Obituary for Arlene Mae Dougherty (Wertsch)
Arlene Mae (Wertsch) Dougherty, 99, of Ephrata, passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, at Keystone Villa.
She was born in Harrisburg to the late Dr. John R. and Jennie (Root) Wertsch and beloved step-daughter of Miriam Wertsch.
She grew up in Ephrata, graduated from Millersville State Teachers College in 1941 then moved to Drexel Hill to raise her family.
Her first teaching position was in a two room schoolhouse in Bareville. She taught primary school in Delaware County for 15 years while raising her children.
After retiring she returned to her hometown of Ephrata, where she enjoyed connecting with classmates, volunteering for the library, traveling with the Ephrata Golden Years Club and participating at the First United Methodist Church.
She is predeceased by her husband of 61 years, John W. Dougherty, with whom she enjoyed traveling and camping along with family.
She is survived by their four children, Sally (Vince) Tobias of Stevens, John (Joan) Dougherty of St. Louis, MO, Daniel Dougherty of Ephrata, Mimi (Jim) Weiler of Downingtown; 9 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Friends are invited to gather for a visitation on Saturday, November 2, 2019 from 10 to 11 AM at the First United Methodist Church, 68 N. Church Street, Ephrata, followed by services at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in the Hopeland United Methodist Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Arlene's memory may be made to VisionCorps Foundation, 244 N Queen Street, Suite 301, Lancaster, PA 17603.
Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata.
She was born in Harrisburg to the late Dr. John R. and Jennie (Root) Wertsch and beloved step-daughter of Miriam Wertsch.
She grew up in Ephrata, graduated from Millersville State Teachers College in 1941 then moved to Drexel Hill to raise her family.
Her first teaching position was in a two room schoolhouse in Bareville. She taught primary school in Delaware County for 15 years while raising her children.
After retiring she returned to her hometown of Ephrata, where she enjoyed connecting with classmates, volunteering for the library, traveling with the Ephrata Golden Years Club and participating at the First United Methodist Church.
She is predeceased by her husband of 61 years, John W. Dougherty, with whom she enjoyed traveling and camping along with family.
She is survived by their four children, Sally (Vince) Tobias of Stevens, John (Joan) Dougherty of St. Louis, MO, Daniel Dougherty of Ephrata, Mimi (Jim) Weiler of Downingtown; 9 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Friends are invited to gather for a visitation on Saturday, November 2, 2019 from 10 to 11 AM at the First United Methodist Church, 68 N. Church Street, Ephrata, followed by services at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in the Hopeland United Methodist Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Arlene's memory may be made to VisionCorps Foundation, 244 N Queen Street, Suite 301, Lancaster, PA 17603.
Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata.