Jean Atts

Jean Atts, age 97, was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Wednesday evening, May 13, 2026, at her home in Oil City with her beloved devoted children by her side.

Born on November 24, 1928, in Oil City, the daughter of Ray and Alma (Sawatsky) Osterman, Jean graduated from Oil City High School in 1946, and worked at Woolworth’s Department Store, starting in the Glass department and leaving as Assistant Manager. Jean married Harold E. Atts on April 12, 1951, in a stunning dark blue wool suit, and worked alongside him as bookkeeper/accountant for his business, Atts Auto Parts and Used Cars, on Riverside Drive in Oil City.

Jean was a devoted wife, mother of two, grandmother of five, and great-grandmother of six. She gladly welcomed and loved the spouses of her children and grandchildren, and kept track of all her family and their activities, always concerned that they were doing well.

Jean was predeceased by her husband, Harold Atts, in 2005, and by her parents, Ray and Alma Osterman; brothers, James Osterman, Ray Osterman, Harold (Abe) (Josephine) Osterman, and Arnold (Wilda) Osterman; and in-laws, Norma (Don) Boyer and Leland (Beulah) Atts. She is survived by her daughter, Gail (Nicholas) Kraus of McKean, PA, and son, James (Kathleen) Atts of Oil City, PA; grandchildren, Emily (Brian) Bartlett of Mercer, PA, Joel (Brittany) Kraus of Burbank, CA, Angela (Chad) Bootes of Wattsburg, PA, Tiffany (Bill) Wested of Kennerdell, PA, Trisha (Evan) Asche of Oil City, PA; great-grandchildren, Everett Bartlett, Parker Bartlett, Claire Bootes, Benjamin Bootes, Abigail Bootes, and Amaya Wested; and several nieces and nephews.

A firm believer of Jesus as her personal Savior, Jean had a strong Christian faith, and was a lifelong member of Christ Lutheran Church in Oil City and an active member of the Ladies’ Aid Group. She was a lovely well-loved lady who modeled God’s love to everyone she met.

Jean enjoyed baking and cooking for family, friends, and neighbors and was especially known for her cookies, pies, baked beans, and rice pudding. She never let even drop-in visitors go hungry – she would whip up a delicious meal in a heartbeat! Her kind and gentle spirit was appreciated by all who met her, and many say that she was the nicest person they had ever met. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Funeral arrangements will be held at Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 PA-257, Seneca, PA 16346. Family and friends are invited to the visitation there on Monday, May 18, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., her funeral service at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 19 at 10:30 a.m.; and a remembrance gathering at Christ Lutheran Church at 12:30 p.m. following the funeral. The funeral service will be officiated by Pastor Barry Keurulainen of Christ Lutheran Church. Interment will be held at Brandon Cemetery in Cranberry. 

Memorial donations may be made to Christ Lutheran Church,1029 Grandview Rd., Oil City, PA  16301; and condolences may be sent to Jean’s family online by visiting www.hilebest.com

Jean's family sends a special thank you to the VNA of Venango County Hospice team who cared for her.

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