Ruth P. Hershberger 93, of Bedford, died Monday, July 17, 2017 at Pennknoll Village Nursing Home.  She was born on September 28, 1923 in La Vale, MD a daughter of the late Rev. George Henry and Viola (Swartzwelder) Petrea.  In February of 1946 she married Donald H. Hershberger who preceded her in death in November of 1990.  She is survived by a son Donald H. Hershberger and wife Carolyn, of Bedford; grandson, Douglas E. Hershberger, of Virginia Beach, VA; a niece, Patricia “Pat” Smith, widower of Jerry, of Hollidaysburg; and a nephew, Barry Petrea, of Akron, OH.  She was preceded in death by two infant sons, a sister, Wilma Jansen, and a brother, Wallace “Pete” Petrea. 

Ruth grew up in Schellsburg, and then moved to Bedford with her husband where they established Hershberger’s Wallpaper and Paint for over 30 years.  She was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church taking on the role of director of children’s choir, wedding soloist, choir member and Sunday School teacher.  Ruth was also a Eucharistic Minister of home visitation. Ruth was a dedicated volunteer giving many hours as a re-enactor at Old Bedford Village, an usher at the Gardners Memorial Theater, and a guide at Fort Bedford.  She also volunteered her time at Donahoe Manor and until just several years ago gave every Monday morning to the Bedford Senior Citizen’s Center.  Ruth had many creative interests including singing with the Barber Shop Laurlies, the Sweet and Sassey Four, and won multiple awards for her oil paintings of local landscapes.  She was an avid gardener, borrowing many wildflowers along the backroads to plant beside her nursery flowers in her garden.  Ruth was a talented, gifted, creative, Christian and will be sorely missed.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 21, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., in the Chapel, at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home, in Bedford, with Rev. Ray Short officiating.  Burial at Bedford Cemetery.  Friends will be received on Friday, from 10:00 a.m., until the hour of the service at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers those wishing may make memorial contributions in Ruth’s name to: Trinity Lutheran Church, 106 W. Penn Street, Bedford, PA 15522.  Our online guestbook is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com

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