Jean M. Petersen-Burkey

Jean M. Petersen-Burkey, 84 of New Paris, formerly of Richland and originally from Towanda, was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh. She was born October 12, 1925 in Sayre, daughter of the late Raymond W. and Georgianna E. (Marshall) Robinson.  On August 9, 1982 in Cumberland, MD, she married Arthur C. Burkey, and he survives along with a daughter, Sandra Jean Petersen of New Paris, and a son Ernest L. Petersen, III, married to the former Barbara McClain, two grandchildren; Dr. Elijah Joel Petersen of  Rockville, MD, and Rachel Lynn Vucic of  Mt. Joy, a step-granddaughter, Margo McClain Baumann of Pensacola, FL, four step-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law Joyce B. Kovach of Ebensburg.  She was preceded in death by her first husband, Ernest L. Petersen, Jr.  of Westmont, whom she married November 28, 1943.

Jean graduated from Clearfield High School in 1942.  She attended West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Penn State University, and earned both her B.S. in Secondary Education (English) and her Master’s degree as a Reading Specialist, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  She taught in the Westmont and Ferndale School Districts. The last 15 years of her teaching career, she taught English and Remedial Reading at the greater Johnstown Area Vocational-Technical School.  During that time she was invited to serve on the Pennsylvania State Reading Council of Codes and Ethics.  She was a member of the George Clymer Chapter of the D.A.R. in Towanda, the Johnstown Chapter #183 Order of the Eastern Star, VFW Ladies Auxilary Post # 4963 at Ebensburg and the Pennsylvania State Educator’s Retiree’s Association.  Since moving to Bedford County in 1990, she serverd as a volunteer at the shelter for domestic violence victims at Your Safe Have.  She was a member of the Crossroads Bible Church in Bedord.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel at Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford, with Pastor Mark Dillow officiating.  Entombment at Richland Cemetery.  Friends will be received on Friday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Saturday morning at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be to Crossroads Bible Church, Bedford, PA, c/o Pastor Mark Dillow, 1205 Wissinger Road, Alum Bank, PA 15521.  Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.