Obituary of Rosanne Kohlhepp

Known to everyone as Jackie, Rosanne Jacquelyn Kohlhepp, 88, formerly of DuBois, Pennsylvania, passed away on February 21, 1014 in State College, Pennsylvania where she was a resident of The Village at Penn State. Jackie Callahan was born on December 29, 1925 in Daytona Beach, Florida to Hugh Paul and Jean Marie (Hayes) Callahan. Raised in DuBois, Pennsylvania, she graduated from the DuBois High School in 1943. She then attended Penn State DuBois Undergraduate Center (DUC) until it was closed in 1944 when she transferred to Marjorie Webster Junior College in Washington, DC. and graduated in 1945. On February 9, 1946, Jackie married Douglas B. Kohlhepp, who preceded her in death in 1999. . She was active in the community as a Den Mother in Cub Scouts, an officer in the Parent-Teacher Association, and an annual volunteer in the DuBois United Way campaigns. As the mother of three sons, she attended hundreds of sporting events, never missing a game, meet, match, or tournament. She was a long-time member of the DuBois Country Club and the St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church. While living in State College, she attended Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Jackie lived life with enthusiasm and intensity as golfer, skier, bridge player and world traveler. Also living in Johnstown, New Castle, and Brookville, Pennsylvania, she had a wide circle of friends. An accomplished cook, she enjoyed organizing family gatherings, entertaining, and hosting dinner parties wherever she lived. For 30 years, Jackie worked in the family business in DuBois, JA Kohlhepp Sons Inc. with her husband and sons Ben and Andy. She was part of the third, fourth and now fifth generation of the family business. Their business activities included the Lumberteria, ready-mixed concrete, Overhead Doors, home building and remodeling, and concrete block manufacturing. Over the years, she actively counseled her sons as they expanded their True Value Hardware Store, adding Just Ask Rental and Kohlhepp Custom Counter Tops, as well as the opening of a location in State College. At the age of 62, Jackie and Doug retired and continued their life-long commitment to service to others by joining the Peace Corps in 1987. They spent two and a half years teaching at the Malawi Entrepreneurial Development Institute in Mponela, Malawi. Returning from Africa, Jackie and Doug relocated in St. Petersburg, Florida. After Doug's death in 1999, Jackie moved to State College where she was one of the first residents of The Village at Penn State. She enjoyed living at The Village and participated in exercise classes, lectures, bridge clubs, and happy hours. She was the memory-keeper of family stories, events, and relationships. She will be missed and held in our hearts with many fond memories. Jackie was preceded in death by her sister, Cecilia "Cela" Callahan, and three brothers, Hugh Paul "Kip" Callahan Jr., Senes Michael "Mike" Callahan, and Robert Benjamin "Ben" Callahan. She is survived by three sons and daughters-in law: Daniel B. and Donna Sell Kohlhepp (Arlington, VA and DuBois, PA), Benjamin R. and Debra Springborn Kohlhepp (DuBois, PA), and Andrew J. and Christine Meyer Kohlhepp (Hilton Head, SC). She is survived by eight grandchildren: Kelly C. Park (West Java, Indonesia), Daniel D. Kohlhepp (DuBois, PA), Lisa R. Kohlhepp (Hilton Head, SC), Katherine "Kaydee" Kohlhepp (Seattle, WA), Julia A. Gallegos (DuBois, PA), Joanne E. Kohlhepp (New York, NY), John A. Kohlhepp (DuBois, PA) and Kimberly J. Kohlhepp (Arlington, VA). She is survived by seven great-grandchildren: Caleb, Naomi, Joy and Josiah Park (West Java, Indonesia), Kai Kohlhepp (Hilton Head, SC), and Mateo and Chavez Gallegos (DuBois, PA). A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am, February 24th at the St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, 116 South State Street in DuBois, PA. with the Mosgr. Richard Seifer as celebrant. Memorial donations may be made to the Penn State Doug and Jackie Kohlhepp Endowed Scholarship in care of Jean Wolf at Penn State DuBois, One College Place, DuBois, PA 15801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.