Frances “Jean” (Browne) Clapper

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Frances “Jean” Browne Clapper 93, of Shelbina, passed away Wednesday, March 24th, 2021 at the Salt River Nursing Home in Shelbina, Missouri.

Jean was born October 7th, 1927, in Brunswick, Missouri, the daughter of Francis Marion Browne and Susan Elizabeth Corcoran Browne.  She was united in marriage to William “Bill” Notley Clapper on Jan. 15, 1949, in Lakenan.  She was preceded in death by Bill on May 14, 2016.

Jean attended schools in Clarence, Kansas City, and Hunnewell MO.  She graduated from Hunnewell High School in 1945.  She graduated from Chillicothe Business College in 1946 and worked in Kansas City for two years.  After marrying Bill, she managed the Western Telephone and Light Company, then the Phone Exchange in Hunnewell for several years.  Jean and Bill owned and operated Clappers Tavern from December 1953 to December 1979. Jean was the silent partner at Clappers Tavern, who not only spent untold nights tending bar, but also managed the books and did the behind the scenes work to keep everything running smoothly.  She was a devout Catholic who attended mass whenever possible and taught Catechism for many years.  In addition, she served as the treasurer for the St. Mary’s Altar Society.  Jean was also an adoring mother who built her life around her children.  She made every holiday and birthday special for her kids and spent countless hours planning themes and decorating her home for each special occasion.  Jean was a prolific writer who kept a diary, with the focus of almost every page being on her sons and grandchildren.  She spent countless hours attending her kid’s band concerts, baseball, basketball and football games.  After every game, no matter the result, she was there with a kind word and encouragement.  She was active in the Boy Scouts of America, first as a Den Mother and Patrol Leader then as a troop leader.  She spent what little free time she had outside in the yard with her flowers, watching birds, and making homemade ice cream and barbequing with her family.

Jean is survived by one son, Patrick William Clapper and wife, Tomoko, of Normal, Ill.; four grandchildren, Jennifer and Rachael Clapper of Normal, Sonya Mitts of Troy, Mo., and Erika Samson of Gerald, Mo; seven great-grandchildren; and one brother, John “Eddie” Edward Browne and his wife, Peggy  of Hillsboro, Illinois.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Elizabeth “Betty Sue” Susan Shumate, and son Michael Browne Clapper.

SERVICES: 11 a.m. Saturday, April 3^rd, at Greening-Eagan-Hayes Funeral Home in Shelbina, with Larry Mitchell as the officiant.  Burial will be in Shelbina Cemetery in Shelbina.

VISITATION: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home in Shelbina.

MEMORIALS: Shelby County Senior Center

ARRANGEMENTS: Greening-Eagan-Hayes Funeral Home, Shelbina.