Ila Jean Suntken

Ila Jean Suntken, 75 of Corning, Iowa, entered eternal rest on September 3, 2007 at the Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston, Iowa at the age of 75 years, 8 months and 13 days following a 1 1/2 year battle with colon, pancreatic and liver cancer. Jean was born December 21, 1931, in Montpelier, Ohio to Harold and Opal Beck Britton. Jean lived in Montpelier where she attended school through the 12th grade, graduating with the class of 1950. On September 30, 1950, Jean married Richard L. Suntken. Five children were born to this union. Richard was employed with the National Farmers Organization which brought the family to Iowa in 1968. Jean has been a resident of Corning since the summer of 1970.
Jean was a fine baker, and enjoyed being a fulltime homemaker. She also worked at Places Store for nineteen years before retiring in 1995. In her spare time Jean enjoyed reading, crocheting, bowling with a local league in Corning, square dancing with the Boots Bows Square Dance Club and corresponding with a special friend from childhood, Mary Katherine Thomas who lives in Lakeland, Florida.
Jean was preceded in death by her father Harold Britton, mother and step-father, Opal and Wilbur Tingley; brother-in-law, Bill Simmons and niece, Diane.
Jean is survived by her daughters: Wendy (Jerry) Netherton, Melody Gaynor Suntken, both of Crossville, TN, Michelle “Shelly” (Tracy) Franks of Omaha, NE; sons: Steve (Diane) Suntken of Foyil, OK and David (Mary) Suntken of Orange City, IA; one sister, Laurice Simmons of Tonopah, AZ; fifteen grandchildren, six step- grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, four step-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.