Pearl Groce-Mellinger

Pearl I. Groce-Mellinger, 91, of Shippensburg, departed this life on the morning of Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at the Chambersburg Hospital.

She was born on July 15, 1925, in Letterkenny Twp., Franklin Co., a daughter of the late Clyde A. and Clara Beltz Diehl.

Pearl worked for many years as a seamstress at several of the former local garment factories. She was an active member of the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church for close to seventy years. Pearl enjoyed cooking and most who knew her enjoyed her cooking. She looked forward to getting together to work on piecing quilts with her friends in Rine Village. Pearl loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and will be dearly missed by all who knew and cared for her.

She is survived by her husband, Donald S. Mellinger of Shippensburg; her son, Gerald A. (Peggy) Groce of Newburg; two granddaughters, Michele Y. (Brian) Duda of Avondale and Danielle R. (Andrew) Mason of Hagerstown, MD; four great grandchildren, Michaela and Aidan Duda, and Jaden and Walker Mason; three sisters, Eleanor (John) Seibert of Shippensburg, Lottie Stouffer of Shippensburg, and Jane Rine of Orrstown; two sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Pearl was preceded in death by her first husband, Levi G. Groce, who died on May 26, 1991; eight brothers; and two sisters.

Her funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church, Shippensburg. The Rev. James R. Richwine will officiate. Private interment will be held in the Cumberland Valley Memorial Gardens, Carlisle. Viewing will be Saturday evening, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc., Shippensburg, and one hour prior to the service on Sunday at church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church c/o: The Organ Fund at 135 Middle Spring Road Shippensburg, PA 17257.