Jean Luella Wilkinson, 81, of Hermitage, passed away Sunday, January 9, 2022, in Nugent's Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Hermitage.

Mrs. Wilkinson was born January 25, 1940, in Sharon, a daughter of the late Francis L. Cooper and Dorothy Cooper Kimble. She was a 1958 graduate of Hickory High School.

Jean worked many years and retired from the Erie County Blind Association, Erie, PA, where she was an assembler in the warehouse.

Jean was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Hermitage.

She was a kindhearted person, who loved being around people, especially her family. Throughout her lifetime she fostered many children and eventually adopted two children with special needs. She also loved dogs, in particular, Boston terriers and golden retrievers. She was also a volunteer for the Humane Society of Mercer County, where she answered the phones and fostered many dogs.

Her husband, William Fernie Wilkinson, whom she married September 21, 1968, passed away March 22, 2008.

She is survived by three daughters, Susan Wilkinson, Oil City, PA, Melony Michael and her husband Mick, Mercer, and Sandy Wilkinson, Wicheta, KS; four sons, Edward Wilkinson and his wife Wanda, Chesnee, SC, Timothy Wilkinson and his wife Wendy, Huntsville, OH, and Matthew and Zachary Wilkinson, both of Hermitage; six grandchildren, Kyle Wilkinson and his wife Kaley, Jordan Wilkinson, Renae Magargee, and Tim, Bill and Bob Wilkinson; a brother, Rev. Dr. Phillip Cooper, Hermitage; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Jean was preceded in death by a son, William Francis "Billy" Wilkinson; and a sister, Irene B. Hudson.

The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to the National Association for Down Syndrome, 1460 Renaissance Dr., Suite 102, Park Ridge, IL 60068.

Calling hours will be 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service Thursday (01/13/2022) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 East State St., Sharon.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, in the funeral home, with her brother, Rev. Dr. Phillip Cooper, officiating.

Interment: Morefield Cemetery, Hermitage.