Obituary of Barbara H. Maelhorn

Barbara "Bobby" H. Maelhorn, 94, of Bellefonte, passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at home.

Born August 24, 1929, in Tuscarawas, Ohio she was the daughter of the late Ralph Peter Sr. and Edna LaRue (Pogue) Hoover. On October 30, 1948 she married Luther E. Maelhorn, who preceded her in death.

She is survived by her two children, Suzanne "Sana" M. McGhee, Bellefonte and Richard "Rich" Maelhorn and his partner, Toni, Nashville, TN; grandchildren, Shilo Rae and Ryan Robert Maelhorn; and a sister, Mary Lou Weaver and her husband, D. Dean, Bellefonte.

Bobby was a 1947 graduate of State College Areah High School. Following graduation, she began working at the Penn State Diner followed by Cold, Inc and in the family plumbing and heating business all while raising their children. She and her husband were co-owners of Maelhorn Plumbing and Heating for over 40 years continuing the legacy of 4 generations of operating the family business. She was the bookkeeper for the business handwriting all of their records and invoices.

She was a founding member of Centre County Embroidery Guild which began as a group of women gathering at each other's homes, sharing their embroidery and cross stitch talents and teaching classes for those wanting to learn embroidery. Barbara enjoyed playing bridge and honed her skills playing in several bridge clubs. Never one to be idle, she was active in the community spending countless hours visiting various community members to listen and record their unique life history and talents. These talents could be shared with others thus leading to the start of the Community Academy for Lifelong Learning (CALL) which is now known as Osher Lifelong Learning (OLLI).

When Luther and Barbara retired, they enjoyed their time as "snowbirds" in Summerland Key, FL. Luther suffered a massive stroke early in his retirement years, but was fortunate to have Barbara by his side as his caregiver.

Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.