Obituary of Mae L. Weinschenker

Mae Laverne Weinschenker, 85, of Unity Township, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, at Westmoreland Hospital. She was born May 28, 1929, in Unity Township, a daughter of the late Levi B. Silvis and Melva (Bennett) Silvis. As a girl, she worked for the family farm with her sisters as well as volunteering in the Observer Corp during World War II at the "lookout" stationed on the farm. She graduated from Greensburg High School in 1947 and worked for a time at Royers department store in Greensburg. On Dec. 31, 1947, she married the love of her life, Richard E. Weinschenker Jr. The two lived near Mountain View until 1960, when they moved to the Westmoreland Fairgrounds where Richard served as caretaker. There, Mae wore many hats. Besides raising her family and helping her husband and father run the farm, Mae also ran the refreshment stand for square dances at the barn, sold tickets for the grandstand arena and served as superintendant for canned goods. After the death of her father in 1987, Mae and Dick moved to the family farm, where she cared for her mother until her passing. Aside from keeping her house in order and her family well-fed, Mae enjoyed watching her soap operas, canning her own produce, sewing, knitting and reupholstering furniture, as well as other arts and crafts. She always kept a sharp mind, doing crossword puzzles daily, watching game shows and even occasionally outsmarting her youngest son while watching Jeopardy! In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Leona Silvis Bolha; and nephew, Michael Bolha. She is survived by her sister, Roberta Silvis Weinschenker and husband, Maurice, of Irwin; her daughter, Deborah Stumpf and husband, Richard, of Indiana, Pa.; three sons, Richard E. Weinschenker III and wife, Nancy (Trout), of Marshall Township, William S. Weinschenker and wife, Denise (Morsillo), of Salem, Conn., and Kris L. Weinschenker, of Unity Township; four nephews; two nieces; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss her very much. There will be no viewing. Interment will be private. Arrangements are by JAY A. HOFFER FUNERAL HOME OF NORVELT.