On June 10, 1943, Jean married Evers Shank at the First Evangelical Church. The ceremony was conducted by Rev. Miller. Following a brief honeymoon Jean and Evers traveled by train to California where Evers was stationed in World War II. Jean returned to Carlisle for a short but painful period when Evers served in the war effort, and, following the war, Evers also returned to Carlisle, where they spent sixty- two years of marriage before Evers passed away in 2005. During their many years of marriage Jean and Evers were animal lovers, and Jean was seldom without a pet cat. Recently, Missy was her most loved cat friend. A highlight of Jean and Evers's relationship was the ability to dance together, and Jean was an exceptional jitterbugger as she and Evers enjoyed the big band sounds of Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller. She graduated from Carlisle High School in 1943, where she was involved in student government, choir and basketball. Jean worked at Bixler Hardware store from 1943-1945, and at Penney's Department store from 1946-1952. Finally, she worked at Cumberland Valley Savings and Loan from 1962-1982.

Over the years Jean was involved in many activities. She was a Carlisle Hospital volunteer for 20 years and served as treasurer of the hospital auxiliary. She was a Dolphin visitor at the former Cumberland County Nursing Home and Hospice volunteer. As a longtime member of Grace United Methodist Church, Carlisle, she was active in the United Methodist Women and served as treasurer of her Sunday School Class. She was a volunteer for the Leukemia Society, Cancer Society, March of Dimes, and Samaritan Fellowship. For her children she served as Cub Scout volunteer, Girl Scout leader, and Stevens School room mother. In 1988, Jean was named The Sentinel Volunteer of the Year.

Jean is survived by daughter, Beth A. Shank and her partner, Terry Wise, of Frankford, DE, a son Allen Shank and wife, Ellen (Dete) of Carlisle, granddaughter, Jenna Shank of Portland, ME, brother-in-law, William E. Shank of Carlisle, sister-in-law, Doris Monismith of Carlisle and brother-in-law, William Riggs and wife, Wendy of Mechanicsburg. Jean was predeceased by her brother, Paul Monismith and her sister, Doris Getz.

Funeral services will take place at Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, 630 S. Hanover St., Carlisle on Saturday, February 23, 2013. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. followed by a service at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Jennifer McKenna, a dear family friend will officiate. Burial will be in the Westminster Memorial Gardens, Carlisle. The family wishes to acknowledge the tender and compassionate care given to Jean during her recent years at Country Meadows in Mechanicsburg and Thornwald Home in Carlisle. We could not have asked for more professional or deeply committed nurses, aides, and administrators than we experienced at these two wonderful care facilities. Memorial contributions may be sent to Grace United Methodist Church, Carlisle or The Carlisle Theater.