Jeanine M. Ligeko (Clerissi)

Jeanine M. Ligeko, 87, of Independence, MO passed away May 24, 2016 at her home. Visitation will be Friday, June 3, 2016 from 11:30-12:30 pm at St. Mark’s Catholic Church. A Memorial Mass will follow at 12:30 pm at the church. Jeanine was born on September 23, 1928 in Nice, France to Jean Louis Baptiste Clerissi and Ernestine Clotilde Marie Meyer. Jeanine grew up in war torn France, but still found ways to have fun. On such activity that gave her great joy was to sneak into German troop’s quarters with her friends and steal their clothes! In was in France that she met her 1st husband, Otis Victor Lingle and moved to the United States. She went to work for the Bundschu Department Store where she was manager of the cosmetics counter. It was there that she met Bess and Harry Truman, and became fast friends. Whenever Harry needed a translator, he would call on Jeanine. After the death of her husband, Victor, Jeanine went to work for Commerce Bank where she stayed for the next 20 years. She then met her 2nd husband, Jullian Ligeko. Jeanine was a tough lady who was head strong, but her softer side loved her flower gardens, and her many dogs. Survivors include daughter Susan Calvin, granddaughter Laura Lingle and husband Gary Ross, and a sister Andrea. Jeanine is preceded in death by her husbands Victor Lingle and Jullian Ligeko.