Donna Spitler, née Ertel, passed away on Monday, May 13th in Williamsport, Pennsylvania at the age of 91.
The oldest of three children and the granddaughter of German immigrants, Donna was born June 4, 1932, to Helen and Clarence Ertel in Montoursville, Pa. She graduated from Montoursville High School and held a bachelor’s degree from Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa (1954) and a master’s degree in education from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa (1973). Donna inherited her passion for education from her father and passed it on to her six children, all of whom hold bachelor’s degrees, and some hold higher degrees.
Donna married Thomas (Tom) Spitler, also of Montoursville, in 1954. Together they had six children, five by the time Donna was thirty-one. Donna was a true pioneer, combining motherhood and a career before it was fashionable to do so. She taught in the Montoursville school system until she was required to resign due to pregnancy, the custom at the time. In 1964 Donna, Tom, and family moved to Howland Township (Warren), Ohio, where Donna soon resumed her school-teaching career. Over the years she taught various subjects, including English and art, and perhaps most notably, physical education. Donna’s youngest child was born in 1972, prompting yet another interruption to her career as a schoolteacher.
In 1974 Donna, Tom and family returned to Williamsport, Pa, where Donna expanded her horizons again, as a teacher and tester at the Allenwood Federal Penitentiary. At Allenwood, Donna met (and tested) some famous criminals, including G. Gordon Liddy of Watergate fame. During this period, her children began to leave home to go away to college. In 1980, Donna, Tom and their youngest child moved to Wooster, Ohio where Donna resumed her school-teaching career, teaching children with learning disabilities. Donna always had a soft spot for infants and young children.
Like the late Queen, Donna was duty-bound, so while her own children were encouraged to be independent, they were never neglected. Donna managed to maintain several interests throughout her life, many of which she passed on to her children. She was a scorekeeper for the first Little League World Series in 1947 and remained a devoted baseball fan until the end of her life, rooting often for the underdog. She enjoyed oil-painting, particularly still-life and landscapes, and her competitive nature showed when playing board games and cards, including contract bridge. Due to Donna’s love of nature, stemming from childhood visits to the family’s cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, Donna and Tom took the family on camping vacations, and introduced their children to many of the country’s national and state parks.
Donna’s sense of social responsibility and interest in the larger world showed through her actions. She often volunteered at church events, and she was a member of the civic club in Wooster. She maintained several life-long friendships, including with Nell Eshler and Maxine Everett. She ensured that her children understood the importance of events in society, such as the riots at Kent State and the first man walking on the moon. In later life, Donna traveled with Tom, notably to Europe, China, and New Zealand.
Having lived through the Great Depression, Donna never lost her ability to pinch pennies or to keep her sense of humor. Donna was a member of several churches throughout her life, including Bethany Lutheran Church in Montoursville, Living Lord Lutheran Church in Howland Township, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Williamsport, and Zion Lutheran Church in Wooster.
Donna cared deeply for her two siblings, Allen and Carmen, and was heartbroken when they both passed away in 2015. Donna is survived by her husband of 69 years, their six children and respective spouses, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews and their families.
Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. May 19, 2024, at McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home, 733 Broad St., Montoursville, with Rev. Jeff L. LeCrone officiating. Friends may call from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. A graveside committal service will be held May 20, 2024, at Montoursville Cemetery beginning at 10:30 a.m.
The family will provide the flowers and suggest memorial contributions to Taylor J. Ertel Foster Children’s Scholarship Fund at First Community Foundation Partnership or Lycoming College.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at mccartythomas.com.
