Born April 15, 1926 in Bigler, PA she was a daughter of the late Reuben and Mary Ethel (Williams) Smeal.
Jean was a 1944 graduate of Clearfield Area High School.
On January 20, 1946, she married Donald “Don” Eugene Wilkinson, with whom she shared 69 years of marriage before his passing in 2005.
She was employed by The Progress in Clearfield and worked at Pennshire Clothes in Philipsburg for over 20 years.
When younger, Jean loved camping with Don and the kids. She loved to sing and enjoyed her choir time at the Bigler United Methodist Church, and singing with her sisters, Maxine, Rachel, and Shelia. Jean also loved to play cards, and usually would win at any game she played.
Jean was a very generous, caring, and loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother. She was an active member of several grange organizations, religious women’s groups, and was an elected official for the Board of Elections.
Surviving is her son, Eugene Wilkinson and wife Karen of Brandon, FL; her daughter, Sandra Rishell and life partner Elizabeth Steffy of Mill Hall, PA; and her daughter, Rosemary Wheeler and husband Bennett of Riverview, FL; five grandchildren, Brian Hile, Barton Hile, Darren Provan, Kristen Wilkinson, and Tracey Rishell; seven great grandchildren, Alek, Amber, Dillon, Chase, Sydnee, Hudson, and Calliope; two step-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Maxine Shimmel of Philipsburg, PA, Rachel Smith of Morrisdale, PA; Shelia Wisor of Bigler, PA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three sisters: Vivian Williamson, Virginia Leidy, Pauline Neff and two brothers: Jack Smeal and Orville Smeal.
Live Well Celebrated Funeral Services will be held at the Bennett & Houser Funeral Home, Inc. on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 2:00 PM with Pastor T.J. McCabe officiating. Interment will be in Bigler Cemetery.
Friends will be received at the funeral home on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 from 12:00 PM until the hour of services.
The family requests that COVID requirements be observed with masking and social distancing.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Clearfield County SPCA, 275 21st St, Clearfield, PA 16830.
Arrangements are under the care of the Bennett & Houser Funeral Home, Inc., Clearfield.
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