Jean Marie Patton Troyer was born north of Agra, Kansas, in Crystal Township of Phillips County on June 3, 1927 to James V. and Leda C. (Morgan) Patton. She departed this life for her eternal home on February 9, 2014.
Jean grew up in Phillipsburg, attended grade school there and graduated with the Phillipsburg High School Class of 1945.
As a child, Jean came to understand the finished work of Jesus Christ, completed on her behalf and placed her faith in this Savior. Her faith continued to grow throughout her life as she joined weekly with a local body of believer's. The majority of her life she worshipped with believer's at Calvary Baptist Church in Phillipsburg hearing the Word taught and preached. Some of those years, she also taught children's classes in her church.
After high school Jean worked for awhile at the local gas company. She married Duane R. "Trig" Troyer on August 8, 1947. They resided in Phillipsburg until 1951, when they acquired some land and began their farming/ ranching operation southwest of Glade. Jean transitioned from a "city" girl to a rancher's wife and mother as they moved from Phillipsburg to rural Glade with their first son, Ronald. They became the parents of four more sons: Scott, Joel, Bryan and Corey.
Jean so loved the years during which her five sons were growing up and worked diligently to keep them clothed, fed, nurtured, disciplined and as much as possible out of mischief. Reminiscing of their growing up years, the boys often revealed stories of their escapades. Their Mom often exclaimed with surprise, "I never knew that!"
God gifted Jean with a beautiful singing voice which could be heard harmonizing with voices at church, crooning lullabies to her babies and grandbabies, and often vocalizing peppy renditions as she completed outdoor chores or mundane household tasks. She so missed singing when Parkinson's disease robbed her of the ability, but she usually had her foot tapping to the music nevertheless.
In 1988, Jean and Trig retired from fulltime ranching and relocated back to Phillipsburg. Jean enjoyed their new home and found time for volunteer work at the city library and the hospital. She was a dedicated wife and cared lovingly for Trig throughout his battle with cancer. He passed away March 16, 1999. Jean and Trig shared their love and commitment to each other in over 51 years of marriage.
Jean continued on and immensely enjoyed her ever growing family. Highlights for her were the many family get-togethers and all of the stories, games and laughter that ensued.
In February of 2012, Jean made the decision to move to an apartment at Prairie Wind Villa in Phillipsburg. She adjusted well to her new surroundings and enjoyed establishing new friendships, and rekindled some old. She continued to embrace life even though some diagnoses were a bit discouraging.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband, parents, her in-laws Thomas and Iva Troyer, two step mothers-in-law Retta Troyer and Etta Troyer, a sister-in-law Ella Mae "Mickey" Patton, a sister-in-law Wanda Troyer Michel and her husband John Michel, and one granddaughter Holly Troyer.
Jean leaves her great legacy of love and faith in Jesus Christ to the following family:
Her five sons and their wives- Ron and Judy Troyer of Castle Rock, CO, Scott and Jan Troyer of McKinney, TX, Joel and Carol Troyer of Goddard, KS, Bryan and Kristi Troyer of Glade, KS and Corey and Diane Troyer of Kearney, NE.
Her 18 grandchildren-April (Jon) Jefferson, Matthew Troyer, Jill (Jake) Burbridge, Cheyenne Troyer, Tate (Stephanie) Troyer, Travis (Kara) Troyer, Jenny(Adam) Simon, Mason Troyer, Reed Troyer, Preston Troyer, Jordan (Beth) Troyer, Tyson (Megan) Troyer, Tessha (Josias) Mendoza, Tristin Troyer, Chelsy Troyer, Kaylee Troyer, Tyler Troyer, and Melissa Troyer.
Her 24 great-grandchildren-Kayla, Alex, Dylan, Madison, Austin. Phoenix, Hailey, Olivia, Blake, Hannah, Brinkley, Allyson, Natalie, Ian, Ellie, Bohdy, Jack, Trig, Blaise, Titan, Bo, Cambridge, Kellen and Nat.
Also surviving are Jean's brother James J. Patton of Wichita, KS, five nephews, one niece, several great- nieces and great-nephews, and a host of other family and friends, as well as her church family and her Prairie Wind Villa family.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 15, at 10:30 a.m. in the Calvary Baptist Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Mark Gervais officiating. Burial will follow in the Marvin Cemetery, Glade, KS.
Visitation will be Thurs. from noon – 9 p.m. and Fri. from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.
Memorials may be given to the Calvary Baptist Church or Hospice Services.