Kathryn Isenberg Steel, 95, a former resident of Huntingdon and most recently of Croasdaile Village Retirement Community in Durham, North Carolina, died Saturday, May 22, 2004.
Mrs. Steel was born in Huntingdon and remained an active member of the community until she was in her eighties. She worked for many years as the executive secretary of W. Emmert Swigart, president and a founding member of Swigart Associates, Inc. of Huntingdon. In 1950 she became secretary to James Weimer, district agent for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., and continued in that capacity until Mr. Weimer’s death. During this time she helped develop the Weimer-Oller Travel Agency, serving as manager until 1978, and then in a part-time capacity until 1986.
Always interested in her community, Mrs. Steel was involved in a number of civic organizations. She served as secretary for Friends of the Library and also as secretary and president of the Huntingdon Music Club. She was a charter member and secretary for the Huntingdon Community Concert Association and a member of the Literacy Council of Huntingdon County.
She was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church of Huntingdon where she served in numerous lay capacities, including Sunday school teacher, Superintendent of the Youth Department, Chancel Choir member, Chair of the Worship Committee, member of the Council of Ministries, and many terms as an Administrative Board member. With a strong interest in missions, she served as secretary and president of the Wesleyan Service Guild, member of the Naomi-Ruth Circle, and secretary and president of the United Methodist Women for many years.
Mrs. Steel’s hobbies included gardening and making flower arrangements, knitting, sewing, music and reading. In recent years she enjoyed crocheting baby blankets, which she donated to area hospital nurseries.
She was the widow of J. Alex Steel, well-known Huntingdon display artist. Mr. Steel preceded her in death in 1988 after a happy marriage of 47 years. She was the daughter of the late John H. Isenberg and the late Mary Gordon Isenberg. Three brothers, Donald Isenberg, Robert Isenberg, and Ralph Isenberg also preceded her in death.
Her daughter, Marci Steel Whittaker of Fearrington Village, Pittsboro, NC, a brother, Richard M. Isenberg of Plymouth Meeting, PA, a sister-in-law, Irene Isenberg of Huntingdon, and a number of nephews and nieces survive Mrs. Steel.
A graveside memorial service is planned for Saturday, May 29 at Eastlawn Cemetery, Tyrone, PA at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Huntingdon or the American Heart Association. Searer Funeral Home of Tyrone is in charge of arrangements.
