Mildred I. Auman 93, of Spring Mills, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family, Sunday June 1, 2014. Born June 10, 1920, in Axemann, Centre County, she was the daughter of the late William W. and Carrie M. Weaver Smith.
Mildred grew up in a farming family and attended one-room schools in both the Penns and Brush Valley areas. She completed her eighth grade education at the Green Grove School in Gregg Township in 1936. From that time until her marriage, Mildred worked on the family farm at Green Grove and at the Millheim Hosiery Mill. On August 21, 1943, she married Wilbur L. Auman who preceded her in death on January 10, 1992.
From 1943 on, Mildred was a homemaker. Mildred enjoyed cooking and baking especially preparing large meals for her family, her specialties being ham potpie, stuffed pig stomach, apple pie, and molasses crumb cake. Mildred was an avid flower and vegetable gardener, enjoying home canning and preserving. Mildred's hobbies included sewing and mending clothing (everyone took their blue jeans to grandma to fix), embroidering, crocheting afghans and doilies, and quilting. Mildred handmade quilts for each of her children, grandchildren, and great grand children. Her fine and even quilt stitches earned her numerous prize ribbons at the Centre County Grange Fair which she attended yearly. She also greatly enjoyed bus tours, especially to Sight and Sound Theater and sitting on her front porch visiting with family, friends, and neighbors.
Mildred was a member of the Spring Mills Fire Company Woman's Auxiliary, the Nittany Antique Machinery Association, The Lutheran Church Woman's Sewing Group, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (being awarded a certificate for 25 years service), the State College Woman's Club, the Dorcus Sewing Circle, the Tusseyville Garden Club and the Spring Mills and Millheim Senior Citizens. Mildred had also attended the PennsValleySeniorCenter in Madisonburg. Mildred attended Holy Cross and St. Marks Lutheran Churches and most recently, FaithUnitedMethodistChurch, all of Spring Mills.
Mildred is survived by four children, Richard E. (Jeanne) Auman, Dean A. (Bonita) Auman, Judy M.(Russell) Witherite, and Jane M. Manley all of Spring Mills. In addition to her children she is survived by ten grandchildren, Dulce Auman, Travis Auman, Hannah Witherite, Julie Auman, Jessica Auman, Thomas Witherite, Christine Sailors, Lori Zellers, Jeffrey Manley, and Jennifer Bair, eleven great grandchildren, and one step-great grandson. Also surviving is a sister Dorothy Alters of Spring Mills and brothers Carl E. Smith (Janet) of Bellefonte, and Harold R. Smith of Yeagertown.
Along with her parents and husband, Mildred was preceded in death by a brother Kenneth W. Smith and a sister Grace A. Ronk.
Friends and family will be received on Thursday, June 5, 2014from 6-8 p.m. at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Services, 226 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Centre Hall. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 6, 2014,at the funeral home with Pastor S. Leigh Pick officiating. Burial will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Upper Georges Valley Road, Spring Mills.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory can be made to The Penns Valley Hope Fund P. O. Box 427, Centre Hall, Pa 16828
A guest book can be signed or condolences made to the family at
heintzelmanfuneralhome.com