Mary Jean Oakley

Funeral services for Mary Jean Oakley, 79, of Tipton, who died Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, will be held Sunday, January 23, 2:00 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Tipton with Father David Hitch officiating. Organist will be Mary Barnum and vocalist, Diane Moon. Visitation will be one hour prior to service on Sunday from 1-2 PM. Casket bearers are Maury Krob, Casey Greene, Brandon Oakley, Matthew Oakley, Joshua Gingery, Gerald Driscoll. Mary Jean Brannan, daughter of William and Ina Palm Brannan, was born December 18, 1931, in Guthrie County, Iowa. She was a graduate of Audubon High School. Mary was united in marriage to James Alvin Oakley, Sr. on October 25, 1951 in Audubon, Iowa. She was employed as the office manager for Dr. Owen Duffy & Associates in Iowa City for 20 years. She also worked for the Tipton Community Schools and Jameson Corporation. Mary was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Tipton and St. Mary's Guild. She served as church secretary and volunteered every Wednesday for Bingo at Cedar Manor Nursing Home. Mary is survived by her daughter, Sherri Havel of North Liberty, Iowa; son, Jerry (Carol) Oakley of Tipton, Iowa; grandchildren Brandon (Kelly), Holly (Casey), Bronwyn, Chelsie (Joshua), Matthew; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Isabella, Addison, Hayden; sisters, Karen Elfring of Cottonwood, Arizona, Patricia (Laverne) Deist of Audubon, Iowa; brothers, Duane (Barbara) Brannan of Pacheco, California, and James (Vickie) Brannan of Audubon; sisters-in-law Norma Norris, Des Moines, Iowa, Janice Oakley, Audubon, Iowa; brothers-in-law George (Lois) Oakley, Audubon, Iowa, Lloyd (Geneva) Oakley, Audubon, Wayne Seime of Austin, Texas, and Don Zwahlen of La Habrae, California She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, James Oakley, Sr.; son, James "Buddy" Oakley; sisters, Elaine Baier, LeAnn Zwahlen, Wilma Seime; twin brother, Jerry Brannan; sister-in law Dorothy (Frank) Schmidt; and brothers-in-law, Howard Oakley, and Allen Oakley. Memorials may be made to the Mary Oakley memorial fund in memory of Mary.