OBIT: Jean (JOHNSON) SLENKER, 1998, formerly of Somerset County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Meyersdale Library Transcribed and proofread by Richard Boyer Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/ _______________________________________________ SLENKER Jean J. Slenker, 67, of Indiana, died Sept. 18, 1998, in Montefiore Hospital, UPMC, Pittsburgh. She was survived by her husband, Robert E. Slenker; an identical twin sister, Joan J. Kyes of Pittsburgh; brothers Ernest C. Johnson Jr. of Somerset and his wife Helen Rock Johnson; James L., Johnson of Morro Bay, Calif., and his wife Norma Kimmel Johnson; John R. Johnson of Marion Center and his wife Janice Reddecliff Johnson; five nieces and three nephews. Preceded in death by mother, Florence Lohr Johnson; her step-mother, Bertha Lohr Johnson, and her father, Ernest C. Johnson Sr. Mrs. Slenker was an associate professor in the Department of Art at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for 31 years where she taught Fibers including Paper Making, Weaving, Batik and tie dying. Prior to that, she was an art teacher in Somerset and Roselle, N.J. A graduate of Somerset High School in 1949, she received her bachelor's degree in 1953 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her master's degree and Professional Diploma at Teacher's College, Columbia University, N.Y., in 1958. She was well known and respected for her teaching ability and motivational approaches. She was a member of the Allied Artists of Johnstown, The Associated Artists, Pittsburgh Society of Artists, Craftsman Guild and Society of Sculptors of Pittsburgh. Her work in jewelry, metal sculpture, paper-making and fibers won numerous awards from the association as her work has been displayed throughout Western Pennsylvania and Northeastern United States. She received an international award for her welded metal sculpture. She received the IUP Creative Arts Award for her recognized achievements in art. There will be no viewing. A memorial service will be planned at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Foundation for IUP, Sutton Hall, IUP, Indiana, Pa. 15705 designated for the Jean J. Slenker Scholarship fund. This will be used to support aspiring and promising art students in fibers and papermaking. Daily American, September 22, 1998 [S1922]