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Birth:          15 Dec 1922 Ann Arbor, Mich.
Death:          16 Jan 2009 

Notes
!PUBL
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/k/i/n/Connie-J-
Kinnaman/FILE/0005page.html
findagrave
Jean Audrey Aspin Byron of Traverse City Michigan left this world on Jan. 16, 2009 at 
10 in the morning, surrounded by her family. The clouds parted and the sun shown on 
her face as she drew her last breath … It remained sunny the rest of the day. 

Jean was born in Ann Arbor on Dec. 15, 1922. She grew up on the family farm in 
Thomas Township near Saginaw with her two older sisters, Doris Aspin Burguyne and 
Pauline Aspin Muirhead, and her younger brother, Tom Aspin. She was the third child 
of Eva M. Hemmingway and Sedley E. Aspin. 

As a young person she was active in 4-H and won many ribbons for canning, pie 
making and sewing. She graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1940. From there 
she attended Michigan State University and for the rest of her days remained a true 
Spartan fan. 

She married her sweetheart, Robert J. Byron, on Dec. 31, 1943 while he was in flight 
school in Pensacola, Fla. He left for active duty flying off aircraft carriers in the 
Pacific and she returned home to the farm where their first daughter, Barbara, was 
born. When Rob returned, their second daughter, Jill, arrived. Jean and Rob were 
able to celebrate her 86th birthday and their 65th wedding anniversary shortly before 
she died. 

While the girls were growing up, Jean worked as a secretary in the Saginaw school 
system, first at Saginaw High School and later at South Elementary and Miller 
Elementary. She was active in the First Congregational Church and always had a 
strong faith which guided her through her whole life. 

When the girls went off to college, she and Rob made an exciting life with lots of 
friend and travel. In the 70's they went to Tehran, Iran with American Bell 
International where Rob helped put in the telephone system and Jean assisted in 
locating housing for other Americans. When the Ayatollah returned Jean helped 
evacuate the Americans. She and Rob were two of the last to leave. From there they 
traveled around the world and when they returned lived half the year in Englewood, 
Fla. and the other half in Gaylord on their 40-acre tree farm that her friends, Ag and 
Lynn Kleckner helped take care of the last few years. In 1993 they bought a home 
with a spectacular view on beautiful Old Mission Peninsula where she spent her final 
days. 

In 2002, Jean joined the Old Mission Women's Club where she was active until her 
death. She loved the club, the philanthropic projects she participated in and the 
women who gave so much to each other and the community. 

Jean was the consummate mom, and surrogate mom to many of the girls' friends who 
had lost their moms including Karyn Warsow of Gaylord. She was a loyal friend and 
loved to laugh … She loved jokes and having fun. She loved gardening, cooking (made 
wonderful jams and jellies with her friend Mary Melvin) and hand quilting with Mary, 
Louise McLenithan and several other friends. They'd stitch and laugh their way 
through many a quilt which were then raffled during church bazaars. Her daughters 
each treasure the quilts Jean made for them. A few years ago, Jean and Rob became 
steadfast members of the Presbyterian Church of Traverse City. Becky Chamberlin, 
assistant minister, helped the family so much during Jean's illness as did Hospice 
(Sarah and Kelly and the caregivers Barbara Jean, Sue and Dee). 

Jean was predeceased by her parents and two sisters. Her husband, Rob, remains as 
do her two children, Barbara Jean from Cape Meares, Ore. and Jill Christine from 
Traverse City. She is also survived by her brother, Tom Aspin (Geraldine) from Thomas 
Township; her brothers-in-law, John (Marie) Byron of Midland and Jordan (Nancy) 
Byron of Traverse City; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cherryland Humane Society, The Old 
Mission Women's Club, Hospice or the charity of one's choice. A celebration of Jean's 
life will occur in the spring, her favorite time of the year, and will be noticed in the 
paper. 

For all who had the privilege of knowing her and who loved her, she will be greatly 
missed. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
Charlevoix Courier (MI) - Monday, January 19, 2009

Parents
ASPIN Sedley E. ()
HEMMINGWAY Eva M. ()

Siblings
ASPIN Jean Audrey (15 Dec 1922 - 16 Jan 2009)

Marriage To BYRON Robert John ()

Notes

Parents
BYRON Clarence Carl (20 Jan 1894 - 5 Aug 1949)
AULT Arminda Rae (23 Feb 1896 - 14 Oct 1958)

Children by BYRON Robert John
BYRON Barbara Jean ()
BYRON Jill Christine ()

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