Jeanette F. Dourte

Jeanette Frey Dourte entered heaven on Friday, January 8, 2016 at Messiah Village, Mechanicsburg. She was born on February 21, 1921 to Frederick F. and Myrtle Earhart Frey, at Turkey Hill, in Conestoga, PA. Jeanette was the wife of the late Rev. Allon B. Dourte.
Jeanette graduated from the former Manor High School (Millersville) in 1938. After marrying Allon Dourte in 1942, they moved to the Dourte Family farm near Manheim, PA. During World War II Jeanette accompanied Allon to Greystone Park State Hospital, Morristown, NJ where they worked as attendants in Civilian Public Service for four years until February of 1946. In 1950 Allon was chosen by vote to serve as pastor in the Manheim Brethren in Christ Church. Jeanette adapted well to the role of pastor’s wife, entertaining guest speakers in her home, typing the weekly church bulletin, and teaching Sunday school. Allon and Jeanette also served at Conoy BIC and in interim pastorates at Cross Roads, Pequea, and Bethel Springs BIC Churches.
Jeanette was a dedicated, sincere, gentle Christian lady with a beautiful smile. She worked diligently to assist the family in doing dairy farm chores, planting, freezing, and canning garden vegetables and fruit, and sewing clothing for the family and others. In recent years she created numerous patchwork quilts using fabrics remaining from former sewing projects. She enjoyed classical and religious music and sang in various small groups and choral settings. Allon and Jeanette and their children sang a cappella as a family at church, camp meetings, and hymn sing events. She made teaching Biblical principles to her family a priority. She dramatically read Bible stories to the family during the morning family worship and encouraged memorization of Bible passages. She enjoyed creating photo albums and journaling each day. Jeanette put others in front of herself and was a loving mother and cherished friend.
Jeanette is survived by her children: Phyllis and husband Jay Wissler of Danville, PA, Elma and husband Karl Hess of Conestoga, PA, Lamar and wife Susie (Noll) Dourte of Manheim, PA, and Alice and husband David Lauver of Conestoga, PA; a brother Fredrick M. Frey of Salisbury, MD; 7 grandchildren: Konrad, Jonathan, Amy, Allison, Michael, Matthew, and Rebecca; 9 great-grandchildren: Dominic, Madelyn, Emily, Klara, Connor, William, Kiersten, Joselyn, and Colton.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend her viewing at the Buch Funeral Home, 21 Market Square, Manheim on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 10:00 AM, followed by a graveside service at Mastersonville Cemetery, 1969 Mastersonville Road, Manheim at 11:00 AM. A public memorial service will be announced at a later date at Messiah Village, Mechanicsburg. Those desiring may send contributions in Jeanette’s memory to Brethren In Christ Missions, Grantham USA Office, 431 Grantham Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-5812. (Make checks payable to: General Conference of the BIC, Inc.)

Memorial services for Jeanette F. Dourte, who passed away on January 8, 2016, will be held at Messiah Village Chapel, 100 Mt. Allen Drive, Mechanicsburg on SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 at 3:00 PM. Friends may visit with the family at the chapel from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.