Jean Ellen Highlands

TWINSBURG - Jean Highlands, passed peacefully on her 79th birthday, April 4, 2024.

Born in Allen County, Ohio, Jean lived there until 1957, when her family moved to Springfield, OH. Jean was a member of the Springfield North High School band and graduated from Springfield North High School in 1963. She attended The Ohio State University, where she graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. Jean taught seventh, eighth, and ninth grade math in the Monroe Public School System, Monroe, MI, from 1967-1970.

Jean and her husband, Jim, met while they both were working at a F.W. Woolworth Company store in Springfield, OH, and married December 30, 1967. With Jim’s management positions with F.W. Woolworth Company, Woolco, and Radio Shack, they lived in Lansing, MI, Quincy, IL, Piqua, OH, and Hamilton, OH. After Jean’s retirement from S.K. Willman in Bedford, OH, they settled in Twinsburg, OH.

Of all of Jean’s accomplishments, her love for her Great Dane dogs and her service with the Great Dane Club of America was most gratifying. Jean worked hard at the many positions she held in the GDCA: Treasurer, Delegate to the AKC, board member of the GDCA. and board member of the GDCA Charitable Trust. Jean was also a member of the Ravenna Kennel Club for more than 28 years.

It was apparent, though, that her favorite job was to be Chief Ring Steward at the GDCA Nationals shows and the Great Dane Club of Cleveland Specialty shows.  She was a member of Ohio Steward Club. Jean’s last show as Chief Ring Steward was GDCA’s National Show held in Santa Fe, NM, October 2023.

Jean, (Gee Gee), is survived by her husband of 56 years, Jim; sisters, Joyce Brenneman, Springfield, OH, Joanne Carter, Mechanicsburg, OH, and stepsister, Karen Scott; sister-in-law, Diane (Jerry) Jagielka, Temperance, MI; nephews, Dan (Rowena) Carter, Mechanicsburg, OH, and Jim and Jeff Russell, Springfield, OH; great nieces, Kerrigan Carter, Springfield, OH, and Sara (Kristoff) Pavick, Fairborn, OH; great-great nephew, Kristoff Pavick, Fairborn, OH, and cousin, Keith (Tess) Oder, Leland, N.C.

Visitation will be held, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, from 4 - 7 PM, at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow 44224.  Interment Friday, April 12, 2024, at 1 PM, at Memorial Park Cemetery, 3000 Harding Highway, Lima, OH 45804.