Obituary of Phyllis H. Gentzel

Phyllis H. Gentzel, 86, of State College, peacefully began her eternal life on March 30, 2015. She was born March 14, 1929 in Pottsville to the Rev. John L. Herbster and Mrs. Hilda DuTot Herbster. Phyllis graduated from Kutztown High School and Kutztown State Teachers College. She taught kindergarten in Yardley and State College. On July 25, 1953, Phyllis married Perry H. Gentzel, Jr. Her father performed the ceremony at Ziegel Church in Breinigsville. She focused on raising her family and volunteering with church, school, Girl Scouts, poll watching activities, and assisting with the family business. After her husband died on March 16, 1984, Phyllis became president of the Gentzel Corporation, Inc. Her leisure activities included reading, being with family, having long conversations with family members living far away, and taking walks outside, especially when the sky was “robbin egg blue”. Phyllis is survived by two daughters, Margaret M. Gentzel of Pollock Pines, CA, Linda G. Meyer and her husband, Rev. David L. Meyer of State College; a brother, John M. Herbster and his wife, Louise, of Eureka Springs, AR; granddaughter, Monica Gentzel Medhurst of Citrus Heights, CA; two great-granddaughters, Rosalind Leann Simmons and Ella Kathryn Simmons and two grandsons, Zechariah Daniel Meyer and Samuel Perry Meyer, all of State College. In addition to her parents and husband, Phyllis is preceded in death by her sister, Margaret C. Herbster. Visitation will be 6 until 8 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2015 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, April 4, 2015 at the funeral home with the Reverends Ann Graves and Mark Meckstroth officiating. Burial will be in Pine Hall Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to Mid-State Literacy Council, 248 E. Calder Way, Suite 307, State College, PA 16801, or Faith United Church of Christ, 300 E. College Ave, State College, PA 16801, in memory of Phyllis Herbster Gentzel. Donations of time, in her memory may be made by reading aloud to those who are unable to read for themselves. 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 or visit us on Facebook.