Dorothy L. Houchins

Dorothy L. Houchins, 88, reached the end of her life’s journey on Friday, March 18, 2016, at Orangeville Nursing and Rehab.

Born in Berwick on September 1, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Bryson and Edna (Sherman) Longenberger. She graduated from Berwick High School and began a banking career at Berwick National Bank. She then worked at Berwick Bank, which was later acquired by United Penn Bank. She became an officer and branch manager of the Poplar Street office, where she worked until her retirement.

Dottie most recently resided in Bloomsburg, where she was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church. She was a former member of Grace Lutheran Church, Berwick, where she was a member of the choir, a Sunday School teacher, and served as Treasurer. While living in Florida for 21 years, she was a member of Port Charlotte United Methodist Church, and was commissioned there as a Stephen Minister.

She was a member of BPW, serving as Treasurer, Vice President and President; a member of American Institute of Banking, holding offices of Vice President and President of the Hazleton Chapter; a member of the National Association of Bank Women, serving as Membership Chairman for the District, and Vice Chairman of the Anthracite Group.

She liked crafting and was an avid reader. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by a daughter, Virginia Bredbenner; grandchildren, Jesse Bredbenner and wife Christine, Yavonne Eckroth and husband Jason; great grandchildren, Baillie and Christopher Bredbenner, Robert, Colton and Mitchel Eckroth. She will also be missed by her brothers, Carl Hyde and wife Nan, Texas, Harvey Longenberger and companion Grace Rubery, Berwick; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell Houchins; step-mother, Elizabeth Longenberger; brothers, Curtis and Ray Longenberger and Alvin Hyde; sisters, Bernice Albertson, Twylah Finucan, Mary Moore, and Viola Newcomb.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at St. Luke Church, 9 St Luke Way, Bloomsburg, with Reverend Jeffery G. Bohan officiating. Interment will be at the convenience of the family in Rose Lawn Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the building fund at St. Luke Lutheran Church.

Online messages of comfort can be sent to condolences@hellerfuneral.com