 Jean Troemel passed away Jan. 18, 2018, in St. Augustine. She was born in Alma, Michigan, May 4, 1921, and was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Edna Wagner, her husband, Benjamin H. Troemel, and her brothers Jack Wagner and Robert Wagner. She is survived by her son, Benjamin H. Troemel Jr. (Tracy), daughter, Linda Lovelace (Charles), grandchildren Steven Huff, Staci Bracken (Pete), Sheryl Carter (Dana), and Greg Lovelace (Leslie), eight great-grandchildren, nephews John Wagner and Steve Wagner, niece Susan Wagner and grandnephew Eric Wagner.
Jean grew up in Alma, Asheville, North Carolina, and West Palm Beach. She lived in Miami Beach, Dallas, Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Albuquerque, N.M., Winter Haven and Orange Park, moving to St. Augustine in 1969. She married Homer H. Willhite in 1944 and Benjamin H. Troemel in 1962.
An extremely versatile and respected artist specializing in portraiture, she also painted many historical figures including Otto Lightner, founder of The Lightner Museum, and Bishop Verot, first Bishop of St. Augustine. She trained at The National Cathedral School, Washington, D.C., The Art Students League & National Academy of Design, New York, and The University of New Mexico. Jean taught private art lessons in her studios and at The Ridge Art Association, Winter Haven, The Jacksonville Art Museum, Florida, and Flagler College, St. Augustine. She also was an illustrator for The University of California and voluntarily taught art to returning World War II soldiers in hospitals in Palm Beach and Asheville.
Jean founded The Ridge Art Association, Winter Haven, in 1950, The PAStA Art Gallery, St. Augustine, in 1982 and The First Friday Art Walks. She was president of The Florida Artists Group twice, was elected as a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, London, in 1972, and is listed in The World's Who's Who of Women & The Directory of American Portrait Artists. She received numerous major art awards and her works are in private and corporate collections worldwide. Further information can be found on jeantroemel.com and floridaartistsgroup.org.
Jean was a positive person with gratitude for a full and happy life. A service will be held at Memorial Lutheran Church, St. Augustine, on March 23, 2018, at 11 a.m., followed by a reception at St. Augustine Art Association at 1 p.m. Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Memorial Lutheran Church or St. Augustine Art Association.
Craig Funeral Home, Crematory & Memorial Park (www.craigfuneralhome.com) is in charge of the arrangements.
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