Lea Jean Shelman

Lea Jean Shelman

New Providence

Lea Jean Shelman, age 55, of New Providence, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at her home following a six-month battle with cancer. She was surrounded by those who loved her and cared for her.

Celebration of life services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Washington, Iowa, with Andrew Zuehlke officiating. Calling hours will begin at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home in Washington where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a general memorial has been established. Online condolences may be sent for Jean’s family at www.jonesfh.com.

Jean was born May 3, 1970, in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of Bob and Pam (Farrell) Shelman. Jean attended school in Washington and graduated from Washington High School in 1988. She attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Jean was united in marriage to Keith Smith on July 3, 1993, in Washington, Iowa. They later divorced but remained good friends.

During high school and college, Jean worked with her mom at Farrell’s Inc. in Washington. She later worked at Orchard Hill Res Care in Washington. Following her marriage, Jean and Keith lived in Yankton, South Dakota; and Central City, Nebraska; before moving to the Eldora/New Providence area. She worked at McFarland Medical in Eldora and was currently working as a Youth Service Worker for the State Training School for Boys and also was a sitter in the dementia unit at Hubbard Care Center in Hubbard.

She is survived by her children: Shelby (Sean) Smith of New Providence, Iowa; Tyson Smith of Ankeny, Iowa; Clayton (Liz) Smith of Ames, Iowa; father, Bob Shelman of Washington, Iowa; brother, John (Raquel) Shelman of Mesa, Arizona; grandmother, Zane Farrell of Washington, Iowa; friend, Keith Smith of Eldora, Iowa; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Jean was preceded in death by her mom, Pam Shelman; grandparents, J.O. and Mildred Shelman; grandfather, Walt Farrell; and special aunt, Patricia.