Long time resident of Bellecenter and Belleville Missouri passed away October 3rd, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. Betty Jean was born October 25th, 1928 to Carl and Birdie Kieslich at home in Bellecenter. She was the eldest of 4 children, Carl Richard and Marlene Kieslich, Mary Catherine and John Kekec, and Charles and Karen Kieslich. She helped care for them like they were her own. She met the love of her life on her 15th birthday, Clifford Lee “Cedar” Starchman. They were married on April 27th 1944 in Joplin. They moved to Belleville to the Holler to start their family, they had 3 children, Clifford Lee “Pete” Jr., Janie and Judy.
In 1956 Betty Jean went to work at the original St. John’s Hospital on 24th and Jackson, and then later move with them to 26th and Maiden Lane in Joplin. She worked 18 years in the maternity ward caring for babies and new mothers from all over the 4 states area including some of her very own grandchildren. In 1976 she retired to be a full time grandmother.
During her retirement Betty Jean and Cedar enjoyed dancing, riding horses, gardening, going to friends and neighbors house for musical gatherings, and cooking for her family. She has 8 grandkids, Tammy, Todd, Karla, Richard, Jeremy, Jeremy Dean, Stephanie, and Kelly.
In 1987 she married Walt Lett and moved to Joplin.
In 2001 Betty Jean was diagnosed with a rare auto immune disease, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP). She faced this like she did with everything in her life, very strong and with a great deal of determination. Even though this disease took her ability to walk and get around it never damped her sprit. She always had a smile on her face, a song in her heart and a story to share.
Betty Jean live a full life filled with love and laughter. She leaves behind a large living legacy of her love and devotion to her family. Her Children, Clifford Lee “Pete” Jr. and Patty Starchman, Janie and Steve Smith, Judy and John Madison, their Children, Tammy and George Bevins, Todd Endicott, Karla Dickson, Richard and Stacey Starchman, Stephanie and David Stapleton Jr., and Kelly and Jason Wells, 10 Great-Grandchildren, 1 Great-Great Grandchild, 50 nieces and nephews and numerous Great-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Carl Kieslich and Birdie Kieslich Bloyed, her husband Clifford Lee “Cedar” Starchman, 2 grandsons, Jeremy Doty and Jeremy King.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude for all the doctors, nurses, aides and staff that have cared for Betty over the last 15 years, from St. Johns, Freeman, and Home Health, especially Dr. Dagen and Dr. Bettasso who she thought so much of.
Funeral services are planned for Friday, October 7, at 11:00 a.m. at Parker Mortuary with family to receive friends starting at 10:00 a.m. up to service time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution can be made to Parker Mortuary to help family with marker.
Betty Jean wanted her life to be celebrated and not to be a sad affair.
In 1956 Betty Jean went to work at the original St. John’s Hospital on 24th and Jackson, and then later move with them to 26th and Maiden Lane in Joplin. She worked 18 years in the maternity ward caring for babies and new mothers from all over the 4 states area including some of her very own grandchildren. In 1976 she retired to be a full time grandmother.
During her retirement Betty Jean and Cedar enjoyed dancing, riding horses, gardening, going to friends and neighbors house for musical gatherings, and cooking for her family. She has 8 grandkids, Tammy, Todd, Karla, Richard, Jeremy, Jeremy Dean, Stephanie, and Kelly.
In 1987 she married Walt Lett and moved to Joplin.
In 2001 Betty Jean was diagnosed with a rare auto immune disease, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP). She faced this like she did with everything in her life, very strong and with a great deal of determination. Even though this disease took her ability to walk and get around it never damped her sprit. She always had a smile on her face, a song in her heart and a story to share.
Betty Jean live a full life filled with love and laughter. She leaves behind a large living legacy of her love and devotion to her family. Her Children, Clifford Lee “Pete” Jr. and Patty Starchman, Janie and Steve Smith, Judy and John Madison, their Children, Tammy and George Bevins, Todd Endicott, Karla Dickson, Richard and Stacey Starchman, Stephanie and David Stapleton Jr., and Kelly and Jason Wells, 10 Great-Grandchildren, 1 Great-Great Grandchild, 50 nieces and nephews and numerous Great-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Carl Kieslich and Birdie Kieslich Bloyed, her husband Clifford Lee “Cedar” Starchman, 2 grandsons, Jeremy Doty and Jeremy King.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude for all the doctors, nurses, aides and staff that have cared for Betty over the last 15 years, from St. Johns, Freeman, and Home Health, especially Dr. Dagen and Dr. Bettasso who she thought so much of.
Funeral services are planned for Friday, October 7, at 11:00 a.m. at Parker Mortuary with family to receive friends starting at 10:00 a.m. up to service time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution can be made to Parker Mortuary to help family with marker.
Betty Jean wanted her life to be celebrated and not to be a sad affair.
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