WANDA J. LACH

Wanda J. Lach, 86, Graystone Court Villa, Hollidaysburg, died Thursday morning at Altoona Regional Health System, Altoona Hospital Campus. She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late Russell and Elda J. (Alexander) Whippo. She married Joseph J. Lach on July 9, 1949, at SS. Peter and Paul, and he preceded her in death on March 20, 1979. Surviving are four children: Gary and wife, Karen, of The Woodlands, Texas, and their children, Bryant and Amy; Kathy Forr and husband, Tim, of Hollidaysburg and their son, Benjamin; Joseph and wife, Ruth, of Houston, Texas, and their children, Alexander, Sarah and Aidan; and Douglas of Casselberry, Fla., and his children, James, Amanda and Daniel. She was preceded in death by a brother, Richard. Wanda was a 1942 graduate of Altoona High School and a 1946 graduate of Shippensburg State Teachers College, where she received a B.S. degree in teaching. She retired as a case worker for the Pennsylvania Department of Public Assistance Office and prior to that was a teacher at Mount Union High School. She also substituted in the Altoona School District for many years. She was a very active member of the First Evangelical Independent Methodist Church of Altoona, where she taught Sunday school. Wanda was an active volunteer for Meals on Wheels, and she enjoyed gardening and watching sports, cheering on her Steelers and Penn State. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 2, 2011, at Stanley J. Krish Funeral Home Inc., 1204 17th St., Altoona. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 3, 2011, at the First Evangelical Independent Methodist Church, Oak Avenue and 29th Street, Altoona, Pastor Bradley E. Reider officiating. Private committal will be at SS. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Cemetery. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Meals on Wheels, c/o Blair Senior Services Inc., 1320 12th Ave., Altoona, PA 16601.