Jean E. Stough

Jean was born on July 29, 1929 to Harry and Helen Alspaugh in Lima, Ohio. Jean grew up in Lima, graduated from Lima Senior High in 1947 and began her freshman year in the Fall at Bowling Green State University. While there, she was active with lifelong friends in the Gamma Phi Beta sorority and met her future husband.

Jean and Henry “Hank” Stough were married in 1953 and resided in Indiana for several years as they welcomed son John in 1955 and daughter Susan in 1958.

In 1960, Jean and Hank moved to Columbus. In that same year, they joined a small Lutheran church in Upper Arlington. Little did they know that Upper Arlington Lutheran Church would become the center point in their lives for decades to come.

Jean loved every aspect of her church life: worship, Sunday school, volunteering and especially the fellowship of dear friends in her Bible Study and small groups. The bonds of friendship with her cherished church friends spanned almost 63 years.

One of Jean’s real passions was teaching. For several years in the 1960’s she was a substitute teacher for Upper Arlington Schools and in 1970 became a full-time teacher.

Jean was a second-grade teacher at Windemere Elementary School for 24 years. It was absolutely her dream job! She taught with great friends, had supportive parents and staff, and according to Jean, every one of her students would go on to have amazing lives.

Jean’s love of ice cream extended to her classroom each year. Mrs. Stough’s “Super Scoopers” were her students, and ice cream became one of the basic food groups in each kid’s diet.

While at Windemere, Jean and her close teaching buddy Lois Shepard conspired to get their husbands together for the annual Holiday party. Well, Hank and Paul Shepard hit it off, and both couples spent the next 30 years always having fun and traveling everywhere together.

Hank unexpectedly passed away in 1999 and through the support of many people, especially Lois and Paul, Jean continued her life without Hank.

When Lois also unexpectedly passed away in 2005, Jean and Paul became kindred spirits through church and social activities.

Although Jean and Paul had lost Hank and Lois, they were resolute in their belief that life should have a shared purpose.

Jean and Paul were married in 2007 and enjoyed their time together.

An obituary, by definition, is a brief biography of a life. A brief biography of living 93 years fails to capture the essence of a person’s being.

However, a few memories from Jean’s highlight reel outside of church and teaching were:

• Spring Breaks in Florida!

• Egypt and cruising the Nile River

• Travel and more travel

• Christmas Eve at her house surrounded by family

• OSU games and mandatory tailgates

• College Basketball – Jean was a March Madness junkie and won the office pools of children and grandchildren several times

• Summers at Swim & Racquet Club

• Being in a Bridge Club with the same women for over 50 years

• Watching four Grandchildren grow into their 30’s

She was preceded in death by her parents and Hank Stough. Survived by husband Paul Shepard, son John (Betsy) Stough, daughter Susan (Scott) Jones, Scott (Sara) Shepard, Steve (Jane Simmons) Shepard, Sister-In-Law Mary Lou Griebling and nephews Steve (Sue) Griebling and Eric (Marcia) Griebling.

Also survived by beloved Grandchildren Brian (Ryan Niehaus) Bauer, Madeline Stough, Sam (Nina) Stough, Katie (Luke) Reardon, Matt Shepard and Andy Shepard; and her Great Grandchildren Hazel Stough and Oscar Reardon.

Memorial service Thursday, April 13th, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, Mill Run Campus 3500 Mill Run Drive, Hilliard, OH 43026. Family will receive and greet guests at a reception immediately following the service until 5:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Upper Arlington Lutheran Church Memorial Fund. Address at 2300 Lytham Road, Columbus, OH 43220 or make a charitable contribution of your choice in memory of Jean.

Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share memories and condolences. Funeral arrangements entrusted to SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST.