Jean Bernadine (Wharton) Sunderland

Jean was born to Cloyd Thomas Wharton and Izetta Matilda (Harter) Wharton on June 2, 1927 in Little Green Briar, Newton Hamilton. Jean was the eldest of of her sisters Helen, Dorothy, and Linda.

Growing up on a small farm, Jean often shared memories of her mother’s baking and garden, her fathers hard work on the railroad, her time spent with her grandmothers, LouElla and Alice. Jean graduated from Mount Union High School in May 1946.

Jean joined the Atkinson Mills United Methodist Church in High school and became the treasurer of her Sunday school class in 1975. She greatly enjoyed attending Sunday school and church services.

Jean was united in marriage to Lewis Carl Sunderland on May 27, 1946. They went on to have 2 children, Ronald Lee and Delmont Rae. Together, they ran a productive farm for many years in Alfarata.

After selling the farm in Alfarata, they moved back to the family homestead in McVeytown to be near family and friends.

Jean became a cook at the Blind Camp during the summers and went on to work as a cook part time for the Mount Union Area School District. She then went on to work for World Marketing of America.

Jean loved to cook, bake, and tend to her garden. Pies were her specialty. She fed many farm hands, friends, and family throughout the years.

Fishing and hunting were a big part of her life as well. She shared many memories of her time spent beside or in streams and in the woods throughout her life. Jean became a member of the Newton Wayne Fire Company Auxiliary where she enjoyed preparing meals for events and socializing with friends for many years.

Jean joins her parents Cloyd and Izetta, husband Lewis, son Ronald, sister Helen and various family and friends in Heaven.

She is survived by many loving family members including her son Delmont Sunderland of Huntingdon and partner Sandra Cohenour and daughter in law Mary Sunderland of McVeytown.

Jean’s grandchildren meant a lot to her life and include Alan Sunderland of Lewistown and wife Lori, Candid Carper of Tyrone and husband Jason, Tiffany Sunderland of Wilmington, NC and partner Jason, Janelle Grange of Indian Harbour Beach, FL and husband Kevin. She was also blessed with step grandchildren Tom Hesketh and wife Darleen, Dan Hesketh, Scott Hesketh and Lydia Brosius and husband Correy. Great-grandchildren Colton, Jackson, Damien, Silas, Jionni and Curtis brought her much joy in her later years.

Jean’s life was also filled with an abundance of love from pets including two special dogs Susie and Ellie Mae.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022 at Harshbarger Funeral Home, 3 South Market Street McVeytown, Pa 17051 with Pastor Faith Anderson officiating.

Interment will be in Juniata Memorial Park, Lewistown.

A viewing will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Monday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Atkinson Mills United Methodist Church, 3405 Ferguson Valley Rd, McVeytown, Pa 17051 or the Newton Wayne Fire Company Auxiliary, 127 Kinsloe Ave, Newton Hamilton, Pa 17066.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.harshbargerfuneralhome.com.