Obituary for Joan E. Hornberger
Joan E.,“Joanie”, Hornberger (née Strubing) 91, formerly of Laureldale, passed away at Brethren Village Retirement Community in Lititz, PA,. She was married to Arthur J. Hornberger for 57 years, until his death in 2011. Born at Reading Hospital to Edna R.(Kennedy) and James W. Strubing, Joan graduated from Muhlenberg High School in 1949 and was proud to graduate from the Reading Hospital School of Nursing in 1954.
As a Registered Nurse for 42 years, Joan worked at the Berks Heim, Wernersville State Hospital, and various physicians’ offices before retiring in 1995. She volunteered for Berks Visiting Nurse Association, Reading Hospital Alumni Association, Berks Food Bank, and Miller-Keystone Blood Bank.
She was a member of Wyomissing Church of the Brethren, serving as Deacon and Sunday School Teacher. Joan also volunteered time at Camp Swatara as a camp nurse and later as a camp grandmother.
Joan enjoyed traveling and organized many bus tours across the country. Equipped with a sense of humor, she was always quick with a quip or prank. Joan started selling Avon in 1977, quickly achieved Presidents Club status, and made many friends as their Avon Lady. She became an avid collector of (too many) Avon bottles and jewelry. Her creativity led her to many hobbies including writing poems, making jewelry and sand art terrariums, crafting with her Camp Fire Girls and Blue Bird troops, reading, and hosting picnics for family gatherings and friends. She cherished and enjoyed time with her daughters and family.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, husband Arthur, and grandson Wesley Mekeel; survived by daughters: Cheryl A. Williams (Lionel) Mt. Penn, PA.; DeeDee R. Kellum (Jim) Sunbury, PA; and Eileen S. H. Thompson (Craig) Madison, WI.; sister Betty Jane Oswald, Laureldale, PA; grandchildren: Lance Mekeel (Sarah), Marieke and Morgan Williams, Keegan and Quinlan Thompson; and great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Claire Mekeel.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Camp Swatara; 2905 Camp Swatara Rd., Bethel, PA 19507; or Alzheimer’s Disease Assoc., 237 Court. St., Reading, PA 19601. A celebration of life will be held in the future. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc, is entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.
As a Registered Nurse for 42 years, Joan worked at the Berks Heim, Wernersville State Hospital, and various physicians’ offices before retiring in 1995. She volunteered for Berks Visiting Nurse Association, Reading Hospital Alumni Association, Berks Food Bank, and Miller-Keystone Blood Bank.
She was a member of Wyomissing Church of the Brethren, serving as Deacon and Sunday School Teacher. Joan also volunteered time at Camp Swatara as a camp nurse and later as a camp grandmother.
Joan enjoyed traveling and organized many bus tours across the country. Equipped with a sense of humor, she was always quick with a quip or prank. Joan started selling Avon in 1977, quickly achieved Presidents Club status, and made many friends as their Avon Lady. She became an avid collector of (too many) Avon bottles and jewelry. Her creativity led her to many hobbies including writing poems, making jewelry and sand art terrariums, crafting with her Camp Fire Girls and Blue Bird troops, reading, and hosting picnics for family gatherings and friends. She cherished and enjoyed time with her daughters and family.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, husband Arthur, and grandson Wesley Mekeel; survived by daughters: Cheryl A. Williams (Lionel) Mt. Penn, PA.; DeeDee R. Kellum (Jim) Sunbury, PA; and Eileen S. H. Thompson (Craig) Madison, WI.; sister Betty Jane Oswald, Laureldale, PA; grandchildren: Lance Mekeel (Sarah), Marieke and Morgan Williams, Keegan and Quinlan Thompson; and great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Claire Mekeel.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Camp Swatara; 2905 Camp Swatara Rd., Bethel, PA 19507; or Alzheimer’s Disease Assoc., 237 Court. St., Reading, PA 19601. A celebration of life will be held in the future. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc, is entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.