Gladys Knoebel Persing

Gladys Hope (Knoebel) Persing


Gladys Hope (Knoebel) Persing, age 101, formerly from Elysburg, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend went home to her Lord on September 18, 2012 at 12:14 p.m. in the Emmanuel Nursing Center, Danville, where she resided for the past seven years.

Born on October 13, 1910 in Ralpho Township, Northumberland County, she was a daughter of the late Henry H. and Hattie (Fetterolf) Knoebel. She graduated from the former Ralpho High School and went on to get her business degree from Susquehanna University in 1931. Following college, she returned to the family business, Knoebel's Lumber, where she worked for many years.

Gladys was a lifelong and devoted member of the Elysburg Presbyterian Church , where she taught Sunday school and was especially fond of the Willing Workers Class. She was a wonderful homemaker, who enjoyed cooking, canning, baking, sewing and gardening. With her beloved husband, David, she also owned and operated Knoebel's Grove Skating Rink for some 40 years. She also belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star.

Gladys and Dave often camped and fished. They also traveled often to Flordia and Canada with their sons David and Lynn. They would annually take an extended cruise or trip outside of the United States. Gladys will be missed by everyone who knew her for her kindness, generosity and optimistic spirit.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David, in 1995 and by her three brothers: Lawrence, Jennings and Hartman (Pete).

Surviving are her two sons:  Dale D. Persing, and his wife Barbara, Catawissa and Lynn E. Persing, and his wife Gretchen, Selinsgrove; six grandchildren: Dr. Dale D. Persing, Jr., Maine; Scott Coffey, and his wife Andrea, Northampton; Devon Persing, Seattle, Wash; Pastor Sean Coffey, and his wife Kathy and children, Maugansville, Md; Nathaniel Persing, and his wife Tina and children, Muncy; Forrest Persing and wife Ashlee and son, Tyler, Texas; and Alissa, wife of Jonathan Evans and daughter, Sunbury; and a sister, Dawn (Knoebel), wife of Glenn Wert, Harrisburg.

A memorial service to celebrate  her life will be held on Sunday, November 18, 2012, at 4 p. m. at the Elysburg Presbyterian Church, Valley Avenue, Elysburg,  with her pastor, Rev. Matthew Young officiating.  

Memorials may be sent in her memory to the Elysburg Presbyterian Church, scholarship fund, Elysburg, PA  17824 or to the Emmanuel Nursing Center, 600 Schoolhouse Road., Danville, Pa.