Obituary of Claire Jean Behe

Claire Jean (Sheridan) Behe, 79, of State College died peacefully at home on July 7, 2015, after a 19 day battle with cancer. Born October 3, 1935 in Johnstown, PA, she was the daughter of the late Clair Eugene and Esther Marie (Burke) Sheridan of Cassandra, PA. She married John Michael Behe on August 31, 1957 who survives at home. Claire Jean was preceded in death by her brothers Patrick P. and Sherman (infant) Sheridan. She is survived by three children J. Mark (Andrea) Behe of Bloomfield Hills, MI, Bridget K. Behe (Jim Kruger) of Holt, MI, and Michelle A. Behe of Cape May, NJ. She is also survived by two grandchildren whom she adored, Kenneth Michael Kruger and Erin Faith Behe. Claire Jean was a 1953 graduate of Portage Area High School and was a graduate of the Johnstown Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1956. She retired in 1994 as a Registered Nurse from Center Community Hospital in State College, PA. Leading an active life of service to others, she was a volunteer nurse for the Red Cross Bloodmobile, provided extended care for her grandson after his premature birth, and was a member of Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church in State College, where she served as a Eucharistic minister and had leadership responsibilities for the hospital ministry at Centre Community Hospital. Claire Jean treasured the friendship of her classmates from Johnstown Mercy. A life-long learner, she was active with the Graduate Nurses Study Club and was an inveterate reader. She shared her love of music occasionally playing church organ at St. Agnes in Cassandra, PA. She was a member of Portage High School marching band, played piano at home, and sang in funeral choir. She enjoyed completing crossword & Sudoku puzzles and flower gardening. Visitation will be at Koch Funeral Home on Sunday, July 12, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, July 13, at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College with the Reverend Val Bradley officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Altoona, PA, at a later date, at the convenience of the family. The family thanks the professionals at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Cancer Center and Centre HomeCare Hospice. 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.