Pauline Elizabeth (Ebert) Lerch, 98, of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, passed away quietly into her next life on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at Holy Family Senior Center in Bethlehem, PA.
She was born on February 3, 1926 to the late Arthur and Elsie (Schaffer) Ebert.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Clifford (Fretz) Lerch, her companion Warren Gross, her siblings Evelyn Heckman, Kathryn Gutshall, and Robert Ebert, son-in-law Eric Grulke and one great-grandchild.
As a graduate of Bethlehem Business School, Pauline worked at North Penn Grocery Warehouse and at Quakertown National Bank before her children were born. She then served as the bookkeeper for her husband’s automobile repair business, “Automotive Special Services.” After all her children were grown, she enjoyed returning to Quakertown National Bank to work.
Pauline’s faith was important to her. She was a lifelong member of First Church of the Brethren, Quakertown PA, where she served in many roles over the years including working in the church’s food pantry, teaching Sunday School and Bible School and serving as a Deacon’s wife. Pauline loved music. She played the cello and piano, and sang in the church choir. Her love of music was passed on to her children. In her earlier years, she was a busy mother, supporting her husband in his church and community roles. Later in life, she could often be found reading, gardening, canning and freezing vegetables and fruit for the winter. Pauline also enjoyed sewing, quilting and knitting or crocheting items to give away to family and those in need in foreign countries through Brethren Relief Services.
Pauline and her husband loved to travel and in retirement owned second homes in Florida and New Jersey. They particularly enjoyed being in New England during the fall season,
Pauline devoted her life to her family. She is survived by six children, Rev. Marilyn Lerch, Roanoke VA, Virginia Grulke, Lexington, KY, Ellen Yorgey (James) Allentown, Audrey Howard (William) Coopersburg, Gerald Lerch (Andrea) and Christopher Lerch (Sonya) both of Springfield Twp. In addition she leaves 21 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Pauline will be missed and remembered with love by all her family.
A visitation will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024, from 10:15am until the time of the memorial service at 11:00am at the First Church of the Brethren, 455 Trumbauersville Road, Quakertown, PA 18951.
Interment will be in the Springfield Church of the Brethren Cemetery, Springfield Twp.
Arrangements are under the care of the C.R.Strunk Funeral Home, Inc, Quakertown.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in Pauline’s name, to Heaven’s Bounty Food Pantry, 455 Trumbauersville Road, Quakertown, PA 18951.
”Into paradise, Pauline, may the angels lead you!”
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