Jean Wilson

Jean, as she was known to family and friends, was the wife of Robert J. Wilson, who survives her along with her two sons, Chuck (Michaeleen) Wilson, of Cameron, Ohio, and Mark (Lisa) Wilson, of Orrville, Ohio.  In addition to her sons, Jean is survived by seven grandchildren including Steve Michael of Cameron, Megan (Chris) Bowman of Minneapolis, MN, and Lucas Wilson of Wheeling, along with Katheryn (Jared) Gerber of Canton, Ohio, Connor, Trevor and Colton Wilson of Orrville, OH.

 

Jean was born on April 7, 1937, to Arthur and Sylvia Archer in Pursley, WV, the third youngest of the nine children the couple was blessed with.  She graduated from Sistersville High School in 1956, and went to work for the Olin Matheson Corporation of Hannibal, Ohio as an Administrative Assistant.  It was while working there that she met her future husband, Robert, who was working next door at the F.H. McGraw Construction site of the Ormet Corporation.  Married on April 21, 1957, the couple resided in New Matamoras prior to moving to the Beallsville area.  

 

It was while living in Beallsville that Jean served the community as a council member, Vice President of council, and finally as Mayor of Beallsville, a position rarely held by a female in those days.  It was during this time that Jean, who had worked for Dairy Queen in Sistersville, began working for her father-in-law, Charles “Dutch” Wilson of Jerusalem at his ice cream business, the Midway-Drive Inn, while also raising her children while her husband, who was now working for Ormet Corporation as a Guard Sargent.  

 

Jean also served as a Cub Scout Den Leader; on the Beallsville PTA; member and then President of the Beallsville Band Boosters; member of the Pythian Sisters; and a member of the Jerusalem Methodist Church, and was instrumental in fund raising for the Vietnam Memorial at the Beallsville Cemetery.  Always driven to learn new things and to provide a better life for her family, Robert and Jean decided to bring Dutch’s business back to the family after several years of operation by two other families.  Jean’s love of cooking was reflected in the success of the Midway, as it was often referred to, by overflowing Sunday crowds, at times lining up out the door of the small restaurant, waiting to enjoy Jean’s always home cooked meals.  The business success, however, took a toll on her health and led to Jean pioneering one of the first pizza shops in Monroe County.  Named after her boys, the C&M Pizza Shop became a staple in the Beallsville area, and together with the Midway next door still serving the traditional drive-in food, was often found working past closing time with Jean manning the grill, Robert greeting the guest, and an ever growing extended “family” of people who can call the Midway the site of their first job.

 

Following another illness, brought on by the physical demands of the business, it was with much heartache for her and her family as well as the Beallsville and surrounding communities, that the decision was made to close the Midway and convert the business to the first of its kind for Monroe County, Amish style Bulk Food store, complete with a candy making and cake decoration section.  What else would someone like Jean do, but launch those areas of the business also, making candy for the holidays and baking, not just cakes, but other delicious pastries as well.  Upon her and Robert’s retirement, the couple fulfilled a life-long dream to settle in the Marietta area, staying in touch with their old friends while making many new ones.

 

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Sylvia, and seven of her siblings, Betty (Paul) Fetty, Stan (Jean) Archer, Loren (Gertie) Archer, Juanita (Robert) Goodfellow, Margaret (Jim) Kirkwood, June (Harold) Dally, and Glen (Judy) Archer.  

 

Surviving in addition to her husband, sons and their families are her youngest brother, Elliott (Carol) Archer and many nieces, nephews, and a large number of her “kids” that she had the privilege of employing at the business.

 

Visitation shall be in Marietta at McClure-Schafer Lankford Funeral Home, 314 Fourth Street, on Friday, January 20th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and at the Harper Funeral Home at 52728 Ohio Avenue in Beallsville on Saturday, January 21st from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Funeral service will be held on Sunday, January 22nd at 2 p.m. at Harper’s with internment to follow at the Jerusalem Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family request that friends make donations to the Gas Cards, Inc. c/o Shirley Brown, 48397 Keylor Hill Road, Woodsfield, OH 43793.