Jean B. Welling, 80, of Centre Hall, was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Born in Washington, PA, on February 21, 1946, she was the daughter of the late John Harold Brownlee and Mary Craig Brownlee Baker. She was a 1964 graduate of Chartiers Houston High School and a 2004 graduate of Penn State University. On September 3, 1965, she married Thomas W. Welling, who survives.
Jean worked in retail for many years, having been a familiar face at K-Mart and an assistant manager of David Weis Jewelers. In 1986, she began working in Student Affairs at Penn State, from where she retired in the spring of 2012. She was a Notary Public serving Penn State students. She enjoyed writing stories for her grandchildren, and poetry, some of which was published in assorted poetry collections. She and her husband enjoyed camping at Hidden Valley Camping Resort in Mifflinburg and spent much of their summers there.
She was a member of the Family Life Church of Penns Valley and the Church at Hidden Valley, both of which she served in various capacities. She was very involved with the card ministry at church. She was a cancer survivor and volunteered for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as a neighborhood solicitor. She enjoyed socializing, wine tastings, and sewing. She was small but mighty, full of humor, a touch of sass, and an overwhelmingly large heart that allowed her to love fiercely and generously give of herself whatever she could.
Along with her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Penny D. Welling of Centre Hall; a son, Paul C. Welling, wife Laurie, US Navy Retired, of Seattle; two grandchildren, Alicia Folk and Ethan Shawley; one brother, Edward Brownlee (Joyce) of Arizona; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Along with her parents, Jean was preceded in death by two brothers, Rev. Dr. John C. “Jack” Brownlee and William Brownlee.
Friends and family will be received on Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 10am – 12 noon at the Family Life of Penns Valley Church in Spring Mills. A funeral service will immediately follow at 12 noon with Pastor Sam Reese officiating. She will be laid to rest privately at the Normalville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Pregnancy Resource Clinic, 423 S Pugh St., State College, PA 16801 or to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbara Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Inc of Centre Hall. To share memories and condolences online, please visit daughenbaughs.com.