Gloria A. Wentling, 87, formerly of Annville, passed away on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, surrounded by her loving family at Londonderry Village. She was the wife of the late George M. Wentling, who passed in 1996.
Gloria was born in Lebanon on Aug. 4, 1936, to the late Allen I. and Alma Amanda (Yeager) Wolfe.
She was the valedictorian of South Lebanon High School’s class of 1954, a 1958 Millersville State Teachers College graduate, and graduated in 1961 from Penn State University with her master’s degree in elementary education. Gloria began her career at Cornwall-Lebanon School District and retired from Annville-Cleona School District after 32 years as an elementary school teacher. Following her retirement, she worked for Lebanon Valley College as an event coordinator at Kreiderheim in Annville.
Gloria was a member of Christ Church United Church of Christ in Annville, where she was involved with UCC Kids Club, served as a deacon and nursery superintendent, and volunteered within various committees at the church. She was active in organizing Vacation Bible School for churches in Annville. She was a member of the Lebanon Chapter of The Order of the Eastern Star, Annville Home Study Circle, and Friends of Old Annville and was a Girl Scout Leader. Gloria was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional sorority for teachers. She would plan trips to the National Book Festival with this group. Prior to becoming a teacher, Gloria was a playground director at the Avon Playground. She enjoyed volunteering as an usher at The Hershey Theatre and the local store at Londonderry Village and contributed to various charities.
Surviving is her daughters, Elizabeth “Beth” Keaton, of Grantville, Rebecca “Becky” Wentling, and her husband, Robert Yoder, of Tacoma, WA; four grandchildren, Logan and Jared Keaton, and August and Rose Yoder; and sister-in-law, Rona Wolfe, of Ephrata. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her siblings, Russell H. Wolfe, Rev. Barry Wolfe, Lowell Wolfe, and Nellie Raiger; half-brother, Howard Wolfe; half-sister, Verna Spang; and son-in-law, Lee Keaton.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, at 2 p.m., at Christ Church United Church of Christ, 200 S. White Oak St., Annville. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Annville. There will be a viewing from 1-2 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to her church, address listed above, or The Dutchman Education Foundation, DEF, 520 S. White Oak St., Annville, PA 17003.
