Rhoda Sanders

Rhoda J. “Aunt Rhoda” Sanders, 71, of Marion, PA, passed away Saturday morning, June 6, 2015 at the home of her brother and sister-in-law, David and Ruth Ann Longacre in Orrstown. Born September 30, 1943 in Pottstown, PA, she was a daughter of the late Daniel K. and Miriam E. Reeser Longacre. Rhoda grew up on a dairy farm in Spring City, PA and was a 1961 graduate of the Lancaster Mennonite High School. She spent one year, from 1964-1965 in voluntary service in Glenwood Springs, CO and then went on the graduate in 1968 from the La Junta Hospital School of Practical Nursing in La Junta, CO. She spent most of her adult life working in hospitals in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Oklahoma for 26 years. She lovingly cared for severely handicapped children at Bethany Children’s Center in Oklahoma City, OK. Upon her retirement from nursing in 2007 she moved to Marion, PA.

Rhoda was a member of the Oklahoma City Brethren In Christ Church and attended the Pond Bank Community Church near Duffield, PA. She volunteered at the New Life Thrift Store and at the Cumberland Valley Relief Center. She enjoyed making shoo fly pie and chow-chow and giving it away.

She is survived by two brothers, Melvin C. Longacre of Morgantown, PA and David R. Longacre (wife Ruth Ann) of Orrstown, PA; six nieces and nephews, D. Michael Longacre (wife Tonya), Lisa Wadel (husband Chad), Wesley Longacre (wife Laura), William Longacre (wife Christy), Eric Kennel (wife Beth), and Carmen Garber (husband Josiah); and ten great nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Charles Brubaker.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at Air Hill Brethren In Christ Church, 7041 Cumberland Highway, Chambersburg, PA with Rev. Jeremy Lehman officiating. Interment will follow at Air Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Tuesday at Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church.

Memorial contributions in her name may be made to Sunny Crest Homes, Inc., (where her brother Melvin resides), 2587 Valley View Road, Morgantown, PA 19543.