Obituary for Jean K. Huffman

Jean Krichbaum Huffman 1931-2021, died on April 17, two days before her 90th birthday.

Born in Englewood, New Jersey and raised in Orrville, Ohio, Jean graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University and taught school in Kent, Ohio before moving to Westerville, Ohio with her husband Donald. There she raised four children and taught for several years at St Paul School in Westerville. She earned a Masters of Arts in Education from Ohio State University in 1981.

When Donald suffered a debilitating stroke in 1986, Jean became a devoted caregiver for him, stubbornly determined to keep him active and engaged until his death in 2014. In retirement, they had a winter residence for many years in Cape Coral, Florida.

Jean enjoyed painting with watercolors and pastels. Her works were often displayed at exhibitions by the Westerville and Cape Coral art leagues. When her grandchildren came along, they became her favorite subjects. She combined her teaching experience and her love of art as a volunteer docent at the Columbus Museum of Art.

She was a longtime member of the Westerville Church of the Messiah and continued to follow services online throughout the pandemic. She was an avid reader and book club member until the end. She always had a pile of books to read next to her plus a few more on request from the library.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Donald L Huffman, and survived by sons Timothy and Kenneth (Christine Chandler), daughters Donna (Steven Holloway) and Marcia (Steven) Korane, six grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2:30 PM, Friday, April 23, 2021 at HILL FUNERAL HOME followed by a Memorial Service at 2:30 PM. The service will also be livestreamed at HILL FUNERAL HOME'S YouTube Channel for those who are unable to attend and in observance of Covid-19 guidelines for gatherings. There will be a box lunch gathering following services at 3:30 PM at McVay Hall at The Church of The Messiah.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation.