OBIT: Beula (GONGAWARE) HITCHENS, 2005, Tyrone, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Sharon Miller
<shabodeho@aol.com> 

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/
_________________________________________ 

BEULA G. HITCHENS 

  Beula G. Hitchens, 89, formerly of 9th St., Tyrone, died Wednesday 
March 2, 2005 at Epworth Manor.
  She was born July 2, 1915 in Hermine, a daughter of Carl and Alice 
(Jordan) Gongaware. On June 15, 1941 she married F. Lehman Hitchens who 
died August 13, 2001.
  Surviving are three children, Jay and wife Fran of Hillsborough, 
North Carolina, James of Columbus, Ohio, Judy Arbogast and husband Jeff 
of Niles, Michigan, three grandchildren Annie Hitchens of Baltimore, 
Md., Laura Arbogast of Niles, Michigan and Corey Dengler of 
Jacksonville, Florida.
  She retired from Tyrone Area School District as homebound teacher, 
summer school teacher, part time high school librarian and teachers 
aide. She previously had been a teacher for Jeannette High School and 
at Adams Twp. High School, Sidman. She was a 1932 graduate of Adams 
Twp. High School and a 1936 graduate of Juniata College.
  Mrs. Hitchens was a member of the First Presbyterian Church Tyrone, 
the Presbyterian Woman and the Mariners Group of the church. She was 
past president of the Round Table Club, past president and charter 
member of Questers, a member of the Tyrone Historical Society and 
Tyrone Snyder Public Library Board of Directors. She had been former 
director of the Tyrone Girl Scouting.
  Mrs. Hitchens was very active in church and community affairs. Some 
of her notable endeavors are: she began the Tyrone Presbyterian Weekday 
Nursery in 1968 and served as teacher and director for ten years; a 
Girl Scout leader and Volunteer Trainer, received the "Thanks Badge, 
the then highest award in Girl Scouting; first woman in Tyrone to 
receive the JayCee Distinguished Service Award; honored on the "People 
are Great' series on WTAJ TV and was Camp Allegheny Church Camp 
Counselor for many years.
  She once said her greatest contribution to life was that she loved 
teaching kids.
  Funeral services will be held Friday, March 4, 2005 at 2 p.m. at 
Feller Memorial Home with Chaplain Joan Smith Officiating. Interment 
will follow at Blair Memorial Park. Friends will be received at the 
funeral home on Friday from noon until the time of services.  

Tyrone Daily Herald, March 3, 2005