Obituary of Natalie Gedon

Natalie Ellen Gedon, 74, of State College, died on February 7, 2012 at Mount Nittany Medical Center. Born on August 25, 1937 in Bellefonte, she was the daughter of the late Guy W. and Mildred K. Boone Carner. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Charles, and her sister, Marjorie Kaye Greninger. On June 13, 1957, she married Richard A. Gedon, who after forty-eight years of marriage, passed away on August 19, 2005. Natalie is survived by her four children who were God's blessings to her, and for which she thanked God each day for their presence in her life, Catherine (Kate) Reiter and her husband, Dennis, of Bellefonte, Karen Yost and her husband, Dale, of Delaware, Richard Gedon and his wife, Julie, of Pleasant Gap, and Linda Richter-Scillia and her husband, Anthony, of Dingman's Ferry. Her children were such an important part of her life and the pride and joy she left for each was immeasurable. She also is survived by seven grandchildren, Jessica Crowly and her husband, Marcus, Crystal Marnati, RJ Gedon, Dayna Richter, Alex Richter, Anthony, Jr. Scillia and Zachary Scillia and three great grandchildren, Skylar Crowley, Joshua Gedon and Kaylee Gedon, all of whom were "stars" in her eyes. Each one filled her heart and life with such a love and she was so proud of each one. Natalie loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was inspirational in their loving the arts, education, helping others, and most of all their faith in God. She treasured every moment with them. Also, those who were an important part of her immediate family were the Michael Reiter Family, Joe Reiter Family, Shane Yost, Brooke Sebolt and Alexandria Crowley. Natalie was a graduate of Walker Township High School, class of 1955, She participated in several professional development classes at Penn State, and one Intercultural Community-Building class which brought several students from Thailand unto her family's life, two of which were very special to them (Thitinun and Wallop). She worked in the Undergraduate Admissions Office at Penn State from 1981 until her retirement in April of 2002. At that time, God had retirement plans for her when as a result of an automobile accident in March 2002; her husband was paralyzed from the neck down with a spinal cord injury. Natalie then became his full-time caregiver for three and a half years until his death. This time was filled with unconditional love from every member of their family and their lives were truly blessed with all the special moments spent together. She was also a full-time caregiver for mother. Natalie was a member of the Centre Cedarettes, Centre Forest No. 129 and helped raise funds for children with Muscular Dystrophy. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 88, State College. She served on the Commission for Women at Penn State from 1986-1989, she was also a charter member of the Happy Valley Toastmasters Club #8934. She was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in State College and a member of Ruth Circle. She also was a member of the RSVP Volunteer Program as a Pen Pal with students from the Port Matilda Elementary School, receiving her five year pen in 2011. Natalie loved people and treasured every friend she had. Natalie's and Dick's song together was "Side by Side" and that is where they are now—side by side. The song they shared with their grandchildren was "I Love You A Bushel and a Peck." Natalie's closing to her children was "I love you to the moon, stars and beyond and back again, until Heaven, then forever." Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Friday, February 10, 2012 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College, PA. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the funeral home with the Rev, Eric J. Shafer officiating. Burial will be in Zion Cemetery, Zion, PA immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Centre Volunteers in Medicine, State College, PA 16801, Centre Forest No. 129 (Muscular Dystrophy), c/o. Centre Cedarettes, 239 E. College Avenue, Pleasant Gap or to St Paul's United Methodist Church, 109 McAllister Street, State College, PA 16801.