SELINSGROVE — Jean A. Rathfon, 90, of Grayson View, formerly of South High Street, went home to be at rest with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013.
Jean Alice Schrum was born March 2, 1922, in Manning, Iowa, the daughter of the late William and Alice (Kroger) Schrum.
She graduated from St. Anthony’s School of Nursing in Carrol, Iowa, in 1943. She was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps. From 1944-46, she served in the European Theater with the 103rd General Hospital in England and France. She was married in 1944 in England to the late Henry P. Brandau. Upon her discharge from the service, she and her husband lived in Hazleton and later relocated to Selinsgrove in 1950.
While living in Selinsgrove, she was employed at Blue Hill Retreat, Susquehanna University Health Center and Holly Peace Nursing Home, and for the rest of her career, she was administrator of the former Rathfon Convalescent Home.
After the passing of her first husband, Henry, in 1961, she married Mahlon Rathfon, who preceded her in death in March 1998.
She loved playing bridge and played with the same bridge club for almost 60 years. She enjoyed volunteering at the Mustard Seed and served from the time it opened until 2008. Jean traveled around the world with her husband, Mahlon, and enjoyed traveling with her grandchildren.
Jean was most proud of her service in World War II, as witnessed by her membership of more than 60 years in American Legion Post 25, Selinsgrove, and also in Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6631, Selinsgrove. Jean also was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, Selinsgrove.
Grandma Jean, or General Jean as some called her, led a courageous and inspirational life. She lived by the Golden Rule and was committed to help raise and educate her grandchildren, who were her greatest joy. She was a blessing to the world.
Jean is survived by her two daughters and one son-in-law, Carol J. Brandau-Sundling and Lynne A. Brandau and husband Kevin Bordner, all of Selinsgrove; one stepdaughter, Rebecca Rathfon, of Shiremanstown; one stepson, Jeffrey Rathfon, of Shamokin Dam; her daughter-in-law, Denise Brandau; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, Dena (Foltz) Rissman and husband Rick, of Whitefish, Mont., Brandy (Foltz) Tourville and husband Tyler and their son, Tiptin C., of Columbia Falls, Mont., Taya Sundling-Peek and husband Isrel and their children, Dalton G. and James B., of Roswell, Ga., Cara (Sundling) Crowther and husband Noah and their children, Sy B. and Poppy Jean, of Winnoski, Vt., Dione (Brandau) and Jason Mercer, of Selinsgrove, Sy Henry Brandau, of Winfield, Jeffrey “Jeffie” Rathfon, of Virginia, Cody Rathfon, of Selinsgrove, and Laura Rathfon, of Pennsylvania; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by one son, Jeffrey W. Brandau, husband of Denise Heiser-Brandau; her granddaughter, Tara Jean Foltz, in 1990; and two brothers, Ray and Donald Schrum.
Friends and family may call from 11 to noon Monday at Christ United Methodist Church, where the funeral will follow at noon with the Rev. Ryan Gephart officiating.
Burial with military rites accorded by American Legion Post 25 and VFW Post 6631 will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 429 N. Eighth St., Selinsgrove, PA 17870.
Arrangements are by the V.L. Seebold Funeral Home, 601 N. High St., Selinsgrove.
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Jean A. Rathfon, 90, Selinsgrove
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