Jean Shirlene Whetsel Crump

The life of Jean Whetsel Crump was one of simplicity, honest work, and love of family. Born on March 14, 1927 in Ridgeway, Ohio, she was the only daughter of five children that blessed the union of Harry Stewart Whetsel and Pauline Clark Whetsel. Her childhood was spent helping her mother prepare meals for the farmhands, wallpapering neighborhood homes, and taking care of the “little boys”, her younger brothers. At an early age, she professed her faith in Jesus Christ, and was baptized and reared in Ridgeway Baptist Church. Although deserving the recognition of class valedictorian, she was acknowledged as the salutatorian of her 1945 Ridgeway High School graduating class. She left Ridgway to attend Ohio State University. Jean was joined in holy matrimony to Lomax Hunt Ginn, and from this union four children were blessed to have her as a loving mother: Laurence "Larry" Ginn, who preceded her in death; Karen (Donald) McDaniel; Max (DiAnn) Ginn; and Cathy (Walter) Hunt. She felt blessed to have seven grandchildren whom she loved dearly: Larry "Lamont" (Donna) Davis, Tonya Isabel, James "Trey" (Nielah Burnett) Roberts, Natasha (David "Tone") Brinkley, Eric (Stephanie) Roberts, and Sheena and Jeremy Ginn. Jean instilled in her children the values of kindness, hard work, and honesty. She reared her family to have a relationship with Christ through Hilltop United Methodist Church. Once her children were in school, Jean went to work on an assembly line making telephones parts at Western Electric (later Lucent Technologies) for nearly thirty years. She enjoyed all types of music and played the piano for various churches. Jean thoroughly enjoyed retirement. She married Robert "Bob" Hassel and the couple moved to Mt. Victory, Ohio, to be close to her father, who lived in Ridgeway. Jean and Bob spent much of their time traveling, visiting family and friends, and playing bid whist and other games. These joyous times ended after a sudden but brief illness that Bob did not survive. Jean then moved to Bellefontaine, Ohio, where she had many relatives. Jean was blessed to find companionship with Thomas Crump, and at age 76, she married him. Jean and Tom enjoyed entertaining family and friends in Plain City, Ohio where they lived until their health required the assistance of others. Her mother, father, and brothers—Paul "Bill" (Phyliss), Pearl (Alma), Cletus "Clete" (Sissy), and Harry "Stu" (Irene)—preceded her in death. She leaves to continue with life her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; nieces Syndrea "Syndi" Shy, Debbie Spoutz, Paula (Sidney) Ribeau, Pamela (Walter) Burrow, Kendall and Eleanor Whetsel, Patty Ginn and Kellee (Harry "Petie") Kershaw; nephews Paul "Reese", Eddie (Cheryl), Tim (Kathleen), Greg (Sylvia), Eric (Suzy), Brook (Phyliss) Whetsel, Larry (Judy) and Bobby (Richelle) Ginn; and stepdaughters Sheila (Ike) Day, Jackie Crump, and Annette (Arnold) Ware; stepsons Bob, Tim, and Kent Hassel; sisters-in-law Alma and Irene Whetsel; and devoted family friend, Valerie McDaniel, who cared for Jean as if she was her own mother. Jean's family and friends celebrate her today because she lived a rich, full life and brought joy to many. Her strong yet quiet ways, her ability to listen without judgment, her surprising sense of humor, her gentle, kind spirit, and her faith in God encouraged many who knew her.