Obituary of Lorraine Gingrich, 95

Lorraine R. Gingrich, 95, of Centre Hall, formerly of Lebanon, died Tuesday, January 31, 2017; at Centre Crest in Bellefonte.

She was born July 7, 1921; at Lebanon; a daughter of the late George M. and Alice E. Gettle Gingrich. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister Lucille Gingrich, five brothers, George Jr., Kerry, Theodore, Thomas and G. Jay Gingrich, one grandson Michael Paul Gingrich, and a son in law Richard D. Lewis Sr.

On June 28, 1947, she married Neil Gingrich who survives in Spring Mills.

Lorraine graduated from Lebanon High School in 1938 and later from Levitan School’s Medical Secretary Program in 1941.

From September 7, 1944 to August 27, 1946, she served with the U. S. Navy as a Pharmacist's Mate Second Class in the amputee ward of Bethesda Navy Hospital, Bethesda, MD.

Newly married in 1947, Lorraine worked as a secretary for O. W. Houts, in State College while Neil completed his undergraduate degree at Penn State. After Neil graduated in 1949, they moved back to Fredericksburg, PA and together operated a dairy farm. In 1963, Neil returned to Penn State to pursue a graduate degree. During that time Lorraine worked at Northern Lebanon High School as a secretary. In 1968, Neil and Lorraine moved the family back to Centre County. Later that year Lorraine began a job in the Acquisitions Department at Pattee Library, She retired in 1985.

She was a member of the Salem Lutheran Church in Lebanon, PA. Lorraine was a life member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 115 in Lebanon, PA

An avid and accomplished cook and baker Lorraine and Neil shared a deep interest in collecting antiques, especially her salt cellars.

Surviving Mrs. Gingrich in addition to her husband are two daughters, Marilynn Lewis of Centre Hall, and Carol Gingrich (David Sampsel) of Spring Mills; two sons Dr. David Gingrich (Pamela) of Beech Creek, and Michael Gingrich of Centre Hall; seven grandchildren Andrew Lewis (Brandi), Heather Bryant (Kareem), Amy Ilgen (Scott), Angela Anderson (Don), Amanda Rummel (David) and Eric Gingrich; eleven great grandchildren, Anthony, Hayden, Caleb, Cheyenne, Tyler, Payton, Jordan, Jillian, Lanna, Zachary and Jeremy; three brothers, Neil Gingrich (Barbara) of Schaefferstown, John Gingrich (Helen) of Quakertown, and Larry Gingrich (Shirley) of Hastings.

Friends will be received from 9:30-11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 6, 2017 at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 301 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Centre Hall. An Order of the Eastern Star Service will be conducted at 11:00 am at the church. The funeral will follow immediately after the Eastern Star Service with the Reverend Rebecca Horn officiating. Burial will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA at 12:30 p. m. Thursday, February 9, 2017.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 301 Grant St., Suite 900, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

An online guest book may be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.