Jean-Marie A. Schlecht 1928-2025

Jean was born July 17, 1928, in Cleveland, to Mildred Elizabeth Walker Towle and Wilbur Trayer Towle.

Following her graduation from Shaw High School, Jean attended St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1949. She worked as a pediatric nurse until the birth of her first child. On May 31, 1952, she was married to John Stephen Schlecht MD, and together they made Warren their home where they raised a beautiful family.

A long-time member of Christ Episcopal Church, she was fondly known there as “Miss Jean” to the generations of children she taught as a Sunday School teacher for 50 years. She served on the vestry, chaired and served on many committees and was a strong supporter of the music program.

Motivated by her steadfast love of Jesus and her desire to be his hands and feet in the world, Jean considered herself to be a “professional volunteer.” She is perhaps best known as co-founder of Trumbull Mobile Meals. Founded in 1970, it has grown to provide home-delivered meals to more than 300 clients utilizing hundreds of volunteers, Jean has served as Board President, chaired many committees and continued to serve on the board until her death. She was involved in many other community service projects that touched the lives of so many in the greater Warren area.

Jean participated in mission trips to Nicaragua, El Salvador, Brazil and India. While volunteering in a Calcutta orphanage, she met and prayed with Mother Teresa.

Jean was inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame and received numerous awards and commendations for her volunteer work from many civic organizations, the Governor of Ohio, the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives and the Mayor and City Council of Warren.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, John Stephen Schlecht MD; her parents, Mildred and Wilbur Towle; brother, David Walker Towle; and two grandchildren, Elizabeth Grace Pearson and Sgt. Brice A. Pearson.

Her son, John Stephen Schlecht, followed her in death on March 23, 2025.

Jean leaves behind her daughters, Kathy of Medfield, Massachusetts, Sandy of Warren and Beth (Robert) Pearson of Peoria, Arizona. She was devoted to her grandchildren, Matthew (Kortney) Pearson, Joshua (Brooke) Pearson and Amy (Nikko) Matthew, John Trayer and Stephen Patrick; and to her great-grandchildren, Kaiden, Ezra, Braxton, Ruby, Brody, Everly Jean, Riley, Brice and Ragnar.

Jean loved fiercely and was fiercely loved in return. The world is a better place because she was in it.

A celebration of her extraordinary life is planned for Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Christ Episcopal Church, 2627 Atlantic St. NE, Warren. Calling hours begin at 9 a.m. with funeral services to follow at 10:30 a.m. All who knew and loved Jean are invited to attend a reception immediately following services, at the church.

The family requests tributes and memorial contributions be made via Zelle to jss3104@yahoo.com, for the education of her grandsons, John Trayer and Stephen; or to Trumbull Mobile Meals, 323 E. Market St., Warren, OH 44481.

Arrangements are entrusted to Staton-Borowski Funeral Home, 962 North Road NE, Warren, OH 44483, 330-394-6200. Dedicated to serving your loved ones. This obituary may be viewed and condolences sent to www.statonborowskifuneralhome.com.

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