Elsie May Houck

Elsie May Houck, 97, formerly of Bangor, PA, passed away Saturday, March 26th, at Gracedale, Northampton County Home, Nazareth, PA.

Elsie was born in Wagnersville, PA on September 9, 1918, a daughter of the late Earl E. and Florence (Werkheiser) Messinger.

She was the widow of Arthur L. Houck, who passed away in 1987. Elsie was employed as a sewing machine operator at the former Ed Rose Fashions in Pen Argyl, PA, until retiring in 1980. Prior to that, Elsie was employed as head cook at the Washington Twp. Elementary School.

Elsie was a member of Ackermanville United Methodist Church in Bangor, PA. She was also a member of UNITE, the garment workers union, and a member of the former Order of the Eastern Star in Bangor.

Elsie is survived by a daughter, Judi Brugler and her husband Bill, of Bangor, PA;
a son,Richard Houck and his wife Dianne, of Orefield, PA; a son in law Gerald Hildenbrand, of Winter Haven, FL, two sisters, Gladys Flory and Beatrice Daniel, a brother, Earl Messinger, 10 grandchildren Robin, Terri, Denise, Brent, Sara, Andrew, Katie, Megan, Carrie, and Emily, 16 great grandchildren, and 6 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter Nancy Lou Hildenbrand and two sisters Vivian Frutchey and Arline Messinger.

A Memorial Service will be held at 12 PM on Saturday, April 2nd at the Ackermanville United Methodist Church, 1410 Ackermanville Road, Bangor, PA with Rev. Alice Ann Bonham officiating. Friends are invited to call on Saturday from 11 AM until the time of the service in the church. Burial will be held at the Plainfield Cemetery, Plainfield Twp., PA. Arrangements have been entrusted to the James B. Gaffney Funeral Home, Bangor, PA. Online condolences may be made at gaffneyparsons.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ackermanville United Methodist Church, 1410 Ackermanville Road, Bangor, PA 18013.