Delores Jean Gillespie, the daughter of John and Wilma (Clay) Cary was born on June 19, 1933, in Mills County, Iowa, near Malvern. She passed away on Monday, January 3, 2022, at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, Red Oak, Iowa, the age of 88 years, 6 months and 15 days.

Jean was raised in Henderson, Iowa. While attending high school she loved playing basketball. In 1951, she graduated from Henderson High School, moved to Red Oak to live with her sister, Ramona and began working at Union Carbide Battery Company. On September 20, 1952, Jean was united in marriage to Howard L. Gillespie in Red Oak. For a period of time, Jean worked at Thomas D. Murphy Calendar Company, before going back to Union Carbide for the rest of her working career. Jean enjoyed crafting and sewing, even making many clothing items. She loved to go fishing, hunting and searching for mushrooms. Jean enjoyed the monthly Classy Cats retirement gatherings.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Howard on February 2, 2018; two sons-in-law: Duane Bissen and Mike Fine; sister, Ramona Smith and brother, Pearl W. Cary.

Jean is survived by her three daughters: Sheryl Bissen of Grinnell, IA, Monica Fine of Red Oak, IA and Barb (Erwin) Beals of Houston, TX; four grandchildren: Michelle (John) Adams, Scott Bissen, Craig (Tori) Bissen and Kaitin Beals; 7 great-grandchildren; sisters: Phyllis Cary of Central Point, OR and Doris (Charles) Karloff of Yutan, NE; brothers-in-law: Bill Gillespie of Mt Pleasant, TX and Charles (Mary) Gillespie of Flippin, Arkansas; and sister-in-law, Evelyn (Joe) Crain of Forsyth, IL; other relatives and friends.

May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Graveside Service will be held
Friday, January 7, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.
At Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak, Iowa
Family requests casual attire.

Friends and family will meet at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home at 12:30 p.m. for procession to the cemetery. The service will be live streamed on Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home's Facebook page.

Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.sldfuneralhome.com

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of Jean's arrangements.