Jean Loyette Flanagan (Fahrney)
November 2, 1923 — July 4, 2007
Jean L. Flanagan, 83, of Linn Manor Care Center, Marion, Iowa, died there Wednesday, July 4, 2007, following a long illness. Services: 1:00 p.m., Monday, July 9, 2007, at Bible Baptist Church, 5037 Center Point Road N.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The family will greet friends from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., Monday, at the church.
Survivors include her sons, Jerry Butler, David Armstrong, Jr., and Kevin Flanagan; nine grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by husbands, Jimmy Butler, David Armstrong and Robert Flanagan; parents; son, Jimmy Butler; and sister, Corinne Crowley.
Jean was born November 2, 1923, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Cleo and Louise (Mundy) Fahrney. She was a member of the Bible Baptist Church.
At age 14, Jean, our mother, was singing with the Horace Heidt Band before the bright lights of Broadway. At age 17, she married Jimmy Butler, a child star in Hollywood, and had two sons. She quit the band to raise a family. With one son at 3 years and the other at 6 months, Jimmy was killed in action in WWII. She later met and married David Armstrong, a West Point Graduate, and had another son. When the baby was 6 months old her husband was sent to Korea. Two weeks later he was listed as “missing in action”. He was declared dead 3 ½ years later. Twice a widow at age 28. At age 40, she married Robert Flanagan and had another son. At age 57, her public singing was limited to Sunday services at Bible Baptist Church in Marion.
She told the press that her contentment and happiness with life was largely due to becoming a “born-again Christian”. She loved the Lord and she loved her family and friends.
By God's grace, she fought a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease for 18 years. Right up to the end of her life she thought of no greater joy than to tell others of her wonderful savior, Jesus Christ, and His gift of eternal life to those that believe.
Our parting words were not “good-bye mom” but rather “we love you and we'll really miss you, but we'll see you later mom”.
A memorial fund has been established in Jean's memory.
Survivors include her sons, Jerry Butler, David Armstrong, Jr., and Kevin Flanagan; nine grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by husbands, Jimmy Butler, David Armstrong and Robert Flanagan; parents; son, Jimmy Butler; and sister, Corinne Crowley.
Jean was born November 2, 1923, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Cleo and Louise (Mundy) Fahrney. She was a member of the Bible Baptist Church.
At age 14, Jean, our mother, was singing with the Horace Heidt Band before the bright lights of Broadway. At age 17, she married Jimmy Butler, a child star in Hollywood, and had two sons. She quit the band to raise a family. With one son at 3 years and the other at 6 months, Jimmy was killed in action in WWII. She later met and married David Armstrong, a West Point Graduate, and had another son. When the baby was 6 months old her husband was sent to Korea. Two weeks later he was listed as “missing in action”. He was declared dead 3 ½ years later. Twice a widow at age 28. At age 40, she married Robert Flanagan and had another son. At age 57, her public singing was limited to Sunday services at Bible Baptist Church in Marion.
She told the press that her contentment and happiness with life was largely due to becoming a “born-again Christian”. She loved the Lord and she loved her family and friends.
By God's grace, she fought a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease for 18 years. Right up to the end of her life she thought of no greater joy than to tell others of her wonderful savior, Jesus Christ, and His gift of eternal life to those that believe.
Our parting words were not “good-bye mom” but rather “we love you and we'll really miss you, but we'll see you later mom”.
A memorial fund has been established in Jean's memory.
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