Lena Gertrude “Gert” Sarvey, 90, of Meridian, PA, went home to be with the Lord Monday, April 8, 2024, at her residence, surrounded by her family. She is now walking joyfully with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Born October 26, 1933, in Butler, she was the daughter of the late Clayton & Lena G. Shields.
Lena was a graduate of Butler High School and worked various jobs after graduation. She was a homemaker for many years, hosting neighborhood Children’s Bible Clubs (Joy Club/Bible Seekers) and was a Snoopy Block Parent. She joined her husband serving as custodians at First Baptist Church and Christian School and served with him until their retirement in 1996. She could always be found in the kitchen cooking or baking. Her specialty was wedding cookies, and her peach cookies were usually the first to be gobbled up! Lena had the gift of hospitality and always welcomed missionaries, guest speakers, friends, and family into their home. Lena was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, where, in earlier years, was the Superintendent of the 2’s & 3’s Sunday School department, helped with many funeral & other dinners and served on the hospitality committee. She had enjoyed traveling and camping until her health did not allow her to go anymore. Lena was a fierce Skip-Bo Player and her entire family has many stories of games played with her. Her faith and her family were the most important things in her life, and she was a true example of a prayer warrior.
Lena is survived by her husband, Earl Sarvey, whom she married January 3, 1953. Five children, Diana Hill and her husband, Jonathan of Kittanning, PA, Donna Hughes and her husband, David of Denver, CO, David Sarvey and his wife, Peggy of Meridian, PA, Faye Patterson and her husband, Roy of West Sunbury, PA, and Matthew Sarvey and his wife, Kathryn of Riverton, WY; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren, with #28 due in June. One brother-in-law, Walter Sarvey of Prospect, PA; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Bridget Sarvey; five sisters; and four brothers.
Family and friends will be received Friday, April 12, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 124 E North Street, Butler, PA 16001. Additional visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at First Baptist Church, 221 W New Castle Street, Butler, PA 16001. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church with her son-in-law Pastor Jonathan Hill of Union Baptist Church and Pastor Dave Maitland of First Baptist Church officiating.
Lena will be laid to rest privately at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 221 W New Castle Street, Butler, PA 16001.
All who knew Gert are encouraged to share memories and upload photos to her unique remembrance page at www.thompson-miller.com.