Mae L. Mengel Deatrich

Mae L. Mengel Deatrich, 92, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Schuylkill Center, Pottsville.

Born Jan. 22, 1928, in Schuylkill Haven, she was a daughter of the late Floyd Albert and Alice Louise (Gower) Mengel.

She was the widow of Earl T. "Tex" Deatrich Sr., her loving husband of 61 years, who passed away Sept. 28, 2012.

Mae was a graduate of Schuylkill Haven High School, Class of 1945.

She was formerly employed by Schuylkill Haven High School in the cafeteria and Alpha Mills as a seamstress.

Mae was a devoted member of First United Church of Christ, Schuylkill Haven. She served on the altar guild and was instrumental in preparations for the annual Peach and Strawberry festivals. She made pepper cabbage and peeled potatoes with her church family for "Howard's famous filling."

She belonged to Schuylkill Haven Senior Citizens and enjoyed crafting with friends during "Craft Class."

In addition to her parents and husband, Mae was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Almina Mengel; brother, William David "Sonny" Mengel; sister, Jane Louise Kerschner; daughter-in-law, Denise Deatrich; daughter, Karen Smith.

Mae was a loving mother to three sons, Earl T. Deatrich Jr. and wife, Karen, of Pequea, David L. Deatrich and wife, Leslie, of Collegeville, and Albert F. Deatrich and wife, Linda, of Schuylkill Haven. She was affectionately known as "Gram" by her six grandchildren, Jessica H. Deatrich, Amy L. Barrickman and husband, Bo, E. Thomas Deatrich III and wife, Laura, Benjamin R. Deatrich and wife, Kate, Dr. Sarah K. Watson and husband, Alex, and Rebecca Deatrich Devlin and husband, Brandon; and "Great-Gram" to eight great-grandchildren, Bryn and Trip Barrickman, Emma and Adela Deatrich, Max and Casey Deatrich, Romy Watson and Daniel Devlin. Mae is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Lois Mengel, of Pottsville, and Janet Mimm, of New Ringgold; brother-in-law, Glenn Kerschner; cousin, Jeanne Layton, of Florida; nieces, nephews, extended family, beloved caretakers and friends.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home Inc., Schuylkill Haven, with Pastor James Fidler officiating. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Interment will be privately held in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, at the family's convenience. At the family's request, donations in Mae's memory may be sent to Union Cemetery, 211 Fidler Ave., Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family by visiting, www.gsesfuneralhomes.com. Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home Inc. has been entrusted with arrangements, with cremation services provided by Riverside Cremation Services LLC, both in Schuylkill Haven.