Jean Delores Heltsley

Jean Delores (nee Powell) Heltsley, 88, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Friday, December 1, 2023. Longtime resident of Port Charlotte Florida, Jean was born on August 1, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, a daughter of the late Lemont and Marie (nee Zivalich) Powell.

Along with her late husband, Lester, Jean was the co-owner of a successful sign company, based in Ocean Shores, Washington, until their retirement to Florida. She was very involved as an eBay seller of marine catalogs, rare marine parts and information. Jean delighted in being a very gifted seamstress. She was very active as a Republican election judge in Florida for many years, and loved traveling the world, especially to the Hawaiian Islands. Jean was lifelong practicing Catholic.

Jean is survived by her daughters, Christine M. Herbold (Scott) of Inman, SC and Michelle Lavelle (Tony) of Memphis, TN; a stepdaughter, Samm Tyler (Mike); her 5 grandsons, Joseph Keel (Susan), Jesse Keel, Vincent Keel, Ryan Keel, and Hunter Gordon; step grandmother to Zack Tyler (Ranee); and her 4 great-grandchildren, Ashton, Aryanna and Alexus Keel and Kacela Gordon, step grandmother to Damon, Devon and Dayton Tyler.

Along with her parents, Jean was predeceased by her husbands, Rence Keel and Lester Heltsley; her son, Michael Thomas Keel; her siblings, Marlene Chester (nee Powell) (Albert “Sonny”), Dan Powell and Chuck Powell; and her beloved Yorkie, Romeo.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 3:00 p.m. Monday, December 11, 2023, at the Catholic Church of Jesus Our Risen Savior, 2575 Reidville Road, Spartanburg, SC 29301, conducted by the Rev. Liam Panganiban. Jean will be buried alongside her husband Lester, in Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241.

Memorials may be made to The Shriners Hospital for Children-Greenville, 950 W Faris Rd, Greenville, SC 29605, or to the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America Rescue, 3926 W Touhy Ave, Suite 169, Lincolnwood IL 60712.

Floyd’s North Church Street