Obituary of Jean Silvernail
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Jean Pearsall Silvernail, of Sidney, New York, and Melbourne, FL, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on January 23, 2025. She was born on June 6th, 1922, in Holmesville, NY, to Ella and Graydon Pearsall. Jean grew up in South New Berlin and graduated from SNB High School in 1941. She married Bruce Silvernail in 1942 at the White Store Church, before Bruce went off to serve in WWII. Bruce returned to the states in 1945, and they made their home in Sidney for over 70 years. Jean worked at Scintilla during the WWII war effort and later spent more than 10 years at Sidney Elementary School, where she impacted students, teachers, and administrators. In the late 1970s, Jean returned to Bendix (now Amphenol) and worked there until her retirement in 1983, alongside her husband, Bruce. They were snowbirds, spending time in Tropical Haven, Melbourne, FL, where they made many lifelong, dear friends. Jean spent the last eight years living full-time in Florida. A lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Sidney, her favorite verse was Proverbs 3:6: In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Jean is survived by her son, Robert (Susan) Silvernail of Bainbridge, NY; granddaughter Erin (Jeremy) Barnett and great-grandson Jayden Bruce Barnett of Oak Harbor, WA; as well as special nephews and nieces: Edward (Holly) Pearsall of Newport, NY, Randall Pearsall of Palm Bay, FL, Steve Silvernail of Traverse City, MI, Susan (Silvernail) Vanwormer of Bay City, MI, and Jeff (Linda) Silvernail of Scotia, NY.
Jean was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Bruce Silvernail, in 2006; her daughter, Bonnie Jean Canfield, in 2022; her brother, Earl Pearsall, in 1996; and her sister-in-law, Beverly Pearsall, in 2024.
A few last words to family and friends: Always stay thoughtful and kind to each other. Psalm 103:5: He fills my life with good things.
A memorial service will be held at the Tropical Haven Library in Melbourne, FL, on February 16th. A private graveside burial will take place at a later date at the White Store Church Cemetery in White Store, NY. Any charitable donations can be mailed to the White Store Cemetery Treasurer, Ted Ellingsen, 431 White Store Rd., Norwich, NY 13815, in Jean Silvernail’s memory.