Patricia (Rumple) Gutshall

Patricia “Pat” (Rumple) Gutshall of Blain, age 80, joined her Heavenly Father on February 10, 2021.  Born on September 28, 1940 at home to the late Ralph G. and K. Rosalie (Kline) Rumple of Blain, Pat is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, Virgil Gutshall, Sr.  In addition to her husband, she is survived by four children:  Virgil Gutshall, Jr. of Blain, Ann (Patrick) Brinkerhoff of Mechanicsburg, Lucinda (Patrick Patry) Egolf of Fitzgerald, GA, and Rebecca (Thomas III) Dum of Elliottsburg, and four grandchildren:  Liam Brinkerhoff of Mechanicsburg, Gabrielle and Emma Egolf of Shermans Dale and Quinn Dum of Elliottsburg.  Pat is also survived by two sisters:  Kay (Robert) Davey of Flemington and Connie (Reverend Robert) Basom of Plattsburgh, NY, many nieces and nephews, cousins, and a special sister-in-law:  Joanne Roberts.  Pat always put family first – especially the grandchildren!  She was generous, giving and loving.

Pat met Virgil, Sr. in grade school, where they became sweethearts, and have been together ever since.  She graduated as Salutatorian with the class of 1958 from Blain Union High School.  After high school, she worked as a secretary for the Perry County Superintendent of Schools and the Pennsylvania Department of Highways (the forerunner to PennDOT), as an aide at the Messiah Day Care Center in Elliottsburg, and she was a Patriot News carrier.    

She was a member of the former Blain Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School and played the piano for services.  In addition to being a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother, Pat was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Blain Fire Department and the Blain Ambulance Club.  She loved bird watching and being outside and was an exceptionally reliable helper with all the family farm activities.  She enjoyed working in the garden, watching her children grow into adults, crocheting, sewing, reading, and completing word searches and crossword puzzles.  She traveled with her husband on many educational Newport FFA field trips as well as independently to Hawaii, Alaska, and 43 other states.  She toured with groups to England, Scotland, Wales, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, and Iceland.  Her favorite place to visit was Niagara Falls where they honeymooned and visited many times, as well as, she thoroughly enjoyed Mount Rushmore and Lawrence Welk’s Homestead in South Dakota. Additionally, a few of her favorite pastimes were watching the Lawrence Welk Show, the Sound of Music, and the Spoken Word on Sunday mornings.

The viewing for Pat will be held at Nickel Lochstampfor Family Funeral Home in Loysville, in the newly renovated chapel, on Wednesday, February 17 from 11 am to 1 pm.  The funeral service will follow the viewing, with the Rev. Bill Pipp officiating.  The interment will follow the funeral service at Blain Cemetery.  These services will follow the COVID parameters of social distancing with masks required.

Memorial donations may be made in Pat’s name to Hospice of Central PA, 1320 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA  17110 and the Blain Ambulance Club, Box 7, Blain, PA 17006.

Arrangements entrusted to Nickel Lochstampfor Family Funeral Home, Inc.

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