R. Jane (Zook) Gearhart

R. Jane Gearhart, a resident of Hopewell Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania died at home on January 10, 2019, after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Jane was born in Akron, Ohio, on January 2, 1930, to the late Gladys L. (Steele) Zook Gochnour and John F. Zook. Her parents moved back to Bedford County shortly after her birth. Before she turned four years old, her father was killed in a truck accident, and her mother married Chester A. Gochnour. Jane was blessed to be raised by both her mother and a kind step-father.

Jane is survived by her daughter, Charlotte Gearhart Wallace, married to David Wallace, of Everett, Pennsylvania; her brother, John (Bill) Zook and wife, Pat, of Hopewell, Pennsylvania; her sister, Janet (Gochnour) Hoover and husband, John, of Glenside, Pennsylvania; her brother, Paul Gochnour and wife, Marilyn, of Martinsburg, Pennsylvania; brother, James Gochnour and wife, Dee, of Fishertown, Pennsylvania; sister-in-law, Dorothy Gochnour, of Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Harry L. Gearhart in September of 2017 and most recently by her brother, Fay Gochnour in May of 2018.

After graduating from Replogle High School, Jane attended Windber School of Nursing, where she received her degree in Nursing. Jane then moved to Stillwater Oklahoma and while working there as a nurse, she met Harry L. Gearhart, and they married on April 5, 1953 in New Enterprise, Pennsylvania.

After living in Texas for more than 30 years, Harry and Jane retired to Bedford County, Pennsylvania in 1990, where they became active members of Community Grace Brethren Church.

Jane will be remembered for her faith in God, her love of her family, as well as her willingness to help those in need. Jane enjoyed gardening and quilting.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Jane’s name to two of her favorite charities: Urban Hope, 210 E. Tioga Street, Philadelphia, PA 19134; or, Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 18, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. at Community Grace Brethren Church, 1216 Raystown Road, Everett, PA 15537, with Pastor Jeff Peeler and Pastor Lee Seese officiating. Burial will be private.

Arrangements made through Akers Funeral Home, Inc., 299 Raystown Road, Everett, PA 15537.

On-line condolences may be expressed at www.akersfuneralhome.com.

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