Graveside services were held Tuesday for Jeanne Lillian Rachel Tamplin, former owner, publisher and managing editor of the Marco Eagle. Her husband, Bill, co-founded the newspaper with Raymond Henle in 1968. Within a year, Henle was out of the picture and the Tamplins became the powerhouse behind the newspaper’s early success.

Jeanne (Staub) Tamplin, 85, was born in Allentown, Pa., on Aug. 26, 1927. She became a registered nurse, enlisting in military service during World War II. Because the war ended before she could be assigned, she never served overseas or in combat.

She was able to use her nursing skills as a flight attendant for three major airlines: American Airlines, American Overseas, and Pan American. American Overseas Airlines operated routes from the United States to Europe from 1945-1950, and Pan American operated until 1991. Through her work, Jeanne Tamplin was able to travel worldwide and experience diverse cultures.

She used her skills to advance to Pan American’s medical office where she stayed until she became postmaster of a U.S. Post Office in Hewitt, N.J. After her marriage to Bill Tamplin, a former New York Times employee, the couple moved to Marco Island in 1967.

“Marco Island was a pioneer town then,” Herb Savage recalled. “The island had only been opened in 1965.”

The Tamplins purchased a Deltona home and blended into the fabric of a growing and thriving island. The two were active in sports, social organizations, philanthropy and church. Like women of her day, Jeanne Tamplin supported her husband’s activities but allowed him to claim the limelight. The couple later moved to a home on Jamaica Road.

“The first time I met Jeanne we were both walking our dogs,” said a neighbor who lived on Yellowbird Street. “She showed me a road, and said not to take my dog down it because gators were mating and the dog would get eaten.”

Bill Tamplin continued as publisher of the Marco Eagle after The New York Times Company purchased it in 1973. Jean Tamplin continued as managing editor. After Bill Tamplin’s death in 1982, she succeeded him as publisher until retiring in 1983.

Because Jeanne Tamplin never learned to drive, her older sister, Kathryn Staub, came to live with her. Staub was five years older than her sister and the two enjoyed their time together with social activities, crossword puzzles and sports. Jean Tamplin had no other family and no children. Staub died in 2000, and Jeanne Tamplin moved off the island to Lely Palms in Naples.

Jeanne Tamplin was a lifelong Lutheran, baptized at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Allentown, and later attended Marco Lutheran Church on island.

“Jeanne often talked about the significance of her faith,” said Rev. Kevin Koenig, senior pastor at Marco Lutheran Church, “She preplanned her memorial service right down to choosing the readings and songs.”

Gail Cacciola, parish nurse at Marco Lutheran Church, visited Jeanne Tamplin regularly.

“She was a very quiet, humble, gentle and sweet woman who was content with life,” Cacciola said. “She had an extensive collection of Hummel figurines that she called her ‘babies.’”

Savage praised Jeanne Tamplin at her eulogy.

“What a great service she gave us starting and working with the Marco Island Eagle,” he said.

Cacciola wanted her friends to know that even though Jeanne Tamplin did not have living family, she did not die alone.

“I was there with her and I said, ‘Jeanne, it’s time to go.’ I held her in my arms, and then she died. She died with sweetness, dignity and quietness. For any of us to go that way is a blessing.”