Jean Dickens

Jean Dickens, age 81, of Oquawka passed away at 10:11 pm at the Mercer County Hospital in Aledo on August 26, 2011. A visitation and funeral service is planned on Wednesday evening in Oquawka at the Turnbull Funeral Home where her family will receive friends beginning at 5:00 p.m. and until 7:00 p.m.  A funeral service then will be at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Interment will be on the following day at 10:00 a.m. at the Oquawka Cemetery. A memorial fund is established for the Mercer County Home Health Care of Aledo.  For more information please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com

 She was born on June 12, 1930 to Clifford J. and Edna M. Hays Smith.  Jean was raised on the farm in rural Mercer County and was educated in the rural schools and graduated from New Boston High School in 1948.  

Jean was married to Leslie V. Dickens on July 25, 1948 in Aledo and he preceded her in death on June 19, 2004. Jean was a homemaker and mother for her family.  She first worked in the kitchen at Community Memorial Hospital in Monmouth.  She then worked at Stott's Grocery also known as "Tom and Linda's" in Oquawka, for a time.  She also waited tables at the former "Alfreda's" restaurant in Oquawka and was the cook at the "Village Hub" restaurant, also in Oquawka.  She later was employed for a time at H & K Package Store and the Oquawka Pharmacy, both in Oquawka.

Jean was a member of the Oquawka Eagles Auxillary.  She enjoyed quilting and handwork, and playing cards with her friends.  Jean is survived by her daughter Donna (Rex) Dunn of Oquawka and two sons  Steve (Carol) Dickens of Moline, and Stan (Lore) Dickens of Buffalo, Iowa.  There are ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her sister  Bonnie (William) Leary of Monmouth. She is preceded in her death by her parents, husband, one son Danny and a brother Dale Smith.