Funeral services for Belva Jean (Shriner) Lightner, age 89, of Solomon will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 20, 2019 at the Solomon United Methodist Church in Solomon with Pastor Ever Mudambanuki and Pastor Phillip Hett officiating. Jean passed away Thursday, April 11, 2019 at Bethany Home in Lindsborg.
Jean was born December 4, 1929 in Geneseo, Kansas, the daughter of Nelson and Mildred (Moore) Shriner.
On May 22, 1953 Jean married William J. “Bill” Lightner in Geneseo. Jean is survived by her daughters, Babs and husband Frank Reese of Gypsum, Kansas, Cathy and husband Alan Nelson of Wichita, Kansas, Linda and husband Paul Duck of Shawnee, Kansas, Jalynn and husband Todd Osborne of Tulsa, Oklahoma, sons Jon and wife Shari of Lowell, Arkansas, and Joe of Solomon, Kansas; 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren with 2 on the way, and her siblings Jim and his wife Joyce Lee, David Shriner and Joyce Ann Mullen. Jean was preceded in death by her loving husband Bill on May 21, 2015, and her parents and siblings Doris, Esther, Robert, Carol, Jerry and Beryl.
Jean was Valedictorian of her high school graduating class, the Geneseo High School Dragons, and then went on to earn her teaching certificate from Kansas State Teachers College. Soon after that Jean moved to Solomon and was employed by the DS&O Electric Company until starting her family. She later worked as the Solomon City Clerk and then returned to the DS&O when her children were older and remainder there until she retired. She was an active member of the Solomon United Methodist Church, serving on the church council, teaching Sunday school, and acting as treasurer.
Jean was also dedicated to her community. As a member of Jolly Jill’s EHU she played a significant role in bringing a pool to Solomon. One of Jean’s greatest accomplishments was being elected as the first female City councilmember in Solomon and serving two terms.
History and genealogy were also passions of Jean and led her to research family history and establish her membership in the Abilene Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was honored to serve in multiple local and state offices throughout the years. Jean also served as a Historian for the Shriner Family.
In honor of Jean please feel free to wear her favorite color, purple.
Jean’s final resting place will be in the Prairie Mound Cemetery near Solomon. Visitation will be from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Friday evening, April 19th, at the Carlson-Becker Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Abilene Chapter of DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) or to the Shriner Family Scholarship Fund and may be sent in care of the Carlson-Becker Funeral Home, P.O. Box 308, Solomon, Kansas 67480. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.martinbeckercarlson.com.