Obituary of Joan Zeiders

Joan Marie Zeiders, 71, of Stewartstown and recently of State College died Friday, May 23, 2014 at her residence. Born February 5, 1943 in Harrisburg to the late Joseph M. and Elizabeth Keefer. Following her mother's death when Joan was seven she was lovingly raised and nurtured by her stepmother, Maude Mae Zell Keefer. On June 16, 1962 in Harrisburg, she married G. Edwin Zeiders who survives in Stewartstown. She is also survived by two daughters Jody M. Cain and her husband Scott of Concord, N.C. and Chris L. Miller and her husband Andy of Stewartstown and a son Glenn Edwin "Eddie" Zeiders of Stewartstown. Joan is also survived by 3 grandchildren Michael and Matthew Miller and Stephanie Cain. Joan was a graduate of John Harris High School in 1961 where she was the head cheerleader, and where she met her future husband, who was the student director of the marching band. She was a member of St Paul's United Methodist Church in State College, the United Methodist Women, the Chancel Choir, and her Bible Study group. Joan was a dedicated disciple of Jesus and devoted to the Gospel. She worked tirelessly as an advocate for children, was a trained Christian Educator, and was devoted to worship, music, mission and outreach. She provided leadership for the Harrisburg Neighborhood Center, United Methodist Women, and directed Children's Choirs. While in Ohio, Joan served alongside her husband as "First Lady" of United Theological Seminary while Ed was President for eight years. She supported the seminary's international students, established the Cokesbury Bookstore alongside others, was Director of Volunteer services, and participated in and wrote contracts with vendors who supplied the school. Joan was a devoted and faithful wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved unselfishly, lived graciously, and gave generously. In recent years, she was rewarded for her prize winning counted cross stitch and raised thousands of dollars for Habitat for Humanity through a second hand clothing store she created in Mansfield, PA. She loved to travel and felt quite at home in Great Britain and Switzerland. Stateside Joan, Ed and family celebrated their many visits to Colonial Williamsburg, Va. Friends will be received at the Koch Funeral Home 2401 South Atherton Street, State College, PA 16801 on Tuesday, May 27 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at St Paul United Methodist Church, 250 East College Avenue, State College 16801 with Bishop Jeremiah Park and Reverend Eric Shafer officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Harrisburg, PA Memorial contributions may be made to: 1. St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Children's Ministries Account, 250 East College Avenue, State College, PA, 16801 2. The Love a Child Fund, The Stewardship Foundation, 303 Mulberry Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050 3. The G. Edwin and Joan M. Zeiders Connectional Ministries Fund, The Stewardship Foundation 4. The Rev. Dr. G. Edwin and Joan M. Zeiders Scholarship Fund, United Theological Seminary, 4501 Denlinger Road, Dayton, Ohio, 45426 5. Additional gifts may be given to the Neighborhood Center, 1801 N 3rd St, Harrisburg, PA 17102 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