Earl J. Partenheimer

Earl J. Partenheimer November 14, 1930 - March 28, 2010 Earl Julius Partenheimer, 79, of State College, died Sunday, March 28, 2010 at Mt. Nittany Medical Center at State College. He was born Nov. 14, 1930, in Huntingburg, Ind.; a son of the late Julius and Lela Byrd Partenheimer. On Aug. 30, 1957, he married Kay Widdowson who survives at home. Earl earned a Bachelor and a Master of Science degree from Purdue University; later earning his Doctorate in Agricultural Economics at Michigan State University. Earl served in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict earning a Korean Service Ribbon, a National Defense Service Medal and a United Nations Service Medal. He was honorably discharged Sept. 1, 1954, with the rank of Sergeant. Dr. Partenheimer began his career at Auburn University serving as an assistant and later as an associate professor of Agricultural Economics. In 1965 he came to the Penn State University as an associate professor, and later served as professor of Agricultural Economics there. He served one year with the Ministry of Agriculture in Nairobi, Kenya in conjunction with the Harvard Institute of International Development. In 1995 he retired as a professor emeritus of Agricultural Economics. He served as treasurer of the Penn State Credit Union for several years. Earl also served as an auditor for Patton Township for several years, and as treasurer of the Park Forest Day Nursery. He was also active with the Explorer Scouting Program. He was a member of Mt. Nittany United Methodist Church. Among the things he enjoyed most were, the out of doors, camping, fishing with his grandchildren and gardening. Earl was an avid bridge player and an avid Penn State and Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Surviving in addition to his wife Kay, are one daughter, Debra Ann Poulin, of Lemont; two sons, David Allen Partenheimer, of Washington, D.C., and Larry Steven Partenheimer and his wife Irene, of Harrisburg, Pa.; five grandchildren; Tony, Michael, and Marcus Poulin, Matthew and Michelle Partenheimer; and one sister, Linda Dollgener and her husband Robert, of Lindale, TX. Friends will be received 2-3 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at Mount Nittany United Methodist Church, 1500 E. Branch Road, State College, PA. The funeral will be at 11 a. m. Thursday, April 1, 2010, at Mt. Nittany United Methodist Church, 1500 E. Branch Road, State College, PA with the Reverend Howard T. Woodruff officiating. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Park Forest Day Nursery, 1833 Park Forest Ave., State College, PA 16803 or to the Centre Volunteers in Medicine, 2520 Green Tech Drive, State College, PA 16801. A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.