Erma "Jean" Stellman

             Erma "Jean" B. Stellman, 99, a lifelong resident of Cranberry, died Monday evening, October 21, 2024 at Oil City Healthcare where she has made her home since 2008.

            She was born in Duke Center, Pennsylvania (McKean County) on March 13, 1925 to the late John C. and Lucy (Young) Bigler. 

            Jean was a 1944 graduate of Cranberry High School. 

            She was a longtime member of Cranberry United Methodist Church where she enjoyed singing in the choir; and was active with the former Cranberry Ladies Aid Group. 

            Jean enjoyed quilting, gardening, and oil painting. 

            She was a dedicated homemaker who cared for her family. 

            She was married on July 22, 1944 to Lester O. Covert, and he preceded her in death on May 30, 1969.  She later married Frank Stellman on February 20, 1971, and he preceded her in death on June 30, 2000.

            Jean is survived by two children:  James Covert and his wife Joann of Franklin, and Deborah Jack and her husband William of Sun City, Arizona; two step-children, Donald Stellman and his wife Sue of Jamestown, PA, and Sue Stellman of Ocean City, Maryland.  Four grandchildren survive, Michael and Mark Covert, William Jack II, and Christa Wilson and her husband Keith; step-grandchildren, Jeff Stellman, Leisa Huey and her husband Mike; a great-grandson, Garrett Wilson; two great-granddaughters, Lindsey Black and Jordan Kohler; and a great-great-granddaughter, Cora Black. 

            In addition to her parents and husbands, Jean was preceded in death by her sister, Rose Bell. 

            Visitation will be held Friday (Oct. 25) from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, where a funeral service will follow Friday at 1 p.m.  with Rev. William Hopkins, officiating.  Interment will follow in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens in Cranberry. 

            In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 (or online at www.alz.org).

            To express online condolences to Jean's family, visit www.hilebest.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Erma "Jean" Stellman, please visit our floral store.