Obituary of Linda Hamer Merchant

Linda Hamer Merchant, 80, of State College, died on Thursday, July 6, 2017, at Mount Nittany Medical Center. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Clifton C. Merchant, of State College. She is also survived by her daughter Julie M. Duke of Bethel Park and son Robert C. Merchant of Washington, DC, granddaughters Michelle and Laura Duke, and sons-in-law Gerard Duke and Richard Houghton. Linda was born on May 15, 1937 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, the daughter of G. Edward and Virginia Livingstone Hamer. Linda grew up in Pittsburgh, and graduated from Penn Hills High School in 1955. Throughout high school she was active in Pittsburgh's radio and theater community. She attended Penn State University, and graduated in 1959 with a degree in Speech Communications; she was proud member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority. While a Penn State freshman, she met Clifton, the enduring love of her life. Linda always joked that while in college, she and Clifton majored in each other. They were married in Connellsville, Pennsylvania on December 27, 1958. Linda began her career as an educator at the St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1959, where she taught fifth grade, and first felt her passion for teaching and enriching the lives of children. Seeking to broaden her academic background, Linda earned a Master's in Education from The Johns Hopkins University in 1973 while teaching in Severna Park, Maryland and Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. After returning to State College, Linda undertook her doctoral studies in Language and Literacy at Penn State's College of Education. She earned a Doctor of Education degree in 1986. After completing her doctorate, Linda began teaching at The Greer School in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, where she developed the school's first comprehensive curriculum for students with language and learning disabilities. Linda later joined the Penn State College of Education faculty, specializing in language and literacy while supervising the work of student teachers. Her passion was ensuring that her students were equipped for the enormous responsibilities they were about to undertake as educators. Throughout her life, Linda was a learner and always taught others to be learners. In retirement, she was a founding member of the Community Academy for Lifelong Learning, now OLLI. Linda's two granddaughters brought great joy to her life, as she watched both of them grow into successful, confident young women. For more than ten years, she and Clifton enjoyed their winter home in Green Valley, Arizona, and the vast opportunities for learning and growth that they embraced during those years in the desert southwest. Throughout her career, she was a member of the International and Keystone State Reading Associations, and remained active in the Alpha Xi Delta alumnae and Penn State Alumni Associations. Linda was a member of Faith United Church of Christ, State College. Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 9, 2017, from 3:00 to 5:00pm at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College. A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 10, 2017 at 1:00pm at Faith United Church of Christ, 300 East College Avenue, State College, with the Reverend Bret Myers officiating. Interment will follow immediately after the service at Graysville Cemetery, Spruce Creek, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Linda Hamer Merchant to Faith United Church of Christ, 300 East College Avenue, State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.