Obituary for Irene Mae Hockenberry (Culbertson) Irene Mae Culbertson Hockenberry, 88 years old, of Newburg Road, Newburg, PA was carried on angels’ wings to her Heavenly home early Friday morning, December 14, 2018, after suffering a stroke in October 2017. Irene was born on September 6th, 1930 to Pirl David “PD” Culbertson and Lula Marie Bistline Culbertson. She was happily married to Clair Austin Hockenberry and celebrated 62 years of marriage before his death in March of 2010.
She graduated in 1948 from Shippensburg Area Senior High School with a concentration in business. Her first job was at the People’s National Bank in Shippensburg. When her seven children were all in school, Irene enjoyed 20 years of employment at Shippensburg University in the Students Account Office of Old Main.
Irene was the true matriarch of her large family and much loved by many who were privileged to call Irene Mom, Granny, Grammy, Mammaw, sister, cousin, aunt and friend. A remarkable woman, she was also Mom to her children’s friends and a well-respected member of the Newburg community where she resided all of her 88 years. She was a lifelong member of the Newburg First Church of God, carried into the church by her parents when she was born.
She was a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Ever Ready Sunday School Class, treasurer of the Sunday School class, served on many committees, a Summer Vacation Bible School teacher and a life long member of The Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Irene was the Clerk of Elections for over a decade for Hopewell Township. Irene was a collector of antiques, glassware and dishes, and enjoyed decorating her home for holidays and every season.
She and her husband loved Myrtle Beach and since the 1980’s until a few years ago, traveled yearly to Atalaya Towers, always with as many family members as they could take with them, a special memory for her children and grandchildren. Her greatest passion was her family. She is survived by her children, Richard (Peggy), Newburg; Darlene (Dennis) Brenize, Newburg; Bonnie (John) Leach, Newville; Nancy Powell, Shippensburg; Barbara (Michael) Thimgan, Newburg; Gary (Barbara), Newburg; and James (DeEnda), Chambersburg.
She was very proud of her 13 grandchildren and their spouses, her 28 great-grandchildren, 3 step-great-grandchildren and her one great-great grandchild. Irene also loved and shared the lives of many other “special children and grandchildren”, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and many other family members. Irene was predeceased by her husband Clair on March 8, 2010, her son-in-law Melvin Powell on December 21, 2010, her sisters Alverda Culbertson Ocker and Alma Culbertson Bear and her brother Paul Culbertson.
Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at the Newburg First Church of God. Pastor Jim Moss will officiate. Interment will follow in the Otterbein Cemetery.
Viewing will be Monday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc., Shippensburg, and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Newburg First Church of God at 260 Newburg Rd, Newburg, PA 17240. Online condolences may be expressed at www.
fogelsanger-brickerfuneralhome.com.
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