HERKIMER - Jean Hart Kowalczik age 86 of Downey Avenue passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning October 24, 2012 in Faxton-Saint Lukes Medical Center, New Hartford. She was born on December 15, 1925 in Little Falls, daughter of the late Alton Horace and Evelyn Hart Platner. A lifelong Herkimer resident, she was a graduate of Herkimer High School, class of 1944. She continued her education and graduated from the Utica School of Commerce. On August 17, 1946 she was united in marriage with Joseph Kowalczik in the Herkimer United Methodist Church with the Reverend Fred Cotnam officiating. Mrs. Kowalczik first worked as a secretary for the Remington Arms Company in Ilion until 1950. She then went to work for the Herkimer Central School District as a Library Aide, working at the East Herkimer Elementary School and the Margaret Tuger School. She retired in 1977. Jean had a strong faith in God and was a life member of the First United Methodist Church Herkimer/Little Falls. She found much joy in working at church functions such as church dinners, rummage sales and at one time had taught Sunday school. To all who knew her they will never forget a loving, caring and hopeful person who enjoyed her family and home. Her relaxation time was spent at home cooking and in her gardens tending to the flowers, vegetables and herbs. She cherished the time spent with her many friends and family especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed. Surviving are her devoted husband of sixty-six years Joseph, a son David A. Kowalczik and his wife Deborah Gross of Whitesboro, one daughter; Barbara Misar and her husband Steven of Chester, NJ, three grandchildren, Kevin Misar and his wife Kelly of Bloomsbury, NJ, Brian Misar and his wife Catherine of Alexandria, VA, Darren Misar and his wife Meghan of Lawrenceville, NJ, two great grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Connor Misar, Several nieces and nephews including locally John and Sharon Kowalczik of Ilion. Calling hours for Mrs. Kowalczik will be on Saturday from 4:00 until 6:00 pm in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street; Herkimer. Funeral service will take place on Sunday at 2:00 pm in the funeral home with the Reverend Janet Gleason, pastor of the First United Methodist Church Herkimer/Little Falls officiating. Interment in the Church Street Cemetery, Little Falls will be at a later time convenient to the family. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the First United Methodist Church Herkimer/Little Falls Memorial Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to Angela and the entire nursing staff of Faxton-St. Lukes Medical Center for the extraordinary care and compassion shown to Jean during her time there.