Obituary of Gerda McClincy

Gerda made her journey to her heavenly home on July 29, 2014, after a long battle with parkinsons and alzheimers. Gerda was born March 12, 1931, in Kassel, Germany, daughter to Karl and Gertrude Dingel, who both preceded her in death.

On Nov. 5, 1948, she married James J. McClincy, who survives. Also surviving Gerda are son, James Carl (Tanya), of Sunbury; two daughters Karin Garner, and Carol (Curt) Leitzell, all of Runville; three grandchildren, Cheanye and Joshua McClincy, of Sunbury and Jeremy (Lindsey) Garner, of Snow Shoe; one great-grandson, Ethan McClincy, of Sunbury; and three step-great grandchildren, Noah, Madison, and Gavin, of Snow Shoe.

Along with her parents, Gerda was preceded in death by a son, Walter; and a son-in-law, Terry Garner.

Though we may never know the expansive number of lives she touched, we know how blessed our family has been to have had such a wonderful wife and mother. We would like to share with you a small part of “The Dash” in Gerda's life “The easiest part of being a mother is giving birth. The hardest part is showing up every day!” ~ Rev. Kenneth Martin Gerda showed up every day, loved her family and loved serving the Lord. She was Choir Director, Youth Fellowship Leader, and Sunday School Teacher for many years at the Runville Evangelical United Brethren Church, continuing in those leadership roles when it became the United Methodist Church, and later at the Milesburg Assembly of God. She organized and conducted numerous Christmas and Easter cantatas and youth events. She and her husband, Jim, were charter members in the building and organization of Maranatha Assembly of God Church outside of Pleasant Gap where she continued to serve in her role as Sunday School Teacher. Gerda also served as the Runville Reporter in 1960's providing information to the community through the Centre Daily Times of special events, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. She was Runville's favorite door-to-door Avon Lady for many years. From 1969 to 1971, Gerda worked at Krauss's Dress Shop in Bellefonte. From 1972 until 1983, she worked at Peoples National Bank in Bellefonte. Prior to her illness, she served as Treasurer for the Advent Cemetery Association. She and her husband were the caretakers for the Runville Community Center for many years. She also spent hours cooking food to serve and helped with the soup kitchen in Bellefonte. She held many weekly Bible studies in her home, often taking time afterwards to share a cup of coffee, and some of her German cake with the ladies. Gerda counseled and led countless youth and adults to the Lord through her example of loving and living in the Christian faith and her personal relationship with the Lord. She had a special place in her heart and home for people from other countries, understanding their feelings of being in a strange place with no family or friends. Many times she gave them a place to live when they had nowhere else to go. She loved baking her special German recipes for those who often visited her home. Many were on the receiving end of Gerda's generosity. She would spend hours baking bread from scratch, making jellies, canning fruits and vegetables, then giving it all away to needy families, friends and family. She lived her life helping others, taking care of others, and expecting nothing in return. She was the perfect mother and that perfect friend we all wish to have in our lifetime. In addition to caring for everyone else, she always took the time to stay in regular touch with her parents and extended family members in Germany. Gerda had a knack for remembering birthdays, creating and sending cards and special messages, if for no other reason but to brighten someone's day. She did all this while raising her family, teaching them all to sing and enjoy music, and being the perfect role model. Gerda loved the Lord with all her heart, and you could often enter her home, and find her sitting in her favorite chair by the picture window reading scripture, and studying the Word of God. Oft times, in walking on to the front porch you could hear her voice with the strings from the piano as she would sit and sing some of her favorite hymns and songs. She never missed an opportunity to speak at Women's Conventions or Mother's Day dinners or events when asked to share the message of her faith and love for the Lord. She truly exemplified God's love in the many ways she reached out to others around her! She enjoyed needlepoint and crocheting, and in later years quilting, all the while, giving her needlepoint to others just to add warmth and sunshine to their day. One year for Christmas, Gerda made a quilt for each one of her children, a treasured gift today. Her family would like to express their appreciation to friends and family who visited with Gerda during her illness. We would like to thank the staff at Centre Crest, Home Health Hospice; and a heartfelt thank you to her dearest friends who are a huge part of our family, Rev. Kenneth and Marlene Martin, of Hermitage, who faithfully sent cards and wrote to her every week.

There will be no public visitation or viewing. Services will be private at the convenience of her family. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of The Dean K. Wetzler Funeral Home, 201 Spring St., Milesburg, PA. Memorial contributions can be made to the Walter L. McClincy Scholarship Fund c/o John and Mary Ann Wetzler, 1026 Airport Rd., Bellefonte, PA 16823 or to Centre Crest Auxiliary Comfort and Love Program, c/o Janie Burns, 502 E. Howard St, Bellefonte, PA 16823. If roses grow in heaven If roses grow in heaven, Lord please pick a bunch for me, place them in my Mother's arms and tell her they're from me. Tell her I love her and miss her, and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for a while. Because remembering her is easy, I do it every day, but there's an ache within my heart that will never go away. ~Anonymous