Evelyn M. Hunsicker

Evelyn May (Yerger) Hunsicker was born in Hamburg on September 23, 1936.

The daughter of Mary (Williamson) and William Yerger, Evelyn was orphaned at six months old, was raised by her aunt Beatrice (nee Williamson) and uncle Lee Rothermel in Auburn, Schuylkill County, and graduated from Auburn High School. Mementoes from her academic and athletic achievements there are in the collection of the Auburn Area Historical Society. She was married to and divorced from Robert Hunsicker.

She was employed at the Hubler Shoe Factory, Auburn; Wright's Knitting Mill, Hamburg; and later resided for 13 years in Lakeland, Florida, where she was employed at The Estates at Carpenters.

Upon her return to and retirement in Hamburg, she was self-employed as a seamstress and garment preparer for men's and women's shops in Hamburg.

Among the highlights of her life were vacation voyages on several cruise ships with her aunt Mabel and uncle Charles, and especially a visit to a long-time pen pal in Brisbane, Australia. That visit prompted one of her passions, gathering toy and collectible koala bears–dozens of them–which she proudly displayed in her apartment in Hamburg.

She last resided at Complete Care at Berkshire, Exeter Township.

That's the official obituary stuff. Here's the lighter side.

While mourning her passing–and believe me, she will be missed–I would prefer to remember the good times–and believe me again, there were many.

The King Frost Parades that trotted right past her door…the Hamburg-er Festivals…lunch up the street, breakfast down the street.

When she was able, we took her on long rides, long walks, for long lunches, and engaged in long conversations, peppered with lots of laughs.

What kind of sense of humor did Evelyn possess?

Try this, and try to understand that sense of humor: Fully aware that two tumors deep in her body were sapping life from her and much of the time making her uncomfortable, she fought the pain with what I shall sardonically call "tumor humor."

Smiling and smirking, she referred to them as the "little aliens," as "critters" inside her and changed the subject–usually to news about and for friends and kin.

We were fortunate to find her a very secure room at Complete Care at Berkshire, only about a five-minute drive from our house. We could–and did–visit her regularly.

From spring to summer in her bed there, and after her eyesight and hearing took deep dives, she would spend time tethered by earplugs to the radio (WEEU, of course). She could converse intelligently about local and world events…and especially about the Philadelphia Phillies.

As she transitioned into Hospice care, she never once complained about the care, the food, or the facilities. She enjoyed when we wheeled her out on the front porch for some fresh air and sunshine, and hinted strongly–very strongly, with a wink of one of her blue eyes–that she could "sure use" a mocha shake from Arby's or a chocolate shake from Dairy Queen…or one of the home-made delicacies from Theresa's kitchen. Her wishes were our commands. We were happy to do whatever we could, whenever we could. And, she was ever grateful.

As the inevitable became more obvious, and as life slowly and cruelly trickled from her, Evelyn would not surrender–"rutching around" when she knew she shouldn't–and paying a price when she would flop to the floor on her butt and was scolded–but immediately tended to–by the ubiquitous and adept caregivers.

Although I shuddered whenever I received a call from one of those caregivers, fearing bad news was to follow, I was more times than not assured that she was fine–after being a bit more adventurous than a bedridden person should be.

Evelyn May Yerger Hunsicker exited her last place of earthly residence at precisely 1:35 p.m. on Sunday, August 24, 2025, just hours after taking her last breaths that morning…and at the very minute her beloved Philadelphia Phillies started their game…which, with Evelyn's cheering after settling into a box seat far above, they won.

. . .Remembrances of her loving cousin, Charlie Adams

Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., is honored to handle services for our friend Evelyn. For online condolences, please visit www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com