Obituary of Jay E. Shearhart

Jay Everett Shearhart, 95, died Monday, February 25, 2019. Jay was born to John Everett and Ethel (Huff) Shearhart on May 5, 1923, in Coffeyville, Kansas. He attended Coffeyville schools and graduated from Field Kindley High School in 1941. He graduated from Coffeyville Community Junior College in 1968. In May, 1978, at the age of 55, he proudly received his Bachelor's degree from Pittsburg State University. Jay married Helga Holstein in 1948, and they had two sons, John and Charles. Following Helga's death in 1967, Jay married Elsie "Joan" Post Masters on September 25, 1968. They celebrated their Golden Anniversary last September, and she survives at the home. Jay worked at Coffeyville Air Base during World War II. He then went to work at Farmland Industries (Co-op), from which he retired in 1986 after 40 years. During his retirement years, he enjoyed working as a docent at the Dalton Museum. He was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, Coffeyville, where he served in many capacities. He was an active member of the Cooperative Credit Union Board for many years, and he served on the Coffeyville Public Library Board. He was recognized by American Red Cross as a 10-gallon donor. Jay was known by all as a kind and gentle man who loved his family and friends unconditionally. He lived his life by the words of Micah 6:8 "….what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" Jay is survived by his wife Joan of the home, sons Charles "Chuck" (Jami) Shearhart and Bryan (Juli) Masters, and daughters Lynn (David) Bumgarner and Judy (Phil) Neely, 10 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Donald, wife Helga, and son John. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 1, 2019, at First United Methodist Church, Coffeyville, Kansas, Pastor Diane Massey officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to First United Methodist Church in Coffeyville or the Dalton Museum Restoration fund. Donations may be left with or mailed in care of David Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.