Jeannette Silbaugh

Jeannette Silbaugh, age 95, of Pine River, passed away on Wednesday, Dec 28, 2016. Preceded in death by her husband, Walter, her parents Clifford and Ida Cole and her brother, Dale. Survived by her 3 children, Walt "Reggie" Silbaugh, Jackie (John) Wetrosky, Randy Silbaugh; and three grandchildren, Shane and Meridee Silbaugh and Anna Wetrosky. Services will be held at Kline Funeral Home, Pine River, on Monday, Jan 2, at 11 AM. Visitation will be one hour before the service.

Jeannette was born in Gillett Grove IA, in 1921, to Clifford and Ida Cole. She graduated from Lake Center High School in 1938 and worked at the Scott Store in Spencer, IA. She took correspondent classes from the Chillicothe Business College and was the store manager from 1943-1945. She met her husband, Walter, in 1938. Walter was drafted into the Army in 1941 and stationed in Hawaii. They married in 1944 while Walter was home attending Officer Candidate School. They lived in Texas for a brief period while Walter was preparing to deploy to Europe. After the war, when Walter was discharged, they moved to Pine River. In 1947 she and Walter bought the G&G Store, an army navy surplus store which was located in the basement of the old Masonic Hall. They transitioned it to a clothing store and in 1951 they moved to a building on Main Street. In 1959 they built a new building and changed the name to Silbaugh's Department Store. Jeannette was very active in civic affairs. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a charter member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Post 613. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and active in Evening Circle. She and her husband were long time supporters of the Deep Portage Conservation Reserve. Jeannette was instrumental in starting the Deep Portage Gift shop which she then managed for many years. She was a long time resident of Chickamaw Beach and served many years as the treasurer of the Chickamaw Beach Village council.