Barbara Jean Reese, 88, of rural Bellefonte, passed away on Monday, March 7, 2016 at the Mount Nittany Medical Center. Barbara was born on January 20, 1928, in Bellefonte, the daughter of the late Claude and Sarah Bierly Confer. On October 11, 1947, she married H. Marlin “Lefty” Reese, who preceded her in death on September 8, 2012. She was a homemaker, who enjoyed gardening, sewing, and cooking. Barbara graduated from the Bellefonte High School in 1946. She was a member of the Runville United Methodist Church.
Barbara is survived by her two daughters; Linda K. (Herbert) Emel of rural Bellefonte and Jean M. (Edward) Jagodzinski of Bel Air, MD; her son Dennis M. (Karen) Reese of rural Bellefonte; and her sister Katherine Brown of rural Julian. Also surviving are her eight grandchildren; Sarah Emel, Melissa Riccardo, Rebecca Emel, Sharon Coleman, Edward Jagodzinski, Jr., Nicole Unger, Ella Reese, Colleen Reese and her nine great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her two grandchildren, Caleb Reese and Jasmine Reese and her three sisters, Laura L. Johnson, Helen R. Witherite and Dorothy M. Fisher.
Services will be held at the Runville United Methodist Church, 1216 Runville Road, Bellefonte, Pa., on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. with Pastor Douglas W. Mellott officiating. Family and friends will be received at the Dean K. Wetzler Funeral Home, 201 Spring Street, Milesburg, Pa. on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and also one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in the Advent Cemetery, Boggs Twp., Centre Co., Pa.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Runville United Methodist Church, 1216 Runville Road, Bellefonte, Pa. 16823, in memory of Barbara Jean Reese.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dean K. Wetzler Funeral Home, 201 Spring Street, Milesburg, Pa.