Jane Button Williams

Jane Button Williams, 97, of Antes Fort passed away peacefully on November 27, 2025 at Jersey Shore Geisinger Hospital. She was born Sept 2, 1928 in Wellsboro, PA, the daughter of Henry Howard and Frances Benjamin Button and later the stepdaughter of Marion Bosek Button. She graduated from Wellsboro High School and The Knox School in Cooperstown, NY. She also attended Syracuse University. In 1946 and 1947 she was selected to participate in the Miss Pennsylvania Pageant, first as Miss Wellsboro and then as Miss Tioga County.

In 1949 she married William F Williams, Jr and moved to his family’s farm in Antes Fort, where she lived until recently. After raising three children, she was employed at the Jersey Shore Hospital as an accounts manager and then office supervisor. Following her retirement, she opened an antique shop and a bed and breakfast at the farm.

In retirement, Jane and Bill were enthusiastic travelers. Switzerland and Nantucket were two of her favorite destinations.

Jane was a member of the Jersey Shore Presbyterian Church, where she was a choir member and deacon. She was active in numerous civic organizations, helping found the JS Garden Club, the JS Historical Society, and the JS Fourth of July Celebration. She was a past President of the Antes Fort Fire Company Auxiliary, the JS Hospital Auxiliary, the Junior Service Group, the JS Women’s Club, and the Rotary Anns. She served on the Nippenose Township Planning Commission and was township auditor for 40 years. She was a member of the Clinton County Country Club and an avid golfer and bridge player.

In recent years during Antes Fort Historical Days, Jane could be found holding court in the township office and talking about the Township Museum, which she helped organize. She was probably the oldest and longest tenured resident of Nippenose Township and still read the minutes of supervisors’ meetings with interest. She received a certificate from the County Office of Voter Services for having voted in every election for 75 years.

Jane was predeceased by her husband, Bill; by her sister, Nancy Spangler, and by her son, Henry. She is survived by a son, William F, III (Donna) of Chapel Hill, NC and a daughter, Susan Smith (Chalmers), of Pennsylvania Furnace; grandchildren, Maggie Pfitzenmaier of Lititz; former son-in-law, Mike Pfitzenmaier also of Lititz, Dr. Sarah Cascagnette (Brad), of Eugene, OR, Kate Stone (Pete) of Carrboro, NC, Evan Williams (Maria) of Summit, NJ, Griff Williams (Megan Michel) of River Forest, IL, Anna Williams (Carden Hedelt) of Durham, NC, Jennifer Mundis (Alex) of Avis, and Abram Williams, of Jersey Shore. She is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the Jersey Shore Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 13.

In lieu of flowers, Jane has requested donations in her memory to either the Jersey Shore Presbyterian Church 235 S. Main St., Jersey Shore or the Jersey Shore Public Library, 110 Oliver St., Jersey Shore. The family wishes to extend its thanks to the staff of Nippenose Valley Village for their care for Jane during the past year.

Arrangements are entrusted to Frederick B. Welker Funeral Home, Jersey Shore. www.WelkerFuneralHome.com.