Evelyn R. Gonse

Evelyn R. Cottingham Gonse, 92, of Hummelstown, passed away on Thursday, June 2, 2016, in the home of her daughter and son in law, who were caring for her.
Born in Swatara Station, Hershey on May 13, 1924, she was the daughter of the late William M. and Catherine Lutz Cottingham.
Evelyn worked for the H.B. Reese Candy Company for over 20 years in the peanut butter cup department. She was also employed by the former Hauer's Department Store, Hummelstown, as a clerk, and was a helicopter mechanic at the former Olmsted Air Force Base during World War II. Evelyn was a graduate of the former Hummelstown High School Class of 1943. She was a member of Church of the Redeemer United Church of Christ, Hershey, and attended Victory Christian Fellowship, Palmyra. Evelyn was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 265, Hummelstown, and a lifetime member of the former Hummelstown VFW Auxiliary Unit 1687. She enjoyed writing poetry, reading the newspaper, crocheting, doing Sudoku puzzles, attending her husband's Army reunions, and going on bus trips with her daughters. She began and ended everyday reading her Bible.
In addition to her parents, Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Irvin W. Gonse on June 14, 1997; brothers, William Cottingham, Richard Cottingham, Francis Cottingham, and Robert Cottingham; brothers in law, Charles Gonse, David Gontz, and Ivan Plecker; nephew, Kenny Gonse; niece, Catherine Ann Plecker; and grand nephew, Derek Thomas Cottingham. She was the oldest surviving member of her family.
Evelyn is survived by three daughters, Sharon K. Kyzer wife of Terry of Camp Hill, Constance R. Kerstetter wife Gary of Bressler, and Kimberly A. Peffley wife of Lee, Jr. of Hummelstown; sister, Emilie E. Plecker of Hummelstown; brother, Ronald G. Cottingham husband of Karen of Carlisle; sisters in law, Judy Cottingham and Faye Cottingham both of Hummelstown, Linda Cottingham of Virginia, and Patricia Gontz of Palmyra; eight grandchildren; twenty great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 11 AM in the Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, with The Rev. Doug Pyszka, her pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Fishburn Cemetery, Hershey. Viewings will be in the funeral home on Friday, June 10 from 6 to 8 PM and again on Saturday from 10 AM until time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central PA, 1320 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or to Victory Christian Fellowship, 695 East Ridge Road, PO Box 313, Palmyra, PA 17078.
Online condolences may be shared at www.trefzandbowser.com.