Ethel Chambers Calkins, 99, of Corning died April 26, 2011, at Alegent Health Mercy Hospital in Corning.
Celebration of life services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the United Methodist Church in Corning. The Rev. Heecheon Jeon and the Rev. Gerald Wiser will officiate. Interment will be in Lincoln Center Cemetery. Open visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. Friday with family present 6 to 8 p.m. at Pearson-Coen-Beaty Family Funeral Service, 701 Seventh St., Corning. Memorials may be given in Ethel's name. Online condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.
Ethel Chambers Calkins, daughter of Sadie Amelia (Denham) and Rollie Henry Chambers, was born Feb. 27, 1912, in Massena.
As a child, Ethel attended rural schools in Massena Township/Pine Grove neighborhood. She graduated from Massena High School. After graduation, Ethel taught school for six years.
On May 25, 1939, Ethel married Dale Calkins in Carl.
After their marriage, they farmed in Lincoln Township in Adams County.
In 1953, they bought and moved into the farm home that was purchased by Dale’s grandfather in 1873, making them the third generation to live on the same farm. In 1973, it became a century farm.
Ethel was a member of Lincoln Center United Methodist Church, Lincoln Center Ladies Aid, Rose Ann Auxiliary, Extension council member, Happy Housewife Club, Get Acquainted Club and Cumberland Federated Garden Club. Ethel was a 4-H Leader, Lincoln Township Republican chairperson and delegate to state convention.
Ethel is survived by her children, Janice Calkins of Corning, Jean (husband Larry) Tietz of Griswold, Jackie (husband Bruce) Mentzer of Schaller and Doug (wife Elaine) Calkins of Cumberland; grandchildren, Deidre Tietz, Jamie (wife Mandi) Calkins, Andrea (husband Corey) Yearington, Sara (husband Chad) Steinkamp and Mitch (wife Jenn) Mentzer; great-grandchildren, Spencer, Logan and Dalton Calkins, Hunter and McKenna Yearington and Josie Ann and Jamison Steinkamp; sister-in-law Rosemary Wilcynski of Tacoma, Wash.; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Ethel was preceded in death by her husband in 2008; grandson Marc Calkins; parents; and sisters, Edna Lantz, Emma Garside, Evelyn Devereaux and Edith McPherren.