Juanita Jean Dunbar, age 97, of Washington, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at Halcyon House.

Jean, to us, “Neats” to her classmates, was born on May 8, 1929 in Brighton, Iowa, the daughter of Earnest and Bessie (Neff) Zickefoose. She graduated as valedictorian in 1947 from Brighton High School. She was united in marriage to James E. Dunbar on August 30, 1948, at the Presbyterian Church in Brighton, Iowa.

Jean worked at the button factory and McCleery Cumming Calendar Factory before having her first child. Jean was secretary for Indian Creek Country School and was a member of the Indian Creek Women’s Club. She taught Sunday School for many years at Christian Tabernacle/Berean Church and Assembly of God in Washington, as well as the First Church of God in Brighton. Jean loved working with James in the vegetable and flower gardens on the home place and traveling together on several cruises.

Jean is survived by two daughters: Jeana (Tonnie) Crile and Julie Dunbar-Richardson, both of Washington; two sons: James “Jim” (Debbie) Dunbar of Pleasant Plain, Iowa and Jerry (Pam) Dunbar of Washington, Iowa; six grandchildren: Vince (Lisen) Wonderlich, Steven (Marchel) Dunbar, Matthew (Dawn) Richardson, Aaron (Betsy) Richardson, Alyssa (Trevor) Rich and Rebecca (Michael) Collins; 24 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; as well as her sister, Darlene (Gailen) Reighard of Springfield, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; grandchildren, Gregory Dunbar, Jason Richardson and Pamela Dunbar; great granddaughter, Makayla Richardson; two sisters, Oletha (Bob) Waterhouse and June (Joe) Ricks; three brothers, Leonard (Dorothy) Zickefoose, Gail (Karren) Zickefoose, and Les (Jo) Zickefoose.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the First Church of God in Brighton, Iowa, with Pastors Kevin Dice, Ryan Meader, Rick Zickefoose and Rick Hughes officiating. Calling hours will begin 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Sandy Hook Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a general memorial has been established. Online condolences may be sent for Jean’s family at www.jonesfh.com.