Emma Katherine Mahler ^{1311,1323,1332,1333}

  General Notes:

OBITUARY

Barta
On August 15, 2014, Heaven welcomed Emma Katherine (Mahler) Barta who passed from this life into the next peacefully, in her sleep, at home with family. Emma was born in Stonycreek Township, Somerset County March 13,1923, the oldest daughter of the late David Mahler and Elizabeth (Helbig) Wolf Mahler. Emma was the last living member of her family. Her family who pre-deceased her began with William D. Mahler's passing in 1955, and later brother John Karl Mahler and wife Freda, Walter R. Mahler and wife Marjorie, Jacob Wolf and wife Margaret, sisters June Selina Mahler in infancy, and Mary Anna Christina and husband Don DeArmitt.

Surviving are her loving husband of 71 years, Peter E. Barta, and her children Shelby Jean Barta (Goldsborough) Novak of Stoystown, Edward A. Barta married to Paula Weeks of Stoystown, Peter D. Barta married to Peggy Wilson of Hollsopple, Phillip A. Barta of Oregon City, Oregon. Also surviving are friends and the mothers of her grand and great grandchildren Marie Barta, Tammy Hicks, Sarah Moran, and Kerri Lafferty.

Also surviving are grandchildren Christopher (Meixuan) Novak, Amethyst Novak (Christopher) Joyner, Sean Novak, Andria Barta (Scott) Civils, Michael W. Barta, Heather Barta (Jeff) Howell; Quade, Avery, Kaevin and Irelin Barta, Luke Barta and Benjamin (Jenn) Barta; Step-Grandchildren Dan and Penny Szymczak, and Jackie Wilson Johnson; Great Grandchildren Dylan, Gavin, and Payton Novak; Jasmine, Cameron, and Zoe Joyner; Logan, Hayden and Maddison Howell; Elyza Barta; Twin girls Hailey and Bailey Barta; Lumen Civils; Step great-grandchildren Grace and Spencer Johnson.
Emma graduated from Shade Township High School 1942 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1979 with an emphasis in the social sciences.

Emma served the Shade-Central City School District for forty-four years, beginning as the office secretary for the Shade Township School District in 1942 and then taking on duties of Board Secretary and Business Manager when the district became the Shade-Central City School District in 1952. For one term she served as a Shade Township Auditor. A very active member of Grace Lutheran Church, Emma served in various positions throughout the years including Sunday School Teacher, WELCA President, Secretary and Treasurer, Altar Guild and Sunday School Superintendent more recently.

Emma liked to travel and visited Europe with her mother Elizabeth Mahler and husband Peter to visit and become acquainted with many relatives in Eastern and Western Germany in the early 1950's and later made more trips with sister Mary and her family, and brother Walter. She and husband Pete went to Argentina at the invitation of cousin Klaus and his wife Gabriele who lived and worked there at the time for a large shipping firm in 1988 and made an encore visit again later with sister Mary DeArmitt, expanding their travels to include Bolivia and Peru.

Emma immensely enjoyed gardening and did a lot of canning and freezing with the produce. However most notable was her expertise in pomology and her passion for the antique apple and fruit orchard, which she and Pete established and nurtured throughout the years.

Family will receive friends on Sunday, August 17, 2014 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Deaner Funeral Home, 133 E. Main Street, Stoystown, PA 15563, Telephone (814) 893-5706. In lieu of flowers, a donation to your favorite charity in her memory is appreciated as Emma had so many near to her heart. Viewing before the service will be on Monday, August 18, 2014 from 10-11 a.m. at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 201 East Main Street, Stoystown, PA 15563 followed by a celebration of life service and committal at Lambertsville Cemetery. Luncheon for friends and family attending Monday's service will follow at Grace Lutheran Church.

Source: http://www.deanerfuneralhome.com/notices/Emma-Barta

  Christening Notes:

Baptized at home.

Emma married Peter Edward "Pete" Barta on 6 Jun 1943 in Stoystown, Somerset, Pennsylvania, USA.⁸⁶⁰ (Peter Edward "Pete" Barta was born on 22 Sep 1921 in Berryburg, Barbour, West Virginia, USA,¹³³² died on 5 Mar 2015 in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, USA and was buried in Lambertsville Cemetery (Stoystown, Somerset, Pennsylvania, USA).)

  Marriage Notes:

Grace Lutheran Church ⁸⁶⁰