Jean Gibson, 88, of Highland, died early Thursday morning, October 12, 2017, at Mission Village Living Center in Horton.

She was born at St. Joseph, Missouri, September 26, 1929, one of three children born to Lloyd Francis and Margaret Mclaren Dawson. Her parents and her were one of the first cars to cross the new Missouri River bridge (at that time), connecting Missouri and Kansas. Jean had lived nearly all of her life in the Sparks/Highland area. She attended Sparks schools where she graduated high school; graduated from Highland Junior College; and Northwest Missouri State University, where she received her Masters’ Degree. She worked as an executive secretary most of her working life, first for Highland College, Anchor Serum (now Boehringer-Ingelheim), and Vatteroff College, both in St. Joseph, before retiring.

Jean was a member of Highland United Methodist-Presbyterian Church; also a member of the Order of Eastern Star. She loved being involved with Highland PRIDE and volunteering with the Highland Food Pantry. Jean was instrumental in starting and maintaining the Highland Memorial Day program, which is very well attended each year. She loved to cook and wrote articles for the Horton Headlight, and on occasion St. Joseph Newpress. Above all, she loved her family and community.

She married Charles William “Bill” Gibson, January 25, 1947, at Troy. They made Highland their home nearly all of their married lived until moving to Horton to assisted living center in recent years.. He died December 4, 2013.

Survivors include her children: Terry Gibson (Doris) of Highland, Kevin Gibson of Kansas City, KS, Chris Gibson (Trish), also of Highland; a brother Lloyd Dawson, Jr., of Highland; a sister Joan Bryan of St. Joseph, MO; 9 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Jean was also preceded in death by her parents; and a great-grandson Josh Torkelson.

The family will meet with friends a half hour prior to services at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 16, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Highland. Sam Blythe will officiate. Family inurnment will follow at Highland Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Highland PRIDE, sent in care of the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, PO Box 33, Highland 66035.