Viola “Vi” L. Stiver, 80, of Martha Furnace, PA, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005, at Windy Hill Village in Philipsburg.
She was born at home on May 24, 1924, in Warriors Mark, a daughter of the late Harry and Bessie Cupp Gensimore. On Aug. 26, 1953, she wed Samuel L. Stiver, to whom she was married for 43 years. He preceded her in death on Aug. 7, 1996.
Vi was a graduate of the Warriors Mark High School, class of 1942. Following graduation. She worked at Sylvania in Mill Hall as an inspector during WWII. She also was employed for many years at Lugg and Edmonds Department Store in Tyrone as a furniture buyer. Following her marriage. She enjoyed being a full-time homemaker at her residence in Martha Furnace.
She was a member of the Bald Eagle Baptist Church, where she served as deaconess, and for many years sang in the church choir. She did volunteer work for groups and organizations such as the Port Matilda Elementary school, Girl Scouts, Bald Eagle High School Music Boosters, Centre Crest Women’s Auxiliary and Port Matilda Fire Department.
She belonged to two sewing clubs, where she enjoyed the company of her friends. For many years she bowled on the Tuesday night league at Centre Lanes. She was a member of the Port Matilda Senior Citizens, as well as the Port Matilda Garden Club, where she served as president. She also served as treasurer of the Williams Cemetery Association.
Vi loved knitting, crocheting and making crafts. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and the daily “Jumbles” in the CDT. She looked forward to camping at the Grange Fair each year, an event she attended for more than 30 years. But, her biggest enjoyment was being with her family and attending her grandchildren’s many sporting and musical events, including Penn State Blue Band performances.
She is survived by two daughters: Beth Lewis, and her husband Brad, of Shinglehouse and Mindy Meyers, and her husband Randy, of Pine Grove Mills; a daughter-in-law, Judy Tomko and her husband Bill of Nazareth; five grandchildren: Clay Stiver of Nazareth; Ben and Britney Lewis and Collin and Kerry Meyers; and a brother, Boyd Gensamer of University Park nursing Center, State College. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; and her “grandpets,” Bekka, Teddy and Toto, too.
She was preceded in death by a son, H. Jeffrey Stiver, two sisters, Eliza Hoover of Altoona and Irene Bennett of Port Matilda; and a brother, Hayes Gensimore of Warriors Mark.
Public visitation will be held on Saturday, Feb. 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College. A memorial service to celebrate Vi’s life will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. David R. Spaugh of the Bald Eagle Baptist Church and Rev. Russell J. Horning of the Shinglehouse First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be at the Williams Cemetery in Huston Township.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bald Eagle Baptist Church c/o Cathy Fisher, 3906 S. Eagle Valley Road, Julian, PA 16844.
