Jean Faler

Jean Marie (Thompson) Faler

Jean Marie (Thompson) Faler, 89, of Independence, Kan. peacefully passed on at her home Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021.

Jean was born Sept. 8, 1932 in Independence, Kan. to Marion and Lela (Henderson) Thompson. She graduated from Independence High School in 1950. She worked as a secretary for the Independence Superintendent of Schools and Board of Education before marrying.

She married Dale Faler, USN, on May 31, 1951 in Pensacola, Fla. The couple enjoyed 49 years of marriage until his passing May 31, 2000.

While stationed in San Leandro, Calif., Jean worked at the Sunshine Biscuit Company. During the Korean War, Dale was shot down in North Korea while flying a dive-bombing mission. Upon receiving word Dale was Missing in Action, Jean returned home and was employed by attorney Ross Borders and State Farm Insurance.

With 24 years in the Navy, they moved every 2 to 3 years living in several states. Eventually retiring to Independence and bought an 80-year-old home and renovated it many years following.

Jean was active in the Naval Officers Wives’ Clubs at each military station. She took advantage of the opportunity to attend classes in the cities they lived. She studied pattern drafting, interior design, hostessing, tailoring, millinery, knitting, entertainment foods, and upholstery.

She was a founding member of the Independence Christian Women’s Club, an active member of the Grace Memorial United Methodist Church, Triad, Crazy Quilters, and served on boards and volunteered for the Independence Museum, American Red Cross, Girl Scouts and Independence High School Band Boosters.

Jean loved to travel in the U.S. and abroad, especially anyplace where she could visit a lighthouse, a gift shop, eat salmon and listen to the ocean.

Jean’s memory carries on with her two daughters, Cheryl Landwehr, Independence, Kan. and Susan Faler, Emporia, Kan; one sister Karen Bohr, Independence; nine grandchildren Jessara (Sara) Wolf, Nathaniel (Meriah) Connelly, Colleen (Jason) Wright, and Theron Landwehr all of Independence; Heather (Nick) Love, Bartlesville, Okla., Valerie (Michael) Bonnett, Cary, NC, Tristan (Madeline) Landwehr, Lawrence, Kan., Abby Maycock, Virgil, Kan., and Riley Maycock, Manhattan, Kan. and 18 great grandchildren.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents Marion and Lela Thompson, husband Dale Faler and daughter Sandra Connelly.

Funeral services are 10 am, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 at Potts Chapel, 122 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Independence, Kan. 67301

Visitation is from 2 – 4 pm, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022 at Potts Chapel.

Memorials suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project or American Red Cross in care of Potts Chapel, 122 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Independence, Kan. 66801.