Kathryn (Spitler) Burianic

Kathryn Spitler Burianic, 94, of Palmyra, beloved wife of the late George D. Burianic, died Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at the Lebanon Valley Brethren Home. She was born January 29, 1921 in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, to D. Leroy Spitler (1941) and Elva Bowman Spitler (1921).

A graduate of Palmyra High School Class of 1938, she began her employment at the J.B. Lee 5 & 10 store in Palmyra, leaving in 1939 to work for the Hershey Chocolate Corp. until 1941, when she became a clerk typist for the Federal Government at the Middletown Air Material Command. In 1946 Kathryn opened as an owner the Terre-Le Shoppe, a women’s apparel store. In 1948, after graduating from Thompson Business School, she became a secretary at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission until 1957, when she assumed a position as a Specification Writer for Lawrie and Green Architects. Kathryn retired in 1980. During her retirement she was very active in planning activities and reunions for VMF 121, a U.S. Marine Corp group in which her late husband George was an active member.

 Kathryn was very active in many community and religious organizations. She was President of Palmyra Area Schools PTA and a Life Member of the Order of Eastern Star. Her strong religious convictions lead to her becoming in 1989 a Lay Leader in the 1st United Methodist Church.  She had a love of working with young children as she devoted 55 years (1934-1989) as a teacher and administrator in the children’s division.  In 1990 Kathryn initiated a church information center that served the activity needs of the church’s adult membership.

She is survived by her son Terrance R. Herr and 3 grandchildren, Jeffrey L. Herr, Gerald N. Herr and Dr. Nicole L. Loyd.  She also leaves 2 great grandchildren, Amber Rose Herr and Tyler Justice Herr.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 AM Tuesday, May 26, in the DiMatteo Worship Center of the Lebanon Valley Brethren Home, 1200 Grubb Road, Palmyra, PA 17078 with Rev. Samuel Fry officiating.  Burial will follow in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.  Family and friends are invited for viewing from 9 AM until time of the service.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 25 W. Pine St., Palmyra 17078.

 In lieu of flowers those who wish may send contributions to Wounded Warrior Project, 1120 G Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.uso.org.  

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