DOVER - Jean A. Couchman, of Dover passed away Friday, Oct. 8, 2010, in Courtland Manor Nursing Home. She was 86. Jean was born on Feb. 3, 1924, in Downingtown, Pa., daughter of the late Anna Dailey and Rhinehart Merkt. She graduated from Downingtown High School and in 1944 from the Philadelphia Beauty School. She later attended Delaware Tech. Jean worked as a secretary to the personnel director of the Kent County Administrative Offices in Dover and retired on Jan. 31, 1990. Her hobbies included the Steppin' Seniors at the Modern Maturity Center where she taught line dancing. She was an avid reader and bridge player, enjoyed playing the piano and did volunteer work. Her number one priority was her family. As an Army wife for 17 years, she traveled extensively throughout Europe and the U.S. and continued to travel cruising to Bermuda and to Alaska, and traveling to Ireland. Jean was a long time active member of Holy Cross Church, Dover Century Club, Modern Maturity Center, member of Steppin' Seniors, Stockley Center Womens' Auxiliary, and the Delaware Association for Retarded Citizens. She was preceded in death by ex-husband John P. Couchman; son, John J. Couchman; brother, James Merkt; and a sister, Mary Short. Jean is survived by three daughters, Carol C. Jones and her husband Carl of California, Anne C. McCullin and her husband Dennis of Pennsylvania, and Jeannie C. Pepper of Dover; grandchildren, Chad Diefenbach, Christy Shelmadine, both of California, Patrick McCullin, Nathan McCullin of Massachusetts, and Andrew McCullin, Laura Pepper, all of Pennsylvania, and Clay Pepper of Dover; great-granddaughter, Sydney Shelmadine; and great-grandson, Dylan Shelmadine of California; a brother, Francis Merkt of Pennsylvania; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 14, at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 15, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 S. State St., Dover. Burial will follow at 3 p.m., in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Downingtown, Pa. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Stockley Center, 26351 Patriots Way, Georgetown, DE 19947; or Delaware Hospice House, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963. Letters of condolences can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.