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. in 2005, and a sister, Dorothy Griffiths (Pottsville). She is survived by her three children, Susanne Schmitthenner of Dushore, PA 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 multiple Pennsylvania public schools. A lifelong Lutheran, her vocation was as a church musician, directing choirs, playing the organ, and lending her voice to choirs in parishes throughout eastern Pennsylvania. Until her retirement from civic activities, she was active in the Dushore Music Club, the National Federation of Music Clubs. and her honorary music fraternity, Sigma Alpha Iota, serving several offices in Pennsylvania and mentoring college chapters.
Jessie recently celebrated her 100th birthday, with a reception at her residence in Williamsburg, and then with a party for friends and family at her home on Dutch Mountain, PA.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Williamsburg, Monday, June 28 at 2pm. Calling hours will be at a reception following the service. Interment will take place at the BellaSylva Cemetery in PA 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.