Mary Elizabeth Hardy Lerch

Mary Elizabeth Hardy Lerch, 92, of Gum Tree, Highland Township, died at her home on Sunday October 12, 2014.  She was the widow of the late J. Kramer Lerch, Sr. who died in 2001. They shared 58 years of marriage.
Born in Coatesville, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Reba Marshall Hardy.

Mary was an area resident her entire life and a 1941 graduate of Coatesville High School. During WWII, she was employed at By-Products of Coatesville. Mary returned to work at age 46 at the Provident National Bank retiring at the age of 67.

She was a life long member of the Friendship United Methodist Church in Gum Tree where she started teaching Sunday School at the age of 15 and taught Sunday School and Bible School for over 40 years.  She held several leadership positions in The Women's Society until recently and she sang in the church choir all her adult life. Mary was also involved in Century Club of Coatesville, The Greystone Society, the Salvation Army and Operation Thanksgiving and Operation Christmas.  She and her husband also volunteered with Meals on Wheels and Mary helped bring Salvation Army bell ringing back to the streets of Coatesville.

She is survived by her four children, Rebecca L., wife of Richard Milley of Leola, Joseph K. Lerch, Jr., husband of Beth of Exton, David H. Lerch, husband of Nancy of Cochranville,  Deborah A., wife of Dennis Shank of Cochranville, nine grandchildren; Jennifer Milley of Florida, Elizabeth Milley Mackey of CT, Clayton Lerch of Exton, Sean Shank of Norfolk, VA, Lauren Shank Kibler of Maryland, Phillip Shank, Andrew Shank, Maura Shank and Dianna Lerch all of Cochranville and three great grandchildren; Brendan Mackie, Kayla Mackie and Isabel Kibler.  She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jenna Lerch.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 11am from the Friendship United Methodist Church, 123 E Friendship Church Rd, Coatesville, PA 19320 followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery. Family and friends are also invited to attend to viewing at the church on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8pm and also Thursday morning from 10 to 11am.
Mary loved flowers and if you wish, flowers may be sent or memorial donations may be made in Mary's memory to the Friendship UMC at the above address.