Joanne B. Thal, 74, of Pleasant Gap passed away Sunday, March 2, 2008 at the Mount Nittany Medical Center where she was a patient since January 2, 2008.
She was born in Pleasant Gap on April 6, 1933. She was a daughter of the late Elwood and Mae Knoffsinger Brooks. She was raised by her aunt and uncle, the late John and Lydie Royer.
Born with a congenital heart condition, she underwent open heart surgery in April 1961 in Philadelphia.
She was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters - Marie Struble, Adeline Benford, Budd Brooks, Blaine Brooks, Ray Brooks, and Lydie Brooks. She is survived by several nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Jo Livergood and Larry D. Livergood of Pleasant Gap and Moshannon; by her former husband, Joseph Thal of Pleasant Gap; cousin Clara Royer Walker of Pleasant Gap. She was a devoted mother, mother-in-law and friend.
She is also survived by her extended family Beverly and Jerry Paul of Pleasant Gap and their children and grandchildren - Jeremy Paul of Annville and Tricia and Mark Miller of Lock Haven and their children Heidi, Leanne, and Jacqueline Miller; and her life long friend Mary Witmer of State College.
She was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church of Pleasant Gap. She was a former member of the VFW Ladies Auxillary, Penn State Retired Faculty/Staff Club and PARSE.
She was a Graduate of the class of 1951 from Bellefonte High School.
She was employed by Penn State University for 41 years retiring as Assistant to the Financial Officer in Finance and Business in December 1994. Prior to working at Penn State, she was employed as a secretary at OW Houts & Sons. Following her retirement in 1994, she began planning her daughter's wedding.
She enjoyed eating out with her friends, attending garage/yard sales, antiques, shopping, reading Danielle Steele books, collecting teddy bears, bus trips to Atlantic City and of course her faithful feline friend, her two cats. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her daughter.
A viewing will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at the Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Services PC, 1034 Benner Pike, State College, PA 16801 and from 10:00 to 10:30 AM on Thursday, March 6, 2008 at the St. Mark Lutheran Church, 160 N. Main St., Pleasant Gap, PA 16823. Funeral Services will follow at 10:30 AM with the Reverend Kevin Shock officiating. Interment will follow the services at Pleasant Gap Lutheran Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions can be made to St. Mark Lutheran Church, 160 N. Main St., Pleasant Gap, PA 16823 or to the Pleasant Gap Fire Company, 475 Robinson Lane, Pleasant Gap, PA 16823.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.