Obituary of Mary Charlton

Mary Lou Charlton, 83, of State College, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 14, 2014, at her home, after a brave, five year battle with the consequences of a severe stroke. The daughter of the late Thomas and Mary (Wenzel) Heslep, she was born on November 8, 1931 in Donora, PA. Mary Lou graduated from Donora High School in 1949, and earned a B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1952, and a Master of Library Science degree from Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1953. On March 24, 1956 she married her loving husband, Robert Edward Charlton. They were married for 50 years until his death in 2006. Mary Lou was a librarian at Mt. Lebanon High School and at the Health and Welfare Planning Association of United Way in the Pittsburgh area. She was a member of First Bethel United Methodist Church in Bethel Park for many years and later a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in State College. Mary Lou was a leader with the Bethel Women's Club and with her Donora High School class. She was a perfect mother for her one daughter, Jane Camilla Charlton of Boalsburg, who is a Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Penn State. She is also survived by one granddaughter, Thomasin Ariana Charlton Schinder, (13) whom she treasured above all else. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a dear older brother, Thomas Heslep. A public visitation will be held Sunday, November 16, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College, PA. The funeral service will immediately follow visitation at 3:30 p.m., at the funeral home, with Reverend Neal Lassinger officiating. Interment will be in Monongahela Cemetery, Pittsburgh. 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.