Obituary – Beatrice Berry Mellinger
Beatrice Berry Mellinger, 91, of Foxdale Village, State College, passed away Friday, August 2, 2024, at her residence.
Born on November 23, 1932, in Lock Haven, she was the son of the late William and Beatrice Berry.
Bea was a 1950 graduate of Lock Haven High School. Bea first attended Lock Haven State Teachers College and later Penn State. She graduated from Penn State in 1954 with a degree in Elementary Education.
On August 23, 1958, in Lock Haven, she married Henry Showers Mellinger. Henry and Bea celebrated 60 years of marriage before Henry passed on December 14, 2018.
Bea retired from the Keystone Central School District after teaching elementary school for 35 years. She was a favorite teacher to many, something her children hear from her former students frequently.
Bea was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of State College and a life member of the Penn State Alumni Association.
Bea loved Lock Haven and took great pride in being part of the Foxy Ladies who met regularly and supported many community organizations. Bea and her family also take great pride in supporting the Mifflinburg Buggy Museum. The Berry Brothers, Fletcher and Hebron, were the last function buggy makers in Mifflinburg at the end of the era of buggy making. Buggy making was huge in Mifflinburg. Hebron Berry was Bea’s grandfather.
Twenty-six years ago, Henry and Bea, both Penn State grads, moved to State College where they both could be found attending many PSU sporting and musical events. Bea remained active until recently with activities such as bridge and mahjong with other residents at Foxdale. Most of all, Bea loved the time she spent with family, especially visiting, going on outings with or attending events involving her children and grandchildren.
Bea Mellinger is survived by a son, Reed B. (Jeni L.) Mellinger of Lock Haven; a daughter, Jane “Jenny” H. (Wesley T.) Kaluzny of Loganton; and two grandchildren, Riley and Neil Kaluzny of Loganton.
A memorial visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 204 from 6 to 8 P.M. at the Donald G. Walker Funeral Home, Inc., 231 High St., Flemington, PA 17745.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to either the Millbrook Playhouse or the Mifflinburg Buggy Museum.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.donaldwalkerfuneralhome.
