Mary Ella Honicker

Mary Ella Honicker, 91, of Providence Place, Pottsville, died Thursday at Rest Haven Nursing Home, Schuylkill Haven. She was born November 28, 1920 in Pottsville daughter of the late George and Anna Ent. Mary was raised by her beloved aunt and uncle, Annette and John Hartstein of the Jalapa section of Pottsville. She remembered both of them with great affection throughout her life. Mary graduated from Pottsville High School in 1938 and from Kutztown State College in 1941, where she specialized in elementary education. She was employed by the Pottsville School District from 1941 until her retirement in 1984, she taught several generations of Pottsville students, working at Race Street, Yorkville, Centre Street, Garfield and Jackson Street Schools. She ended her career as a reading teacher at the D.H.H. Lengel Middle School. Mary was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ of Pottsville, and the Orwigsburg Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. After her retirement, she worked for several years as a volunteer at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Pottsville. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Lewis Honicker, who died in 1968 and whom she married on August 15, 1947. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family, having been preceded in death by three brothers, George, Charles and Daniel Ent, and by four sisters, infant Grace Ent, Bertha Gross, Anna Goss, and Jean S. Ent. She greatly missed her sister Jean, her constant companion, who died in October, 2001. Surviving are Mary's three daughters, Nancy Honicker, of Paris, France, Susan Hahner, married to Robert Hahner, of Pottsville, and Jane Honicker Graup, married to Lawrence Graup, of Auburn. Mary also had three grandchildren, Sarah Hahner, a junior at Messiah College, Louis Graup, a senior at Blue Mountain High School, and Leah Graup, a sophomore at Blue Mountain. Mary did her very best for her family and devoted her life to them. She also had several nieces and nephews and was particularly close to her niece Nancy Andrews. A memorial service will be held Monday at 3:00 P.M. from the Chapel of Resurrection at Charles Baber Cemetery, Pottsville with the Rev. Elaine Boyer officiating. Family and Friends may call from 1:00 P.M. until the time of services. Interment will be at the convenience of the family in Odd Fellows Cemetery, St. Clair. The family would prefer remembrances in form of contribution made to Pottsville Free Public Library, 217 W. Market St. Pottsville, PA 17901, or to Hospice of Central Pennsylvania 1320 Lingelstown Rd. Harrisburg, PA 17110-2822. James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville, is in charge of arrangements.