren Andrea Pierce, Crestonnie Pierce, Joshua Pierce, Lindsey O'Dell and husband Craig, Creston Nolin, Eddie Leffler and wife Amber. Eleven great grandchildren, a niece and nephew and many friends.

Private family graveside services will be held at the Ottumwa Cemetery. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com