Obituary – Susan C. English
Susan C. English, 73, formerly of Lock Haven, PA, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2024, in Hendersonville, TN.
Born on December 26, 1950, in Buffalo, NY, Susan was the daughter of Henry and Mary (Conlin) Erisman. She grew up in Bethlehem, PA, and graduated from Liberty High School in 1968. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Penn State University in 1971, reflecting her lifelong compassion and dedication to helping others.
Susan began her career as a Social Worker at Lock Haven Hospital, where she served for ten years. Her thoughtful leadership helped establish the hospital’s social work program—laying the foundation for meaningful patient support in the region. After having children, she turned her focus to managing billing for her late husband, Dr. Walter English’s medical practice, and served as President of the Medical Auxiliary.
Susan was known for her quick wit, deep kindness, and generous spirit. She had a great sense of humor and could brighten any room with a well-timed comment or a clever observation. She also had a unique gift for understanding emotions and articulating them with gentle tact, helping others feel seen, understood, and supported.
She found joy in music, sewing, being out in nature, and travel, but her greatest happiness came from being a mother. She was her sons’ biggest fan, never missing a soccer match and cheering them on across Pennsylvania throughout the 90s and early 2000s. Her love was constant, her support unshakable.
Susan is survived by her loving husband, Robert Benckert of Easton, PA; her sons, Gregory English of Rapid City, SD, and Stephen English of Duryea, PA; her sisters, Nancy Arbogast and Molly Kaulfuss of Smith Mountain Lake, VA; and her brother, Frank “Buzz” Erisman of Denver, CO. She was preceded in death by her late husband, Walter English, MD—the beloved father of Gregory and Stephen.
A memorial service to honor Susan’s life will be held at Gedon Funeral Home and Cremation Services, LLC, 121 West Main St., Lock Haven, PA, on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., with Pastor Susan Champion of the Bald Eagle United Presbyterian Church officiating. Friends and family will be received at the funeral home beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Mackeyville, PA, with a luncheon to follow at a location to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Susan’s name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, the Parkinson’s Foundation, or Alive Hospice of Nashville, TN.
She will be deeply missed.
Online thoughts and memories can be made at the Gedon Funeral Homes Facebook Page or www.GedonFuneralHomes.com
