Claflin, Jean Ardis (Bennett)

Jean Ardis (Bennett) Claflin, 81, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, May 4, 2013, at St. Luke's Hospital after an extended illness. Graveside service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Fairfax Cemetery. Friend may call at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Survivors include her son, Dan (Donna), and son-in-law, David Holliday, both of Cedar Rapids; six grandchildren Jennifer McLaud, Amy Grizzell, Chad Holliday, Sarah Clark, and Kristin and Matthew Claflin; eight great-grandchildren, Cody, Zach, Jeremy, Austin, Gage, Kali, Remington and Jayden; a brother, Richard (Jan) Bennett of Mechanicsville; sisters-in-law, Jo Bennett of Tipton and Janet Bennett of Lisbon; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bruce; a daughter, Wendy in 2005; a daughter, Mary in 2012; and brothers, Willard and Wayne Bennett.

Jean was born Oct. 14, 1931, in Lisbon, the daughter of D. Audis and Margaret Kynett Bennett and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1949. She married Bruce M. Claflin on Feb. 12, 1950, in Fairfax. Bruce died in 2001.

Jean worked at Rockwell Collins and retired from there in 1991. She enjoyed working crossword puzzles, music, the Iowa Hawkeyes, her home and especially the time spent with her friends and beloved family.

Jean was a wonderful wife, sister, mother and grandmother whose memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved her.

Memorial donations may be given to St. Luke's Hospice or the Anna Ghosh Foundation in Jean's name.

Please leave a message or tribute to the Claflin family on the Web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Published May 6, 2013 in The Gazette