Mary Blanche (Extrom) Henneman

Mary Blanche Extrom Henneman passed away on Friday, March 29, 2013 in her 94th year at Masonic Village in Elizabethtown, her home for 14 years, after living a long and abundant life. She was born in 1919 in Big Run, PA to John Oran and Correll Estell Wachob Extrom. Mary was married for 68 years to her husband Lewis Burnett “LB” Henneman, who predeceased her in death in 2007.

Mary graduated from Big Run High School as valedictorian, married L.B. and moved to the Henneman family homestead in Big Run, PA, where she took care of her aging in-­‐laws for many years. She then supported her husband in his second career as a Nationwide Insurance Agent in Punxsutawney, PA, by serving as his office manager for 33 years.

Mary was a longtime member, Sunday school teacher, vestrywoman, and member of the board of the Paradise Community United Church of Christ, which was a great source of spiritual renewal for her for many years. She was also a 65-­‐ year member of Order of Eastern Star. She did daily devotions and was a living witness to her faith. She was a kind and very gentle person who loved God, family, friends, and life in general.

Mary was also an avid sports fan, particularly pro-­‐football, mainly the Pittsburgh Steelers, living to see the 2013 Super Bowl that she so looked forward to, and actually cheered for the Ravens. Her television was often turned to the sports channel for college and pro-­‐football as well as to golf matches. She could recite the rosters of most football teams and the stats of many of the players. She had her keen mind to the end and thrived on solving advanced crossword puzzles up until her last days.

All who knew Mary were touched by her kind and caring spirit and were a recipient of her warm and loving ways. She was a gentle soul who had a kind word for everyone. She exemplified Will Roger’s saying, “I never met a man I didn’t like.”

She is survived by a devoted family: daughter Shirley C. and husband James G. Bowers of Morrisdale, PA, son James F. and wife Sandra Baker Henneman of Erie, PA; and son Paul L. and wife Gloria Rice Henneman of Lancaster, PA. Grandchildren Michelle D. Henneman of Cincinnati, OH; David and wife Allison Henneman of Lancaster, PA; Tina and companion of Chris Bowers-­‐Paris of Mechanicsburg, PA, and Lonnie Bowers of Knox, PA and great grandchildren Darrin Bowers of Mechanicsburg, PA, Kathryn and Samantha Schussheim of Cincinnati, OH, and Cami and Fletcher Henneman of Lancaster, PA.

The family is deeply appreciative of the devoted Masonic Village friends who stopped by Mary’s apartment these last months to provide assistance as well as the loving care given her in her home by Patti Brinkman, as well as others of Masonic Village Home Care and her close friend Suzanne Anderson. Hospice nurse Mary Norman took compassionate care of her these last weeks as well as others in the Hospice and Community Care Program.

A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held on Monday, April 1, 2013 at the John S. Sell Memorial Chapel, Masonic Village, Elizabethtown at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Margaret Rohnacher officiating. There will be no viewing. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Interment will take place in the Masonic Village Memorial Garden at the convenience of the family. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to either Tree of Life, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022, or to Hospice and Community Care at P.O. 4125, Lancaster, PA.