Jeannette (Billings) Houghtalen

Jeannette Houghtalen, 78, of Sayre, passed away Monday, November 18, 2024 after an extended illness. Born July 3, 1946 in Sayre, she was the daughter of Spencer and Velma Billings.

She was a graduate of Sayre High School and was a long-time member of the Athens Wesleyan Church, where she enjoyed singing in the choir and making meals as part of the hospitality team. She was a “team mom” for the Valley Twirler for many years, and she loved sewing and doing puzzles. Her biggest joy in life, however, was being a foster mom to more than 200 children over 35 years.

Jeannette is survived by her husband of 54 years, Roger Houghtalen, her 8 adopted children Beth Houghtalen of Athens, Elwin Houghtalen of Sayre, Melissa (Eric) Ulrich of Gillett, Jason Houghtalen of Sayre, Belinda (Nathan) Barnes of Blossburg, Harold Houghtalen of Moultrie, Georgia, Jamie (Steven) Thomas of Erie, and Jonathan (Carrie) Houghtalen of Waverly. She was incredibly proud of her 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Howard (Evalyn) of Phoenix, AZ and Irene (Charles-deceased) Churukian, of Rochester, NY.

Jeannette was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Jane (Howie-deceased) Smith and Eleanor (Allen-deceased) Stoddard, brothers Wayne (Norma) Billings, Don (Liz) Billings, Robert (Linda) Billings, and Steven Billings.

Friends and family may call Monday, November 25, 2024 at 11:00am at the Lowery-Urban Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., at 225 South Main Street, Athens, PA. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 with the Reverend Tim Butcher officiating. Burial will follow in Tioga Point Cemetery, Athens, PA.

Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Athens Wesleyan Church, 3903 Wilawana Road, Sayre, PA 18840.

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