Bertha Marie Hironimus

Bertha took her last breath with her eyes looking upward and a peaceful smile on her lips. Those who knew her know that she was looking toward the face of her Heavenly Father who most assuredly spoke these words, ‘Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master’s happiness!’ (Matthew 25:23) What a glorious day that was for her! As we here on earth grieve her loss, we reflect on words she wrote in her Bible…”our loss is heaven’s gain”.

Bertha had a rich and fulfilling life in her service to God and his children, starting with her own family as a wife and mother to her 4 children: Jeffrey, Beth, Patricia, and Andrea. She touched many lives throughout her life with her sense of humor, tenderness, and love. As an adult she went back to school to achieve her GED to then attend college and receive her B.S. in Sociology. After the passing of her beloved husband of 31 years, Rev. Leon Francis Hironimus, she completed a Clinical Pastoral Education program at Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, PA. She then bravely moved out of state, after never living on her own, and attended Eastern Mennonite Seminary with an internship at Lehigh Valley Trauma Center in Allentown, PA. to achieve a Master of Divinity. Upon her graduation, she started a chaplaincy program at Palmerton Hospital and worked there until her retirement. While there, she made many friends and touched many lives, as she did wherever God placed her. Upon “retiring”, she moved back to Ligonier where she continued her ministry within the community in various positions, most notably, becoming an interim pastor for the Ligonier First Church of the Brethren. Her ministry was not always in an official manor, as anyone who knew her would attest. Her ministry was with her words and actions making sure that whoever she came in contact with would understand God’s love. 

In addition to her ministerial calling, Bertha’s hobbies included horseback riding, country line dancing, making greeting cards, watching and photographing sunsets!

Those who were in her presence during her stay and ultimately her final days at the Bethlen Home in Ligonier saw that her ministry was not finished until her final breath. The peace that passes all understanding was present and palpable to any who entered her room. A special thank you to the staff at Bethlen Home and Hospice for the love and care of not only our mother but to the entire family during our continued stay in those last few weeks. No need was unmet and that is a testament to their love for her. 

Bertha is survived by “a bunch of houligans”, her 4 children:  Jeffrey (Judy) and their children Michael (April) Saville, Chrissy Feeney, and Nora; Beth and her children Jessica (Jake) Wachter and Dannielle (Nick) Wells; Patricia (Daniel) Depcrymski and their children Nicholas (Jennifer) and Jacob (Jennifer); and Andrea (David) McLeary and their children Noel (Glenn) Campagna and Devin. Bertha had an abundant blessing of great grandchildren. She is survived by her sister Roxanna Henderson of Maryland and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved, so very dearly. Bertha eagerly joined the ranks in glory alongside her husband, Leon Hironimus, parents Herman and Alta (Williams) Horton, infant brother Herman Jr., brother Charles, and her step-mother Rebecca (Blough) Horton, who lovingly referred to her as daughter.

Bertha would tell you, “Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not here, I did not die.” Her family is rejoicing in her homecoming as she receives her richly deserved reward!

Join us as we honor Bertha’s life on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 1 pm at the Ligonier First Church of the Brethren. The Rev. J. Paul McCracken will be officiating the service which Bertha created as a gift and treasure celebrating and worshipping the One who gave her life.