Obituary – Deanna J. Rall
Deanna J. Rall, 87, of Lock Haven, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Williamsport Hospital. She was born on June 1, 1937, in Lock Haven, the daughter of the late Wayne A. Rathgeber and Sonnia (Zimmerman) Rathgeber.
Deanna graduated from Lock Haven High School in 1955. She went on to work for Bell Telephone and retired after many years of service. A lifelong member of St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, she took great pride in decorating the sanctuary and narthex for Christmas, a tradition she cherished for many years.
She was married for 52 years to William E. Rall, Jr., who survives.
Deanna was the core member of her close-knit family. She loved visiting on the porch, attending her regular bowling league, taking vegetables grown from their garden to anyone who would take them, and going out to breakfast every day. Her greatest joy was, undoubtedly, her family. She loved her children, grandchildren, and young great-grandchildren. Deanna was a dedicated Penn State football fan who rarely missed a game and would nervously clean her kitchen during each game. She regularly cooked dinner for her family, and “Sunday Dinners at Gram and Pap’s” became a weekly tradition.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Jen ‘Jenny’ Quiggle, of Lock Haven; a stepdaughter, Nicole (Jay) Rall-Miller, of Lock Haven; her grandchildren, Erin Bonsell, Evan (Melissa) Helbley, Chadd Miller, and Maegan Miller; two great-grandchildren, Lindsay Bonsell and Dane Helbley. Deanna is also survived by sisters Bonnie Packer of Washington state, Betty Jane ‘BJ’ (Robert) Emert of Lock Haven, and Julie Sheetz of Lock Haven.
In addition to her parents, Deanna was preceded in death by brothers Gary ‘Doodie’ Rathgeber and Stephen ‘Davy Jones’ Rathgeber and her niece, Abbigail Sheetz.
In keeping with Deanna’s wishes, private services will be held at the convenience of her family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, c/o Donald G. Walker Funeral Home, Inc., 231 High St., Flemington, PA 17745.
Although her family is devastated by her loss, they are relieved to know that she is finally reunited with Doodie, her brother, who she would often say she missed.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.donaldwalkerfuneralhome.com
