Betty Jean (Ossman) Shuman, 84, of Pottsville passed away Saturday evening at her residence. She had been in ill health for the past year.

Born March 3, 1930 in Valley View, PA, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Rebecca (Ressler) Ossman. Upon the death of her father in 1940, she moved with her family to Pottsville. She attended Centre Street and Patterson Schools and was a 1948 graduate of Pottsville Area High School.

She worked as a telephone operator for the former Bell Telephone Company. She married Robert Daniel Shuman on June 28, 1952.

For many years she was a stay-at-home mother who was always involved in the many activities of her children. In the late 1960's she became a teacher's aide in the Schuylkill County Child Development program. She attended evening classes and received an associate's degree in child development. She later became a teacher for Child Development and then the county Head Start Program. During the latter part of her teaching career, she worked at the Duncott Center. She retired in 1992.

She was active member in Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville. She was one of the first women to serve on church council. She was a Sunday School kindergarten teach for over 40 years. She was a member of the choir, learning, stewardship, evangelism, and kitchen committees, Circle 3 Women of ELCA, altar guild, and senior travelers. She coordinated the church newsletter and served as a program organizer for the Sunday School and Strawberry Social.

She was a life member of the PTA having served at the former Yorkville Elementary School in Pottsville. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers and King's Daughters. She also volunteered for the Easter Seal Society for Crippled Children, American Cancer Society, and Lutheran Diakon. She was a dedicated member of the 1948 PAHS class reunion committee.

Betty will always be remembered for her untiring enthusiasm and genuine kindness. She never hesitated to give help to anyone. She always had a smile on her face and a positive attitude. She not only touched the lives of her family but also of hundreds of children and their parents. Her legacy is one of love and compassion.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bob, on November 11, 2009; brothers and sisters Marlin Ossman, Wrela Schaeffer, Ralph (Bill) Ossman, Elda Orndorff, Ellen Lebo, Erdie Pelachick, Emma Hepler, Beatrice Pelachick, and Charles Ossman.

She is survived by her children Deborah Reed, widow of Mark, Daniel and his companion Alda Howells, Lisa Grabowski, wife of Joseph, Harold and wife JeanAnn, Kurt and his companion Judi Simmons, and Erik and his companion Lisa Kral. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, Amy Reed, Philip Reed and wife Michelle, Christian Shuman and wife Erica, Jonathon Shuman, Julian and Jacqueline Grabowski, Vaughn Shuman, Kyle and Derek Shuman, and Erika Shuman. In addition, she is survived by two great-grandchildren, Hunter and Madison Reed. She is also survived by a brother Donald Ossman of Maine, Bernice Vadyak, Lansford, PA, Marjorie Ossman, Lancaster, PA; nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10AM on Friday, May 23, 2014 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville. There will be no calling hours prior to service. Private interment will take place at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Pottsville. Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution to the elevator fund and/or senior coordinator's fund of Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 W. Arch St., Pottsville, PA 17901.