Farm Wife Loved Phillies, Eagles, and Penn State.
Jane E. (Bahrt) Karchner passed away on May 14, 2026 at the Celebration Villa in Berwick after living a full life at her farmhouse in Mifflin Township.
Born in Hazelton, December 19, 1935, the daughter of the late Lester and Thelma (Krapp) Bahrt. She was preceded in death by husband of 62 years, Derwood Karchner, on September 6, 2018.
Mrs. Karchner was a 1953 graduate of West Hazelton High School. She assisted her husband with the operation of her family dairy farm and was employed by Food Bag of Berwick.
She was a member of the St. James Lutheran Church in Zenith where she was a past member of the choir, Sunday School teacher for 50 years, and member of the LCW. She loved the coordination involved with church suppers and hosting the barbershoppers.
Jane enjoyed watching all Philadelphia sports teams, especially her beloved Phillies. Her favorite players were Mike Schmidt and Alec Bohm. She also enjoyed watching Penn State football. Jane was gifted artistically, she made banners for the church and ceramics for family members and friends (including ceramic Easter eggs for Sunday School kids.) She was a frequent winner at the Bloomsburg Fair with her various pies and scarecrow displays. She enjoyed playing cards with family members. Jane also made quilts and shared them with family and parents of newborn babies. Her favorite TV shows include old westerns, Hallmark Christmas movies, and various gameshows.
Surviving are her four children: Debbie Smith and close friend Mari Vacarro from Orrstown, Duane Karchner and his wife Jill (Travelpiece) from Nescopeck, Don Karchner and his wife Linda (Yeager) from Nescopeck, and David Karchner and wife Maureen (McGee) from Lansdale. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Shane Smith, Jeremy Smith, Cody Smith, Ashley Karchner, Allison Karchner, Logan Karchner, Levi Karchner, Laura Karchner, Brooke Karchner, David Karchner Jr., Dana Karchner, and Brian Karchner; in addition to 12 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her dog “Sandy” who befriended her and was a loyal companion.
The family is immensely grateful for all care, love, and support of the amazing staff at Celebration Villa in Berwick over the past 6 months and Compassus Hospice for their great care and kindness.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, May 18th, 2026 at St James Lutheran Church, 1488 Zenith Rd, Nescopeck. Family and friends will be received at church from 10:00 AM until time of service. Interment will follow in St James Cemetery, Zenith. Viewing for family and friends will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Sunday, May 17th, at Heller Funeral Home, LLC, 633 E Third St, Nescopeck.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory to the charity of your choice.
Heller Funeral Home LLC, Nescopeck is assisting her family. Online messages of comfort for his family may be sent to condolences@HellerFuneralHomeLLC.com