Koch Funeral Home - PA

Creigh S. Snyder, Jr., 93, of State College, died Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at The Atrium at The Village At Penn State. Born September 4, 1928, in Carlisle, he was the son of the late Creigh S., Sr. and Helen Wolfe Snyder. Creigh served in the United States Navy from 1946-1948. Within two weeks of discharge, he married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Heishman, who preceded him in death on March 14, 2015. Creigh earned a degree in Mortuary Science from Eckels Mortuary School in 1950 and worked as a Funeral Director in Grove City and Mercer, serving as the community's de facto ambulance driver as well. He then became a salesman for the York Casket Company and, later, a partner in the...

Jeffery "Jeff" Gesell Derge, 77, of State College, died of cancer on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at home. Born July 26, 1943, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late Gerhard J. and Katharine McKechnie Derge. On June 12, 1965 he married his high school sweetheart Dorothy "Dorrie" Bauer, who survives. In addition to his wife, Jeff is survived by his two children, Gillmer J. Derge of Cohoes, NY, and Katharine D. "Kathy" Gipe and her husband Philip of State College; and two grandchildren, Alice and Lewis Gipe. Also surviving are special brother-in-law Bob Roberts and his wife Sylvia, as well as nephews and grand-nieces and nephews. Jeff was predeceased by his sister Portia D. Herford and...

On November 23, 2020, in State College, PA, Carrie Mae Jennings Bell fulfilled her awesome journey in this life with beauty, intellect, dignity, grace, and a Black cultural work ethic. She rose from working in the homes and cotton fields of White Southerners with her mother to earn college degrees and careers in the North as a successful Black female administrator and psychological counselor. She also traveled in Canada, Jamaica, Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain, Portugal, and China with her husband, PSU Professor and Research Scholar Emeritus, USIA Fulbright Scholar and Specialist Bernard William Bell, Ph.D. Born December 23, 1936, Carrie was a member of Reeves Chapel AME Zion...

Gladys Carlson, 90, of State College passed away at home on November 19th after a courageous battle with cancer surrounded by her family. Born December 23, 1928 in Johnstown PA to George and Mary Hamara. Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Carlson, who she married in 1949. Gladys was also preceded in death by 9 brothers and sisters. Gladys is survived by her two sons, Jerry Carlson and his wife, Sara, of State College and Randy Carlson and his wife, Cathy, of Boalsburg. Gladys is also survived by grandchildren, Jennifer Castro of Mechanicsburg, PA, Erin Loy and her husband, Justin, of State College, Amy Blake and her husband, Michael, of State College and Kenny Carlson...