Sara E. Hartenstine

Sara E. Hartenstine, 96, of Tower City, died Friday, March 15, 2013 at Tremont Health & Rehabilitation Center.

Born in Butler Township, May 22, 1916, she was a daughter of the late Isaac and Elizabeth Brassington.

She was a graduate of Frackville High School, where she was salutatorian of her class.

Sara was a rural mail carrier for the postal service in Tower City and Williamstown.

She was recognized as one of the first female rural mail carriers by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

She was an active member of the Christ United Methodist Church, Tower City, where she formerly served as financial secretary, leader of the United Methodist Women, long-time Sunday school teacher, lay representative at the annual conference and was active with the United Methodist Youth Fellowship.

She was a former health inspector for the borough of Tower City.

She was also honored as 1967 Mother of the Year from Penn State University.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Olin C.; a daughter, Lois Lower; a son, O. Evan Hartenstine; a grandson, Van Hartenstine.

Surviving are her five children, the Rev. Dr. Milton Hartenstine, Palmerton, Neil Hartenstine, Hollywood, Fla., Judith Clovsky, Elmira, N.Y., Warren Hartenstine, Havre De Grace, Md., and Don Hartenstine, Lewisberry; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 20 at Christ United Methodist Church with the Rev. Natalya Cherry officiating. Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sara's memory to Christ United Methodist Church, P.O. Box F, Tower City, PA 17980. Dimon Funeral Homes Inc., Tower City, was in charge of arrangements.