Gretchen Renee Van Scyoc

Gretchen ReNee Van Scyoc, 66, entered eternal rest with her creator on Tuesday, June 25, 2019.  She was born March 17, 1953 in Hershey Hospital, the daughter of John Mahlon and Lois Arlene (Boyer) Van Scyoc.  She lived in Hershey until 1978 when she moved just across the line to Palmyra.

She is survived by her two children, Melissa of Philadelphia and Roger of Palmyra.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an older brother, John, Jr.  She is survived by a younger brother Mark of Leola, three paternal aunts, Betty Kreitzer of Elizabeth, CO, Mary Butcher of Neward, DE and Doris Donmoyer of Fredericksburg.

Gretchen graduated from Hershey High School in 1971.  She worked in her father’s electrical contracting business until 1988 when she worked for Contel as facilities coordinator for buildings in the three-state Allegheny Division.  In 1989 she formed Electrocom, Inc., a commercial electrical, voice and data communication contractor.  She served as President until her death but was permanently disabled by a fall in December 2014 leaving her with limited mobility.  Gretchen took numerous courses in all aspects of her company’s field.

Gretchen served as a special fire police officer with Hershey Volunteer Fire Co. and as an auxiliary police officer with Derry Twp. Police, rising to the rank of Captain. Also, she volunteered as an EMT with the fire company’s EMS, serving as chief driver trainer and chaired the committee responsible for the second modular ambulance purchase.  Later she volunteered with Palmyra EMS.

Gretchen was active in her church, Holy Trinity Lutheran, building and running the sound and lighting system for the youth group’s long road show of various musicals, also erecting special lighting for major celebrations in her church and serving on the property committee.  Gretchen also did lighting for some Derry Presbyterian Church Youth Group musicals and the 1976 Gratz Fair Bicentennial celebration.  She has assisted with Vacation Bible School.

Gretchen has served on the Borough of Palmyra Planning Commission and as secretary or assistant chairperson since March 2009.  Gretchen served in the past as secretary of TransCentral PA, PRIDEFEST, and Audio-Visual Director for the Keystone Conference in Harrisburg.

Gretchen is a volunteer sound engineer for Hershey Area Playhouse.

Gretchen most enjoyed reuniting with old friends and volunteering in her church.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 11AM at the Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 25 W. Pine St., Palmyra, PA 17078 with Reverend Cindy Brommer officiating.  A time of viewing will be held from 10AM until the start of the service and also on Friday, June 28 from 5PM to 7PM at the funeral home.  Burial will follow after the funeral on Saturday at the Hershey Cemetery, Hershey.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to her church, 206 Cocoa Ave., Hershey, PA 17033 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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