Obituary of Rebecca (Becky) Oelbermann

M. Rebecca Oelbermann (Becky), a long-time resident of State College, PA, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2022 in Venice FL, where she had lived for the past 14 years.

Born in Germantown, Maryland on August 28, 1926, she was the daughter of Edward Harrison Wallach and Beulah Jordan Wallach.

On September 17, 1949, Becky married Ernest J Oelbermann (Ernie) in Washington DC.

Becky graduated from Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland in 1944 and from the Temple Secretarial School in Washington DC in 1945. She worked as a legal secretary for the American Association for the Advancement of Science for three years and for the CIA for a year. She and Ernie moved to State College in 1951.They were proud and devoted parents of six children: Carol Wood (Doug), Peggy Hayden Laffan (Bob), Robert Oelbermann, Susan Rice (Mark), Kathy DiMuccio (Fred), Mark Oelbermann, and eight grandchildren: Carly Hayden Barnes (Dre’), Bobby Hayden (Jenny), Brian Oelbermann, Katie Wood Bowman (Steven), Kaitlin Rice Wanberg (John), Megan Rice, Maria DiMuccio, and Kelly DiMuccio, and one great grandson: Jory Siler Hayden. Becky was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ernie, in 2015, and their 10-year-old son, Mark, in 1971.

Becky and Ernie lived in State College for over 57 years. They were proprietors of the Phyrst Inc. for over 30 years, where Ernie was the leader of the Phyrst Phamily sing along band. Becky played an integral part in the lives of so many Penn State students who frequented the Phyrst for years. She joined her husband in establishing hundreds of friendships with Penn State students, international students, veterans and local residents of State College. Many of these friendships have lasted to this day.

Becky was employed as a legal secretary in the State College area and also worked at Penn State for several years in the late 60’s. She loved to sing, read, knit, do hand embroidery, and keep in touch with her friends by writing letters and emails. Her children found it remarkable that Becky could manage technical tasks such as email and family zoom calls at age 95. She kept up to date with the news and current events and could handle lengthy conversations with her children without any struggle. Her memory was impeccable all the way to the end of her life. Becky raised her children to be loving, respectful, and kind. She gave them the freedom to explore life, make their own choices, and she respected and encouraged their individuality. Becky and Ernie were so proud of their family and they were honored to have all 5 of their children graduate from Penn State. They were true blue Penn State fans since 1951.

Becky was born and raised as a Methodist, but she converted to Catholicism and she and Ernie were members of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church for over 57 years.

Services will be held at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St, State College PA on Saturday, August 13, 2022 with Rev. Greg Milinovich, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, officiating. Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.  Friends will be received starting at 11 a.m. followed by services at Koch, beginning at 12:15 p.m. Burial will follow at Centre County Memorial Park and all are welcome to come to the graveside service. A reception for family and friends will be held afterwards at the Ramada, 1450 S. Atherton St., State College PA.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Emily Whitehead Foundation that supports childhood cancer research.  https://emilywhiteheadfoundation.org/donate/