Jean Perkins

Jean S. Perkins, 87, a resident of the Shippensburg Health Care Center, died on the morning of Wednesday, January 18, 2012, at the Health Care Center.

She was born on June 28, 1924, in Rochester, PA, the daughter of the late Carl E. and Florence O. Dunbar Smith. A graduate of Rochester High School, Jean then met and married Dr. Harold C. Perkins on June 6, 1952 in Beaver Falls, PA. Jean became a homemaker as she and Harold, a psychology professor at Shippensburg University and Geneva College, raised their family together. He preceded her in death on July 16, 2000.

Jean was a long time member of the Messiah United Methodist Church, Shippensburg. She kept herself busy working as a lunch aide at the Shippensburg Area High School and a noon time aide at the James Burd Elementary School. Jean and Harold were foster parents and she was also an in-home child care provider for many years. Jean was very fond of both children and animals.

She is survived by two sons, David P. Perkins and his wife Victoria N. and Allan L. Perkins and his wife Sheryl, both of Shippensburg; one daughter, Karen S. Perkins and David E. Dunston of Elkridge, MD; and four grandchildren, Laura (Peter) Dayok of Shippensburg, Andrew Perkins of Coraopolis, Justin (Rose) Perkins of East Stroudsburg, and Brandon (Beth) Perkins of Owings Mills, MD.

Her memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at the Messiah United Methodist Church, Shippensburg. The Rev. L. Fitzgerald Reist, II and Rev. Dr. Francis H. Norton will officiate. Interment will be in the Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Thursday, at church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Messiah United Methodist Church at 30 South Penn St. Shippensburg, PA 17257 or the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter at 2325 Country Road Chambersburg, PA 17202.