In Memory of

Beverly

Jeanne

Stevens

Obituary for Beverly Jeanne Stevens

Beverly Jeanne (Sheetz) Stevens, formerly of Wyomissing and longtime resident of Oley, PA., passed away peacefully November 6, 2018 at Penn State St. Joseph Hospital where she had been a patient of one day.

She is survived by the love of her life, John B. Stevens III. They enjoyed 24 years of marriage, having found each other finally in 1992 and married in 1994.

Born September 15th, 1947 at West Reading, she was the daughter of the late Robert E. and Jeanne C. (Kowalski) Sheetz, Wyomissing.

A graduate of Wyomissing High School, Bev was awarded the Vera C. Bryant Memorial Scholarship in her 1965 senior year to attend Bryland Institute of Beauty Culture. She worked for 10 years at beauty shops in Berks County including her own shop.

A true businesswoman at heart, Beverly was self-employed most of her life. She began Imaginative Interiors , an automotive customizing service in 1975, The Village Craft Shop in 1985 as well as BJ Wann Designs, Ltd. In 1987. Known as “The Santa Landy of Oley” she designed and manufactured thousands of old world style Santas and seasonal characters as well as craft kits and patterns that she and John sold around the world under the Oley Valley Primitives label.

Beverly loved the Lord and celebrated him in her life in her own special way.

During her life she was a member of The Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County as well as The Historical Society of Berks County. She was a past President of the Ladies Auxiliary of The Oley Fire Company, a former member of The Oley Valley Woman’s Club. She served on The Berks County Armed Services Advisory Committee as well as The Parade Committee of The Berks County Vietnam Memorial.

Bev had a passion for her many pets during her life with a special fondness for shelter dogs and cats. She and John were known to spend time driving transports for shelter dogs from West Virginia to new homes in the Northeast. John always thought there was a “free cats” sign on the Pricetown road directing stays to their Main Street home in Oley.

Her passion for designing and teaching others to make crafts was a great joy in her life. She loved “cruising” with John and carried their wedding candle to many far away ports of call to be lit on their special day. They were lucky to have a special relationship and marriage.

She is survived by her husband John and her brother, Robert C. Sheetz and his wife, Sue Sheetz, Laureldale.

A Service will be held Monday, November 12, 2018, at 11a.m. at Kuhn Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 5153 Kutztown Road, Temple, with burial to follow at Charles Evans Cemetery. A viewing will be Monday from 10 to 11a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, Bev’s request is that a donation to the animal welfare society of your choice be made. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.