Harbor Light News

Jean Jardine


Jean Jardine

Jean Jardine

Jean Edna (Wheaton) Jardine, 94, of Harbor Springs, died November 22, 2022, at Bay Bluffs Medical Care Facility.

Jean was born in Cheboygan, Michigan, to John Balch Wheaton and Edna (Nelson) Wheaton on July 18, 1928. Jean was born in her grandfather’s home, the same home where her mother was born. The home remains in the family.

Jean graduated from Cheboygan High School, Cheboygan County Normal, and Central Michigan University. Following graduation, she was employed as a school librarian for several years downstate. She had also served as the first lay teacher at St. Mary’s Elementary in Cheboygan. In 1971, Jean married Dean Jardine of Cass City and Harbor Springs. After retiring in 1977 the couple moved to Harbor Springs.

Jean worked at Bluff Gardens for several years. She nurtured a great interest in local government and was elected to the Harbor Springs City Council and then Mayor. Jean served in city government for 22 years. She also served on the Boards of Directors for Perry farms, Hillside Village, and the Friendship Center of Harbor Springs and was a member of the Bay View Reading Club. Jean was a great sports fan who followed baseball, football, hockey, and horse racing. She very much enjoyed traveling and traveled throughout the United States, southern Canada, Europe, Bermuda, Isle Royale, and enjoyed many vacations to Mackinac Island.

Jean is survived by her niece Judith (Chris) Nelsen, nephew John B. Wheaton, and her wonderful in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother John (Mary) Wheaton, and husband Dean Jardine. Jean was the last of her generation.

Services will be held at Holy Childhood Catholic Church on Friday, December 2, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. with one-hour prior for visitation. Father James Bearss will officiate. Jean will be laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery in the spring.

Friends looking to make a charitable donation in her memory are asked to please consider a library of your choice, Holy Childhood Catholic Church or Manna Food Pantry.

Arrangements are in the care of Stone Funeral Home.

(Editor’s Note: The Harbor Light Newspaper is working on a feature remembering Jean Jardine, especially her 22 years of public service in this community. We are collecting comments and memories. Email: kate@ncpublish.com.)