Obituary of Rachel L. Port

Rachel L. Port, 90, of Petersburg, died Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at Mount Nittany Medical Center. Born April 21, 1926, in Petersburg, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Mertie Howell Port. She is survived by three siblings, Marian Gates of Huntingdon, Jack Port of Huntingdon, and Kermit Port of Petersburg and numerous nieces and nephews, along with many grandnieces and nephews and great-grandnieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Rachel was preceded in death by five siblings, Harold Port, John Port, Anna Martha Rohland, Harvey "Skip" Port, and Dale Port. Rachel graduated from Petersburg Vocational High School in 1944. Throughout high school, she enjoyed spending summers in Point Pleasant, NJ working for Martell's Restaurant. Following her graduation, Rachel worked at Owens Corning Fiberglass in Huntingdon. She also worked on the Loop Fire Tower watching for forest fires. Later she tested milk at local farms for Dairy Herd Improvement Association. Rachel was also a real estate agent for Schrack Realty and then for Kissinger Bigatel & Brower before her retirement. Rachel was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Petersburg. She was an avid Penn state football fan, and especially enjoyed the recruiting process. Rachel grew up in Petersburg and continued to live in her family home for 90 years. She had many cherished memories she frequently shared with family members, including how as a child she would walk miles to go pick blueberries. Rachel also enjoyed the fact she was born on the same day and year as Queen Elizabeth II. To celebrate this, Rachel's 90th birthday party theme was "A Queen's Birthday". Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Petersburg. A graveside service will be announced at a later date. Memorial contributions may be directed to Home Helpers, 911 D Scotch Valley Rd., Hollidaysburg, PA 16648, or Zion Lutheran Church, 501 St Peters St., Petersburg, PA 16669, in memory of Rachel L. Port. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.