True to Baka’s spirit, she passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020 in Myerstown, PA. She was born in Schaefferstown to Anna Mae (Weik) and Franklin Pierce Keath.
She was a 1939 graduate of Cornwall High School and was the last remaining member of her class. She worked at Sowers Printing Company and spent many summers in Atlantic City with her friends until she found and married the love of her life for 49 years, John Nicholas Chernick, Sr., on Apr. 17, 1950. Baka took much joy in raising her two children, Nick and Monica, and she and John provided them with a loving home. Years later, she became a teacher’s assistant and worked at Cornwall Elementary School which provided her with yet another avenue to share her love of children. Baka lived life to the fullest and truly enjoyed her extended family and friends who visited often and were the recipients of her wonderful home-cooked meals, picnics, conversation, and love.
She abandoned her walker to be reunited with her husband John, her son, Nick, son-in-law, Tom McDowell, brother, Frank Keath, Sr., sister, Winnie Fillak, and her mother and father. She is survived by her daughter, Monica Thomas, son-in-law, Bobby Thomas, grandchildren, Jean, and her husband, Justin Sherwood, Jon McDowell, and his wife, Brittney, and Molly Beth McDowell. Also surviving are her “little loves” – her grandchildren who were very active in her life – Kya and Laney Sherwood, Autumn, Marlee, and Austin McDowell, several nieces and nephews, step-grandchildren, Bob, Kristene, and Amanda, and many great-grandchildren.
Family and friends and others who have loved her are invited to celebrate her life with a visitation and Mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 2596 Cornwall Rd., Cornwall, PA 17016 on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Thompson Funeral Home, Inc. has been entrusted with arrangements. Please share your memories with the family at our online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com
