Gertrude Kirkhoff Rebert, 93, passed away Saturday, December 1, 2007, while under the loving care of Sylvia Yingling.

Born January 16, 1914, in Carroll County, Md., she was the daughter of the late William L. and Eltia (Kirkhoff) Bechtel.

She retired from Middleburg after over 30 years of service as a seamstress and was a member of Missionary Bible Baptist Church. She was also a member of A.A.R.P. and the Super 60's of Westminster. She was an avid reader who enjoyed traveling, going out to eat, and flowers. Gertrude never met a stranger. She took the time to strike up a conversation with everyone she ever met.

Surviving are seven children, Henry Rebert and wife, Madeline, William Rebert and wife, Ruth, Barbara Raber and husband, Phil, Thelma Martin, Patricia Dickensheets and husband, Gary, all of Hanover, Robert Rebert, Sr. and wife, Karen of New Oxford, and Diane Coppola and husband, Salvatore of Hanover; two sisters, Phyllis Riley of Hanover and Susan Harrison of Boca Raton, Fla.; a brother, Maynard Bechtel of Mechanicsburg; a sister-in-law, Helen Bechtel of Hanover; 23 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; and 24 step great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Gertrude was preceded in death by a son-in-law, George Martin; and 11 brothers and sisters.

A service to celebrate and honor Gertrude's life will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 11, at the Kenworthy Funeral Home, Inc. 269 Frederick St., Hanover, with her grandson, Pastor Steven W. Rebert of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Winchester, Va., officiating and assisted by Pastor Mark Rohnke of Missionary Bible Baptist. Burial will in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.

Serving as casketbearers will be Richard Rebert, Douglas Dickensheets, Daniel Dickensheets, Mark Bixler, Gary Milburn, and Robert Rebert, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 3544 N. Progress Ave., Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

Published in Evening Sun from December 5 to December 6, 2007