Obituary of Jean Henry Bryant

Jean H. Bryant, 93, of Oxford, Iowa, died Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at Pleasantview Care Center in Kalona. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 16, 2010, at the Oxford United Methodist Church with the Reverends Diane Townsley and Harry Imlay officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be held at the Oxford Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Jean’s memory to the Oxford American Legion Post 537 or Iowa City Hospice. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web@www.gayandciha.com. Jean Henry Bryant was born December 27, 1916, in Louisville, Illinois, the son of Ray and Dessie (Kistner) Bryant. He served in the Army during WWII spending 2-1/2 years in the Asia/Pacific Theater. Jean married his wife, Eileen Shebetka on May 2, 1942, in Oxford. He has spent his lifetime farming in the Oxford area, and also worked as a Johnson County Deputy Sheriff for seventeen years, ending his career as head of the Civil Dept. Jean was in the 5th class to attend the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. His grandson, Chris was in the 185th class. He was a longtime member of the Oxford Methodist Church, Hardin Township Trustee, Iowa Sheriff Association and was a lifetime member of the Oxford American Legion for nearly 65 years. Jean’s life was his family, friends, his farm, and his country. In his youth, he and his twin brother, Dean were Golden Glove Boxers, routinely the last fight of the night, giving those in attendance a fight to remember! As he and Eileen began a family, there was plenty of hard work but good times too. The family enjoyed square dancing, bowling, camping, fishing, and family vacations. Family was so important and he much enjoyed attending the countless events of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Jean was one who stood proud of his military service, he was the one who adjourned many of the legion meetings; attended numerous military services for fallen comrades, and marched in many parades throughout the years. He held many Legion posts over the years, including commander and chaplain. His family includes his wife, Eileen; children, JoAnne (Dan) Downes of Oxford, Janet Whaley of Stanwood, Richard (Deb) Bryant of Oxford, Jim (Cathlene) Bryant of Parnell, Randy (Sandy) Bryant of Oxford, Janelle (David) Campbell of Oxford, Keith (Jessica) Bryant of Williamsburg; 20 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Ray Bryant of Layton, Utah. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Oscar Bryant, twin brother Dean Bryant; sisters, Leona Slagley and Dorothea McHenry, son-in-law Victor Whaley, and great-grandson Alex Myers. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Jean’s family and his services.