View Video Tribute Mary Maxine "Jean" Ferguson, 89, of Hamilton, IL died Thursday, April 23, 2009 at her home. She was born on August 15, 1919 in Canton, MO, the daughter of Henry and Nora Pierce Ward. She married Orville McKeown on September 4, 1938 in Kahoka, MO. On August 4, 1949, Jean was united in marriage to Paul Ferguson in Canton, MO. He preceded her in death in March of 1996. Jean began working at the age of 16 at Flora Thumb's Restaurant in Niota, IL. She then worked at the Ordnance Plant in Middletown, IA and also at Kavanaugh's gas station in Alexandria, MO. She and her husband Paul farmed together and also owned and operated Ferguson's Market in Wayland, MO. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Wayland, MO. Jean enjoyed sewing, cooking, watching racing, reading the Bible, going for rides in the car and going out to eat. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and loved spending time with her family. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She is survived by her daughter, Gwyn Jones of Hamilton, IL, two grandchildren, Angela Walker and her husband Robert of Burlington, IA, and Amy Walte and her husband Jeff of Keokuk, four step-grandchildren, Gerald James and his wife Kathy of Sutter, IL, Susan Glandon and her husband Doug of Alabama, Roma Jenkins and her husband Jon of Ft. Dodge, IA, and Stanley Hart of Ft. Dodge, IA, five great-grandchildren, Stephanie Evan Walker, Caitlyn, Justin and Camryn Walte, five step-great-grandchildren, Erin Mark James, Cara Cathcart, Katie John Jenkins, and three step-great-great-grandchildren, Aiden, August Ashland Osborne, a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Bertha Mae Glenn of Louisville, KY and several nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her son, Gary McKeown, five brothers and six sisters. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Tuesday at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA with Pastor Dan Deatrick officiating. Burial was in the Keokuk National Cemetery Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Wayland, MO.