Jean Barkman was born on July 1, 1938, to Paul and Hannah (Miller) Rempel in Inola, Oklahoma. She departed this life on June 15, 2017 in Chouteau, Oklahoma, at age 78.
Jean grew up in rural Inola and attended various country schools and then Inola Public School from the 5th grade thru the 10th grade. In 1954 at the Oklahoma Bible Academy in Meno, Oklahoma, she met the love of her life, Ed Barkman. She studied at Grace Bible Institute in Omaha in 1956-57. On June 27, 1958, they were married, and to their union three children were born. She and Ed did missionary work for most of their lives, serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Brazil for 30 years. They served in various support roles including building jungle air strips. After retirement she was active in her church, teaching Sunday school, Bible school and serving in the prison ministry.?She loved sewing and making quilts for her grandchildren. More than anything she loved her family, and her devotion to God was one to be admired. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be deeply missed by all who loved her.?She is survived by her husband, Ed; one son, Keith Barkman and wife Heidi of Brazil; two daughters, Cheryl Skupa and husband Bryan of Haddam, Kansas and Linda Goossen and husband Elwyn of Brazil; six grandchildren, Timothy and Hanna Barkman, Laura Skupa and Andrew, Nathan and Susanna Goossen; two sisters, Shirley Schellhorn and husband Paul of Claremore, Eunice Weast and husband Frank of Inola and Charlie Rempel and wife Okie of Wiggins, Mississippi, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.?She is preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Hannah.
