Obituary of Elizabeth Jean Smith Campbell

Elizabeth Jean (Smith) Campbell, 86, of State College, died on Monday, May 9, 2016, at Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College. She was born April 25, 1930 in Indiana, PA, the daughter of Donald Richard and Virginia (Stewart) Smith. In December 1996, she married Merle E. Campbell, who died in 2006. She graduated from Etna (PA) High School and Stephens College in Columbia, MO. She received a bachelor's degree in fine arts from the Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University) Richmond, VA and a master's degree in library science from Rutgers University. Jean was an art teacher in the Richmond Public Schools from 1952 to 1959, assistant art historian at Smith College, Northampton, MA from 1961 to 1964 and the first Arts and Architecture librarian at the Pennsylvania State University from 1964 until she retired in 1989. She was an elder in the Presbyterian Church and most recently a member of the Upper Spruce Creek Presbyterian Church. Jean was also an active member of the Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana County, the Centre County Genealogical Society and the Centre County Historical Society, of which she was a board member. She had a love of old houses, particularly her mother's family home in Indiana. Jean was devoted to the support of historical preservation and animal welfare. Jean is survived by step-daughters Kay (Joel) Burd, of Centre Hall and Kim (Greg) Chaklos of Washington, PA. She is also survived by cousins Cornelia Davis of Pittsburgh, PA and Patricia (Joseph) Grabey of Carlisle, PA. Memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 19 at 2:00 pm at Foxdale Village, 500 E. Marylyn Ave., State College, with the Reverend Robert Hicks officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Indiana, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Centre County PAWS, 1401 Trout Rd, State College, PA 16801 or the Centre County Historical Society, 1001 E College Ave, State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.