Ilis "Jeannette" Newman Spurgeon

Ilis "Jeannette" Newman Spurgeon, Age 82 of Olathe, KS went into the arms of her Savior on December 31, 2015. The visitation is from 10-11am on Tuesday, January 5th, followed by the funeral service at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Olathe Chapel at 11AM. Burial is located at the Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.

Donations can be made to The Olathe Medical Center Hospice House.

Jeannette was born in Pike County, IL to Henry and Daisy Guthrie. She was the Valedictorian of her high school class, and participated in many activities throughout those years. She married Frank "Mercer" Newman on April 3, 1954 in Barry, IL. Mercer passed away November 5, 1979. On April 9, 1986, she married James Spurgeon. James passed away on January 31, 1995.

Jeannette was a wonderful wife, mother, and homemaker. She and Mercer partnered in building a successful Shaklee business, and she continued running the business for many years after Mercer's passing. One of her most fulfilling and impactful roles was that of being Grandma. She loved with a servant's heart and joyful spirit, always with a beautiful smile. She truly enjoyed playing with the grandkids, from board games to tea parties, water fights to dress up. If it meant loving the kids, she was going to be a part of it. She loved, encouraged, and nurtured her entire family until the very end.

She is preceded in death by her parents Henry and Daisy Guthrie, siblings Merle Guthrie, Gertrude Reiher, Evelyn Burbridge, Ruth Guthrie, John Guthrie, husband Mercer Newman, as well as husband James Spurgeon.

She is survived by her children, Dan (Patty) Newman, Jeff Newman, Janet (Joseph) LaGue, Linda (Ward) Van Lerberg, and grandchildren Cody (Asia) Van Lerberg, David (Makenzie) LaGue, Megan (Timothy) Van Zee, Sara (Justin) Mertes, Stephen LaGue, Dale Van Lerberg, Nicholas Newman, Patrick LaGue, Madeline Van Lerberg, Kayla Newman, Erin Newman, Grace LaGue, John Newman, and great grandchildren Silas, Elijah, and Noah Van Lerberg, Luna LaGue, and Baby Girl Van Zee. Sister Wilma Sloan, and Brother Gene (Debbie) Guthrie.

She will be greatly missed, but we rejoice in the fact that she is made whole and in the presence of her Savior Jesus Christ.

(Jeannette loved [and lived in] the color pink. Please consider wearing a touch of pink to the service in her memory.)

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