Rita A. Stump

Rita A. (Gibbel) Stump, 86, of Bernville, passed away Sunday, February 11^th in Penn State, St. Joseph Hospital. 

She was married to the late John H. Stump. John and Rita were married for 51 years when John passed away February 12, 2009.

Rita was born in Bethel Twp., daughter of the late Rufus Abraham Gibbel, Sr. and Katie Catherine (Snyder) Gibbel.

Surviving are two sons, Doyle E., husband of Chanelle of Bernville and Duane C., of  Bernville; and four daughters: Debra L., wife of Mark Johns, of Richland; Donna M., wife of Carl Hoffman, of Troy; Doris K., wife of Darin Alspaugh, of Bernville; and Denise F. Stump, of Bernville.

There are also 21 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 1 great great granddaughter.

Rita was a member of the Bethel Dunkard Brethren Church, Bethel.

She is survived by two brothers, Rufus Gibbel, Jr. and Jay Gibbel.

She is predeceased by her siblings, Russel Peiffer, Ray Gibbel, June Beck, Infant Henry Gibbel, Infant Ada Gibbel, and Harvey Gibbel.

She has two honorary sons, William Lesher and Joshua Moyer.

On July 6, 1957, Rita married John Stump. While he completed his 1-W service, she worked with him at Norristown State Hospital. In 1963 John and Rita established Stumpland Farm near Bernville. Rita was a devoted farm wife, helping in the barn as needed, cooking three meals a day for her family and farm workers, and frequently hosting friends. She was active in her Farm Women group, served on the Farm Bureau Women's Committee, and was a member of the Bethel Dunkard Brethren Church.

Over the years she taught art and home-ec classes, decorated cakes, and sewed women's head coverings. She taught herself to play piano and accordion and her family frequently gathered around to sing along as she played her favorite hymns. Rita was definitely the heart of her home, loving her family and friends with her hands. She cooked and baked and canned and sewed most of her children's clothes. Her amazing creativity was evident in her many ceramic projects and the myriad items she crocheted, sewed, quilted, painted, and embroidered. Nothing seemed to please her more than giving away something she had made.

Funeral services will be Friday, February 16^th at 11:15 AM in Bethel Dunkard Brethren Church, Route 419 Bethel, with a viewing in the church from 10:30 AM until 11:15 AM. Justin Beck will be officiating.

A viewing will also be held on Thursday, February 15^th from 5:30 PM until 8 PM in The Kirkhoff Funeral Home, 206 N. Main St., Bernville. 

Interment will follow the service in Frystown Cemetery.

The Kirkhoff Funeral Home in Bernville is entrusted with the funeral arrangements.