Isabelle M. Hallock

Isabelle M. Hallock, 101, formerly of Pottsville, died Tuesday at Wyncote Church Nursing Home, Wyncote. She was dearly loved by her family and friends. She, until suffering her first stroke at the age of 88, spent a lifetime sharing with all of those she has helped and served along with the many people who helped her do so. She was born and raised on a farm in Maryland along with her sister Ruth and brothers Carl and Richard. Her parents were Gus and Edna Matthews Whitcraft. As a school girl she rode her horse to school followed by her dog Duke. As a young woman she attended Millersville State Teachers College after which she became a teacher in a one room school house where she taught boys and girls of all grade levels. She met her husband to be, who became Rev. Maynard C. Hallock, on a blind date while he was attending Gettysburg College, and after some time they eloped and were married. They then spent time in Philadelphia where her husband attended the Mount Airy Lutheran Seminary and where Isabelle wheeled their first son Lewis up and down Germantown Avenue. Upon completion of the course work at the seminary Maynard became an ordained Lutheran pastor. Together they went from the pastor's first calling at Audenreid and Beaver Meadows, to Tamaqua, Reading, and finally Pottsville. Mrs. Hallock served in various positions of service in the church and community until she was 88. She organized blood drives for the American Red Cross and knitted hats for the new born babies in local hospitals. She never seemed to feel her age. After she was 75 she took a position with the Lutheran Inner Mission Society visiting in the former Pottsville Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital as the Pastors' liaison. She held this position until she was 88 and was recognized for her service. In addition, she would take the "older folks" that needed a ride to and from the doctors and hospitals. She was president of Circle One at Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, did soup sales as fundraisers, made several trips taking groups of Trinity Lutheran young people to Wilkes-Barre for the post Hurricane Agnes cleanup in 1972, and was involved with Pastor Hallock and Bob Bader in writing the Lutheran religious award "Visa, Veritas, Vita." Mrs. Hallock started Girl Scout Sunday at Trinity Lutheran Church, volunteered at the former Pottsville Hospital, served on the Board of Directors at the Pottsville YWCA, she started the coke and hot dog wagon stand at the May Fair, a fundraiser for the neighborhood, and those involved with this continued their work with this project when she retired. Mrs. Hallock is preceded in death by her husband Rev. Maynard C. Hallock, June 19, 1975: a son Lewis: 2 brother Carl and Richard: a sister, Ruth. Mrs. Hallock was devoted for her friends, and community service. She is survived by her son Myron and his wife Jane: 4 grandchildren, Melinda Hallock, Bonnie Ivaniski, Barbara Helmich, Merri Hallock: 3 step grandchildren, Peter Agostinelli, Mark Agostinelli, Matthew Agostinelli: 4 great-grandchildren, Alyse Ivaniski, Johnathon Helmich, Jamie Helmich, and Isabelle Helmich: 5 step great-grandchildren, Christopher Agostinelli, Alex Agostinelli, Mateo Agostinelli, Malia Agostinelli, and Misha Agostinelli. Services will be held Monday at 11:00 A.M. from Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, with the Rev. Harold L. Hand Jr. officiating. Family and friends are invited to call from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services Monday at the church. The family would prefer remembrances in form of contributions be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 W. Arch St. Pottsville PA, 17901. Interment will be at Sunnyside Cemetery, Tunkhannock. James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville is in charge of arrangements.