Madeline E Sowers

On Thursday, April 13, 2017, Madeline E. Sowers, formally of Orwigsburg, Pa, softly passed away in Royal Park, Hospice Care in Matthews, NC, surrounded by her loving family.  Born on July 4, 1928, Madeline was the only daughter of the late Winfield S. and Alice E. Kriner.  She was the proud wife of the late Willard, "Bill" Sowers for 58 years. 

Madeline received her BS in Elementary Ed and her M.Ed. in Reading from Kutztown State College, respectively in 1950 and 1967.  She began her teaching career in Landingville, PA in a one room school house.  She taught first through 8th graders until she became a Social Studies teacher in the Blue Mountain Area School District in Orwigsburg.  After a fulfilling and rewarding 38 year career, Madeline retired to begin the next chapter of her life. 

She and Bill enjoyed traveling, particularly to Williamsburg, VA and Charleston, SC.  She also enjoyed reading, theater trips to New York City, shopping at Hess's Department Store, and dancing with Bill, but her greatest love and pride was in her role of grandmother.  Everyone who knew her also knew about her only grandson, Christopher. Some of her favorite memories were dinners with her family and she and Christopher's numerous trips to The Deer Lake Inn and The Village Inn. 

Madeline was a member of St John's UCC Church in Orwigsburg.  She was a former Sunday school teacher and for several years, she directed the annual Christmas pageant for the Women's Guild. She would also help her "Bill" with the annual Memorial Day parade and taught many, many former students to recite "In Flanders Field" for the program.  Her deep regard and appreciation for American Revolutionary history was unsurpassed. Most family vacations were centered on historical sites throughout the United States and Canada. 

She was a lifelong member of the Orwigsburg Chapter of the Eastern Star, a champion for animal rights and a curious woman who insisted that all children deserved a "proper" education. 

Her family, her friends and those who knew Mrs. Sowers as their teacher, will certainly have many stories to tell. We will miss her, but will always cherish her spunk, her wit and her indomitable spirit.  She is now with her Bill and once again, is young at heart. 

Mrs. Sowers will be deeply missed by her daughter, Priscilla Johnson and her husband, Michael of Allentown, Pa, her grandson, Christopher Johnson and his wife, Joy of Charlotte, NC and her two great grandchildren, Gwendolyn and Cooper Johnson. 

A Religious Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, April 19th at Hamilton - Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. in Orwigsburg, PA with Rev. Dr. Jan Remer-Osborn officiating. Friends are invited to call from 9:30:00 until 10:45 at which time there will be an Eastern Star Service. Interment will follow at Salem Evangelical Cemetery Orwigsburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington VA 22202 or St. John's United Church of Christ, 236 East Market Street, Orwigsburg, PA 17961.

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