Betty Lou Marbarger

BETTY LOU MARBARGER, 83, of Muhlenberg Township, died peacefully in her home Thursday, May 11, 2017.

For 58 years, she was the loving wife of the late Harold C. Marbarger who passed April 20, 2014.

Born May 29, 1933, she was a lifelong resident of the Reading area, Betty Lou, was an only child of the late Clarence V. and Esther (Ditzler) Meck.

Growing up Betty Lou enjoyed spending weekends at her grandparents' farm in Lebanon. A graduate of Muhlenberg High School, she was the Secretary of the class of 1951. Pursing a nursing career, Betty Lou attended the Reading Hospital School of Nursing where she earned her degree as a registered nurse in 1954. A year later, she married her soul mate and started a family.

Betty Lou found balance of career and family as a private duty nurse where she could manage her own schedule at doctors' offices, nursing homes and private residences. She was a lifelong member of Rosedale United Church of Christ and for a long time she enjoyed the company of her friends from various church groups, Sunday school, and alumni functions. After retiring from nursing, Betty Lou worked in her community; she completed local insurance physicals for Prudential and was the Muhlenberg Health Inspector. Betty Lou and Harold enjoyed traveling together, they visited almost every state in the country, including Alaska and Hawaii, only missing the state of Oregon. Cape May was also a favorite get-away, spending time with her grandchildren. Betty Lou enjoyed music, locally she and Harold would attend concerts together. Fat-Tuesday will forever bring memories of Betty Lou's fasnachts; an annual baking tradition she started long ago with her mother. She found great joy in simple visits from her children, particularly the daily check-in by her son and his dog, Axl.

Betty Lou is survived by three children, Debra Lynn Marbarger and her husband John W. Kemmerling of Robeson Twp., Jody Marie Paolino and her husband, Dr. Robert M. Paolino, of Malvern, and Craig Harold Marbarger of Maiden Creek Twp.

She is also survived by three grandchildren, Colette A. Kemmerling and her husband, Samuel F. Breckenridge, Dr. Christopher R. Paolino, and Rachael L. Paolino.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. in the Milkins Giles Funeral Home, Inc., 4914 Kutztown Rd., Temple, PA, co-officiated by Reverend Dr. Robert G. Aregood and Pastor Kenneth J. McDowell of Rosedale United Church of Christ. The family will receive relatives and friends Tuesday, May 16 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Interment will immediately follow the funeral service in Laureldale Cemetery, Laureldale, PA.

Memorial contributions may be made to Rosedale United Church of Christ, 1301 E Bellevue Ave, Reading, PA 19605.

The Marbarger family is sincerely grateful for the for the compassionate care their mother received from Dr. Nick Leasure and the entire staff of the McGlinn Cancer Institute.

Online condolences may be placed at www.milkinsgilesfuneralhome.com.