Hazel Leberknight

Hazel M. Leberknight, 97, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away Saturday evening, January 28, 2012 at Menno Haven where she had been a guest for the past two months. Born February 9, 1914 in Southampton Township, Franklin County, she was a daughter of the late George W. and Stella Hancock Ingram. Hazel attended school in Southampton Township and at the Rowland Lab School on the Shippensburg University Campus. Early in her life she was employed at the former Penn Pants and the Shirt Craft Company, both in Shippensburg. She was last employed as a cashier at Hollar’s Grocery in Chambersburg. Her husband, Gerald A. Leberknight preceded her in death on May 18, 1997.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and had served as a 4-H leader and as a Division leader for both the Franklin County Red Cross Blood Drive and the American Cancer Society Drive. She was a past member and officer of the Norland Garden Club. Hazel was very active in politics throughout her life, serving as a Democratic Committee Woman and on the Election Board in Southampton Township. She served as Vice Chairman of the Franklin County Democratic Executive Committee where she served as County Chairman on two occasions. She was a member and President for two terms of the Women’s Democratic Club of Franklin County and served as Regional Director of District #9 for two terms. She served as Sixth Vice President, Fifth Vice President, and Fourth Vice President of the Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women and was a candidate for the Pennsylvania State Legislature in 1960. Her hobbies included cooking and baking and in her later years she enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles.

She is survived by her son, Gerald T. Leberknight and wife Doris of Chambersburg; her daughter, Kathryn “Kay” Baughman of Chambersburg; two grandchildren, Gary L. Baughman and wife Maria of Shippensburg and Gerald M. Leberknight of Chambersburg; an aunt with whom she was raised as a sister, Mary C. Hollar of Chambersburg; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Ruby Kanner, an infant brother, and her son-in-law, George H. Baughman.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 4, 2012 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 26 West Commerce Street, Chambersburg, PA. Rev. Tara Magoon and Rev. Henry Johnson will officiate. Private interment will be in Lincoln Cemetery. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church.