Jessie Schmitthenner

Jessie Schmitthenner, of Dushore, PA and Williamsburg, VA, died suddenly Monday, June 14, 2021, at her apartment in Virginia. She was born Jessie May Walton in Pottsville, PA, on May 9, 1921, daughter of the late George D. and Dorothy I. (Lavenburg) Walton. She graduated from Pottsville High School in 1939 and Susquehanna University with a major in Music in 1943.

Jessie was predeceased by her husband, John William Schmitthenner, Jr, Esq. and a sister, Dorothy Griffiths. She is survived by her three children, Susanne Schmitthenner of Dushore and Haddonfield, NJ; Carolyn England (Atty. David) of Yorktown, VA; and John W. Schmitthenner, III (Brenda) of San Diego, CA. She had five grandchildren: Atty. Christian Schmitthenner (Candace), San Diego, Dr. Jared Schmitthenner (Dr. Jenny Philip) Madison, WI, Dr. Jennifer England (William Cumberland), Denver, Scott England (Becca), Lansdale, PA, and Shawn England, Wood Ridge, NJ. She delighted in her seven great-grandchildren: Samuel, Audrey, and John Schmitthenner, Julian and Miles Cumberland, and Elise and Celeste England.

Jessie was a music educator, having taught in Orbisonia, Sayre, and Camp Hill, PA public schools. A lifelong Lutheran, her vocation was as a church musician, directing choirs, playing the organ, and lending her voice to choirs in Zion, Tamaqua; St. John’s, Sayre; Trinity, Camp Hill; and most recently the three parishes of Shepherd of the Hills in Dushore, Mildred and Wilmot. Until her retirement from civic activities, she was a member of the Dushore Music Club, serving both state and national Federation of Music Clubs in the areas of sacred and chamber music. She was also active in her honorary music fraternity, Sigma Alpha Iota, serving several offices in Pennsylvania and mentoring college chapters.

Jessie loved her home on Dutch Mountain where she resided since 1978, first with her husband until his death in 2005, then living part-time in Virginia, where she was lovingly aided by her daughter Carolyn. She recently celebrated her 100th birthday, with a reception at her residence in Williamsburg, and then with a party for friends and family on Dutch Mountain.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Williamsburg June 28. Interment will take place at the Bella Sylva Cemetery on July 23 at 3pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Music Ministry, 612 Jamestown Rd, Williamsburg VA 23185, or the Sullivan County Food Pantry, PO Box 55, Dushore, PA 18614.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, PA 18614.

To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to homerfuneralhome.com.