Obituary of Marlene Hershman

Marlene Virginia Johnson Hershman, of Morgantown, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009 at her residence.She was born August 22, 1936, in Morgantown, daughter of the late Joseph Jacob and Virginia Smith Johnson. She was a member of Suncrest United Methodist Church (Drummond Chapel) for over fifty years. She received Christian Baptism April 7, 1944, and was received into full Membership in Drummond Chapel, November 25, 1951.She was a graduate of Morgantown High School. She was a member of Pi Rho Zeta International Commerce Fraternity (Business Honorary), Alpha Iota Chapter, while attending Morgantown Business College. She received her WV Real Estate License in 1981 and worked for a local realtor. She studied piano, accounting and business administration while attending West Virginia University. Marlene was a member of Elizabeth Chapter #37 Order of the Eastern Star for 50 years, Harmony Rebekah Lodge No. 51, IOOF Life Member of Monongalia General Hospital Auxiliary and an active volunteer Association of Managers of Gynecology and Obstetrics WV Association for Women in Higher Education (Morgantown Chapter) WV Coalition on Small Business the International Association of Administrative Professionals where she served two years as president and two years as treasurer of the Morgantown Chapter, and served as treasurer of the WV Division for two years. She was named the Morgantown Chapterâs Administrative Professional Member of the Year for 1970. She retired in 1996 after working thirty-five years for the State of West Virginia. She held several administrative positions at West Virginia University in the departments of Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy and Genetics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and assistant to the University Editor. She served as grants manager for the Historic Preservation Program in the WV Division of Cultural and History. She served as grants manager for the preservation program for eight years. Some of the accomplishments achieved were restoration/and or listing on the National Register of Historic Places for sites such as Independence Hall in Wheeling, Blennerhasset Island near Parkersburg, Pearl S. Buck Hone in Hillsboro, Old Stone House in Morgantown and several projects in the Eastern Panhandle and throughout the State. She also assisted her husband, Harley, in co-managing their successful painting contracting business. When not working she enjoyed collecting Swarovski Crystal and was a member of the Swarovski Crystal Society. She enjoyed collecting snowmen figurines, depression glassware, playing the piano, cake decorating, flower arranging, and spending time with family and friends, especially her grandsons, Garrett and Cohen. She is survived by her husband, Harley whom she married November 21, 1959 a son and spouse Gary Matthew and Kristie Teets Hershman, two grandsons, Garrett Matthew and Cohen Joseph Hershman of Falling Waters, WV, a brother and spouse Joseph A. and Shirley D. Johnson a sister and spouse Donna L. and John J. Biess, sister-in-law and spouse Carol Jean and Ronald Peterson, sisters-in-law Valerie White and Michelle Hershman as well as several aunts, uncles nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her mother-in-law Thelma Hershman, her father-in-law Orval R. Hershman and brother-in-law O. Richard Hershman.Friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, from 2-5pm on Sunday, June 28. Visitation will continue at Suncrest United Methodist Church, from 10am until the time of the funeral service at 11am on Monday, June 29, with Rev. Tim W. Halloran officiating. Burial will be held at Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens at 1pm. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com