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Marion Foster (Dimond)
Sister of our classmate Jim Swinney.
In Honor of Jeanne Marie Stalker, Our Nana
Jeanne Marie Stalker, age 82, of Sikeston, Missouri, passed away on April 11, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born on March 10, 1944, in Alton, Illinois, to Harold W. and Marcella M. Swinney of Alton, Illinois. She graduated in 1962 from Alton Senior High School. On March 6, 1964, Jeanne married her high school sweetheart and next-door neighbor, Charles O. Stalker and they embarked on a journey together, building a family and a beautiful legacy.
She is survived by her children, Amy Vaughan (Mike) of Sikeston, Missouri, and Sheri Jackson (Tom) of Sikeston, Missouri; her grandchildren, David Stalker (Audra), Catherine Jackson, Caroline Jackson, Benjamin Jackson (Cassie), and Dakota Woods; and her great-grandchildren, Hank Stalker and Kason Stalker. She is also survived by her siblings: Jim Swinney (Vicky) of Prescott, Arizona; Liz Kuhn of Godfrey, Illinois; Mary Lamken (Steve) of Grand Island, Nebraska; and Dorothy Ebbeler (Jeff) of Brighton, Illinois. Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Marcella Swinney; her husband, Charles Stalker; and her brother-in-law, John Kuhn.
Jeanne dedicated her life to caring for others, both professionally and personally. She graduated with honors from Alton Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1967, receiving accolades for her record breaking score on the state nursing boards, and was also awarded valedictorian. She worked as a Registered Nurse at Alton Memorial Hospital, Alton State Hospital, Sikeston Public Schools, and the Scott County Public Health Department, where she eventually retired. Her compassion and commitment touched countless lives throughout her career. She was known and loved throughout the community and was often stopped at the grocery store or a basketball game for hugs from former students and patients who remembered her—a beautiful reflection of her dedication to service and kindness.
Beyond her professional work, Jeanne was deeply involved in her community. She found joy in singing in her church choir and the Sikeston Community Choir, volunteering as a classroom assistant at Sikeston Kindergarten, and cheering on the Sikeston Bulldogs. She had a special love for music, often playing the piano and singing gospel songs at the top of her lungs.
Jeanne treasured time spent with her family above all else. She loved traveling across the country with her sisters and made it a priority to visit her grandchildren, both near and far, of whom she was incredibly proud. In recent years, her greatest joy came from being with her great-grandchildren, filling her days with laughter, warmth, and love.
Jeanne, our Nana, will be remembered for her joy, laughter, fun-loving spirit, and, above all else, her kind heart and unwavering devotion to her family and her faith. She lived a full life and used it to bless others. Her memory will be honored forever in the lives of her family and all who love her.
Visitation will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Sikeston, Missouri, with funeral services following at 1:00 p.m. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Missouri Baptist Children’s Home: 1300 St. Charles Rock Rd, Bridgeton, MO 63044 or online at mbch.org.
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