Erla M. Gallagher

Surrounded by her loving family, Erla Marie (Diehl) Gallagher entered Eternal Life on Wednesday evening, January 14, 2026, at her home, and into the arms of Our Dear Lord. She was the beloved wife of the late Paul A. Gallagher.
Erla was born on October 19,1929, in Bedford, PA, the oldest of 6 children, to Irving T. Diehl and C. Marie Knisely Diehl. She learned to love flowers from her Grandma Elsie Diehl who gardened extensively. The family moved to Blue Knob, PA, opening a convenience store and service station in the 1930s. There, Erla helped her parents 'tend store' when the door chimed. It was there that she met handsome Army Air Force Corporal Paul Gallagher, from nearby Gallitzin. Erla and Paul were married for 67 years.
Early married and family years were spent in Lancaster, before moving to York in 1953. She had been a parishioner and pillar of St Joseph Church since then. Erla dedicated one of the large stained- glass windows from the previous Princess Street church building which was brought to the stained- glass window array in St Joseph Church chapel. She was very active in The Council of Catholic Women for many years. It is thought that she was the longest serving committee / member of St Joseph's CCW. She volunteered and managed the Food Service weekly at Bingo for 30 plus years, often outsourcing foodstuffs for quality and value. She knew how to manage finances!
Erla was employed at various times by Shiny Brite, Pleasant Acres Kitchen, and worked for over 22 years at Reliance Bus as a school bus driver. She socialized at the White Rose Senior Center regularly after retiring from Reliance when she was 70.
Erla instilled a strong work ethic in her children and committed to educating all 12 in Catholic school, including her support of those in music and sports. "Mom's taxi" was a real part of her family life. Erla volunteered at Misericordia Nursing Home and as a 4-H leader, teaching sewing, cooking, and homecrafts. She was very proud of each one of her children.
She is survived by her 12 children, Stephanie Gallagher, Lynn Maher and John, Eloise Schoch and Ernie, Paulette Flemmens and Richard, Philip Gallagher and Deborah, Brian Gallagher and Debbie, Ellen Gallagher and Ron, Bernadette Dailey and Randy, Mark Gallagher, Marie Fisher and Jim, Lisa Gallagher, Sean Gallagher and Jeanine. Erla is also survived by 32 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren.
Erla is survived by three siblings, John Nevin Diehl, Faye Irene Jondle, and Myra Ellen Reynolds. Carl Irving Diehl and Mary Louise Comerford pre-deceased her.
Viewing will be held at St Joseph Catholic Church 2935 Kingston Rd, York, on Saturday January 24 from 10:00 to 11:00, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am with Father Andrew St Denis presiding. Burial will be in Holy Saviour Cemetery.
Donations in memory of Erla Gallagher may be made to St Joseph Catholic Church in York, and York Catholic High School 601 E Springettsbury Ave, York PA.