Patsy Jean Steckler Bean, 73, of Salem, VA, passed away Thursday, December 10, 2009. She was born November 1, 1936, in Fredericksburg, VA, daughter of the late Russell K. & Virginia Hart Steckler. She was a 4-H All Star and graduated from Spotsylvania High School. Mrs. Bean was the first female cheerleader on the V.P.I. campus and lived in the "Skirt Barn" while attending college and earned her B.S. degree in Home Economics in 1958. In 1983, she completed her M.A.L.S. degree at Hollins University. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Salem and attended Greene Memorial United Methodist Church. Mrs. Bean was a preschool teacher at First United Methodist Church, worked for T.A.P., Franklin Memorial Hospital as Director of Food Service and Brandon Oaks as Director of Food Service. She was Regent of the Fort Lewis Chapter of D.A.R. She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Donald James Bean; two sons & daughters-in-law, James Earl & Michelle Bean and Donald & Jaime Shelton; daughter, Jamie Tiki Smith; brothers, R.K. Steckler and Edward Steckler; six grandchildren, Zachary, D.J., Laura and Patti Smith and Hannah and Daniel Shelton. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, December 14, 2009, at the Chapel of John M. Oakey and Son, Salem with the Rev. Gary Robbins and the Rev. Bobby Pickle officiating. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Sunday, December 13, 2009, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mrs. Bean's memory to the Patsy J. Bean D.A.R. Scholarship, Salem Educational Foundation and Alumni Association, PO Box 1461 Salem, VA. 24153.

ROANOKE TIMES, Sun, Dec 13, 2009