Sarah “Sally” Orr Herdman passed away on May 13, 2026. She was born on July 9, 1939 to Joseph Hughes Orr, Sr. and Naomi Elizabeth Humphreys Orr in Altoona, PA. Sally attended schools in the Altoona School District graduating from Altoona High School in 1957. She continued her education at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA, graduating with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education in 1961 and a Master’s Degree from Lehigh University in 1963. Sally married James L. Herdman in 1961 and began her teaching career in Allentown, PA. She taught elementary school in Allentown PA, Hatboro-Horsham, PA, Johnstown, PA, and Windber, PA. After teaching 40 years, Sally retired from public school teaching and continued her teaching career by working part-time in the Penn State College of Education as a supervisor of pre-service student teachers.
Sally served as the Children’s Choir Director and Sunday School Teacher for 25 years at Oakland United Methodist Church in Johnstown. She also volunteered to give the children’s message at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in State College, volunteered at St. Paul’s Shoe Bank, and Schlow Library. She co-authored the book Happy Kids in Happy Valley, which included over 145 activities in the Centre County Region for kids of all ages.
In her spare time, Sally enjoyed playing piano, reading, and writing books for her grandchildren. Her greatest joy was spending time with family and especially loved their family gatherings at Thanksgiving, Christmas and the annual family vacation in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Laughing with her family and having Grammy Camp with her grandchildren were all happy times for her. She considered her greatest achievement and blessing in life was being the mother of her four children.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband James L. Herdman in 1990, her second husband Charles Cronemiller in 2025, her brother Joseph Orr, Jr. and sister-in-law Janet, her sister, Ann DeHaas and brother-in-law Phil, her brother-in-law Walt Hitchcock and her sister-in-law Joyce Dunn and brother-in-law Chuck. She is survived by her children, Sarah Walters and husband Greg, Emily Jones and husband Eric, Andrew Herdman and wife Jennifer, Joseph Herdman and wife Christine and grandchildren, Shaun, Katie, and Jimmy Walters, Ellie Jones, Anna, Jamie, Ben Herdman and Naomi and Leslie Herdman. Also survived by her sister Jane Hitchcock and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be May 21 at 11:00am at St Paul’s United Methodist Church in State College, PA. Burial will be on May 22 at 10:30am at Kauffman Cemetery Davidsville, PA. Funeral arrangements by Koch Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Salvation Army 701 N. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19123.