Jeanne M. Masteller

JEANNE MARIE MASTELLER, 93, a long-time resident of Sidney and most recently, Dorothy Love Retirement Community, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family at 6:45 AM on Monday, February 1, 2016. Jeanne was born on April 5, 1922 in Coutances, an area near Normandy in northwestern France, the daughter of the late Jean and Ethel (Redmayne) Butterlin. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace, sister, Renee Bellier and infant son, Paul.

Jeanne is survived by 5 children; John (Beth) Masteller of Sidney, Evelyn (Charlie) Kuhn of St. Louis, MO, Michael (Mary) Masteller of Sidney, Claire (John) Beyoglides of Dayton, Lisa (Rich) Viertel of Columbus, 15 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jeanne earned a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Algiers (Algeria) in 1945. In July of 1945 she met and married U.S. Army Captain Wally Masteller in Setif, Algeria and they moved to Sidney in 1946. Along with Wally, Jeanne operated Monarch Cleaners, the family dry cleaning business.

As a lifetime learner, Jeanne earned a Bachelor of French Education degree in her 60's and a Master of Humanities degree from Wright State University. Her many talents included being an accomplished water color artist, pianist, seamstress and knitter. Her art and knitting will be treasured by many of her family members.

In her lifetime she was an avid bridge player, avid reader, piano teacher, French tutor, and scout leader. Jeanne volunteered her time at Wilson Memorial Hospital, Dorothy Love Retirement Community gift shop, as a hospice volunteer and she was a member of the Newman Club. Jeanne loved her church, serving as a long-time parishioner of Holy Angels Catholic Church.

Jeanne's incredible life journey is chronicled in a book she wrote called, "A French Girl's Journey". It outlined the life and times of a World War II bride in America.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at 10:00 AM at Holy Angels Catholic Church with Rev. James J. Riehle officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Sidney. Friends may call on Friday from 4 - 7 PM at Cromes Funeral Home, 302 S. Main Ave. Sidney.
 
The family of Jeanne is grateful to the staff at Dorothy Love for the care Jeanne received. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests that a donation be made to the Dorothy Love Retirement Community, Senior Independence Hospice or The Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley. Condolences may be expressed to the Masteller family at the funeral home's website, www.cromesfh.com

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