Jennie A. Reese

Jennie Reese (formerly Hovencamp), 96, of Bethlehem, PA., died Tuesday, May 18th after a brief illness. Born in Philadelphia, PA, to the late Carlo and Mary DeMario, Jennie grew up along with her brothers and sisters behind the family grocery store in Franklin, NJ. She graduated from Franklin High School in 1943, and after the war, wed another Franklin native, her first husband, George Hovencamp. They were married for 46 years and raised their five children mostly in Franklin, Rome, NY and Frelinghuysen Twp., NJ. After being widowed for a few years, she met and married her second husband, the late Samuel Reese. They resided in Marshall's Creek for most of their 23 years together before moving to Bethlehem. Jennie is also predeceased by sisters, Mary DeMario and Esther Reed, brothers Bartholomew, John and Matthew DeMario and grandson Charles Fundell (Angel). She is survived by daughters Jeanne Blicharz (Bogdan), Mary Provdo (Glenn), and Carol Baxter (Herbert); sons, Robert Hovencamp and Michael Hovencamp (Patricia), nephews Matthew DeMario, Carlton Reed (Maxi), Edward Gibson and James Cameron, nieces, Donna DeMario, Deborah Hall, Robin Davenport, and Deborah Cameron. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren: Steven Hovencamp, Chris Hovencamp (Kathy), Kimberly Hovencamp, Katie Hovencamp, Jesse Baxter, Stephen Blicharz, Joseph Provdo (Bethany).Jennie Reese (fomerly Hovencamp), 96, of Bethlehem, PA., died Tuesday, May 18th after a brief illness. Born in Philadelphia, PA, to the late Carlo and Mary DeMario, Jennie grew up along with her brothers and sisters behind the family grocery store in Franklin, NJ. She graduated from Franklin High School in 1943, and after the war, wed another Franklin native, her first husband, George Hovencamp. They were married for 46 years and raised their five children mostly in Franklin, Rome, NY and Frelinghuysen Twp., NJ. After being widowed for a few years, she met and married her second husband, the late Samuel Reese. They resided in Marshall's Creek for most of their 23 years together before moving to Bethlehem. Jennie is also predeceased by sisters, Mary DeMario and Esther Reed, brothers Bartholomew, John and Matthew DeMario and grandson Charles Fundell (Angel). She is survived by daughters Jeanne Blicharz (Bogdan), Mary Provdo (Glenn), and Carol Baxter (Herbert); sons, Robert Hovencamp and Michael Hovencamp (Patricia), nephews Matthew DeMario, Carlton Reed (Maxi), Edward Gibson and James Cameron, nieces, Donna DeMario, Deborah Hall, Robin Davenport, and Deborah Cameron. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren: Steven Hovencamp, Chris Hovencamp (Kathy), Kimberly Hovencamp, Katie Hovencamp, Jesse Baxter, Stephen Blicharz, Joseph Provdo (Bethany), Diana Gorbe' (Robert) and a great grandson, Joshua Osborne. Jennie lived a long and happy life as a devoted wife and mother. Her greatest joys were her family, gardening, playing the piano, and making people laugh (many times at her husband or children's expense). She always brought a smile and a song to all of those who met her. She was cherished by her loved ones and friends and will be greatly missed. Memorial services will be held on Saturday May 22, 2021 from 12:00noon to 1:00pm at the Bensing-Thomas Funeral Home, 401 North 5th Street, Stroudsburg