Jean Marie Spahr's Obituary
Jean Cowell Spahr passed away on December 26, 2025, at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis, MO. She was born in Red Bud, IL on October 10, 1943 to the late Louis and Luella Cowell.
She is survived by her sons, Brett (Joy) of St. Charles, MO and Brad (Kelly) of Manhattan Beach, CA and her grandchildren, Nicholas Spahr, Jack Spahr and Claire Spahr. Also surviving are her sisters, Joan Wiegard, Cathy (Lee) Demick, Justine (Terry) Liefer, and brother, Louis Cowell (Gus Zozoya). She is also survived by her card club friends of over 40 years, Tari and Steve Henne, Peggy Osman, Jean and Roger Sandheinrich, Cheryl and Ron Hood, Joan Wiegard, and Susie Birke.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Spahr, parents, Louis and Luella (nee Brown) Cowell, and brother-in-law, Dick Wiegard.
Jean graduated from St. John's Catholic School in Red Bud and Precious Blood Institute in Ruma, IL. She received a Bachelor's degree in English from St. Louis University, and Masters and Specialists degrees from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville.
She began her teaching career with the St. Louis Public Schools and taught at O'Fallon Technical High School and Cleveland High School before moving back to Red Bud. She had a long career in the Red Bud School System where she taught English, was a media specialist, and assistant principal at Red Bud High School. She then became principal at Red Bud Elementary School and retired in 2000.
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Jean and her husband, Ray, became part of the Lockhead Martin Training Team and instructed and recertified TSA screeners at airports across the country for over 10 years.
Jean loved traveling and enjoyed going to many special events including the Iditarod, Royal Ascot, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. She enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas and loved the National Finals Rodeo there. She traveled to all 50 states, many Caribbean Islands, and much of Europe.
Jean was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, Red Bud.
A memorial visitation will be held January 2, 2025, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm at Leesman Funeral Home, Red Bud, IL. A celebration of life service will follow at 1:00 pm. Inurnment will take place at St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Red Bud, IL.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church or the Red Bud School District.
For more information, please access our website, https://www.leesmanfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were handled by Leesman Funeral Home.
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