Obituary of Joan Storch

Joan C Storch, of State College, died Thursday, December 20th, at Mount Nittany Medical Center. She was born April 2, 1932 in Erie, PA, to Joseph F and Jewel A. Christoff, who preceded her in death. She was a 1949 graduate of Strong Vincent High School in Erie, and then attended the Behrend Campus of Penn State University for two years. She earned her Liberal Arts degree at Penn State's main campus, graduating in 1953. She was a Sister of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority throughout her college career. In 1954 Joan married Donald R Storch of State College, who preceded her in death in 1992. The couple resided in Whittier, CA, for four years before returning to State College. They raised two children, Jan S Grill, of Lewisburg, who preceded her in death in 2004, and Robert D Storch, who resides in Pennsylvania Furnace. After volunteering as an aid at the Easterly Parkway Elementary School in the 1960's, and at the SCAJHS in the early 1970's, Joan returned to school at Lock Haven State College, where she earned her teaching and library certifications. In 1974, she began her 20 year employment with the Penns Valley Area School District as a high school English teacher, and finished as the Librarian for all the district's elementary schools. For many years after college and during her retirement, Joan was active in the Alpha Mu Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta as an officer and an advisor. She also volunteered at the local office of the Philatelic Society and at the Library Processing office of the SCASD. Throughout her life, Joan was an avid reader, Bridge player and enjoyed spending time with her family, friends and sorority sisters. She touched many lives through the years, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her son, Robert, his wife, Trish, their children, Nicholas and Alexandra, who all reside in Pennsylvania Furnace, and another granddaughter, Rebecca Grill, of Lewisburg. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., Thursday, December 27, 2012, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College. A funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Centre County Memorial Park. Memorial Contributions may be made to Centre Volunteers in Medicine, 2520 Green Tech Drive, State College, PA 16803. 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.