Irma J. Stanish, 80, of 1665 Bucktail Rd., St. Marys, died Monday evening, Sept. 1, 2014 at Elk Haven Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born May 13, 1934 in St. Marys, daughter of the late Peter and Elizabeth Gerber Herzing. On Oct. 22, 1955 in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, she married Charles E. “Chowsie” Stanish, who preceded her in death on July 26, 1986.

Irma attended a one-room schoolhouse in Swissmont during some of her elementary years and was a graduate of St. Marys Area High School, Class of 1952. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church. She worked at Sylvania in both Emporium and St. Marys, Elco Sintered Alloys, Stackpole, Halloway Tool, the Bavarian Inn and the Elk Casino.

She enjoyed dancing and music, playing cards and Mahjong, reading, watching the Steelers and Pirates play, and taking occasional trips to the casino. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family.

She is survived by four daughters, Debra (Ray) Alexander, Charlene (Greg) Snelick, Kathleen Stanish and Victoria Stanish, all of St. Marys; a son, Richard Stanish (Dr. Hans Bernhoft) of North Palm Beach, Fla.; five grandchildren, Susan Alexander, Jennifer Alexander and Andrew “A.J.” Alexander, all of St. Marys, Rebecca (Kevin) Florig, Matthew Snelick and Daniel Snelick, all of Pittsburgh; a great-grandchild due in December; her twin sister, Norma Reed of Emporium; several brothers- and sisters-in-law, Marcella “Sally” Stanisch, Joseph Stanish, Thomas DeWald and Joan Herzing, all of St. Marys, and Ronald (Jean) Stanish of Hollywood, Fla.; and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Frank Herzing, Benedict “Sonny” Herzing and Peter “Buddy” Herzing; 11 sisters, Ethel Dolan, Bernetta “Bea” Herzing, Eleanor Green, Louise Duffield, Angela Reed, Loretta Jones, Martha “Honey” Herzing, Theresa “Dolly” Herzing, Ann Knarr, Dolores Eichmiller, and Elizabeth “Betty” Bankovich; her in-laws, Maximilian Sr. and Anna Geci Stanish; and by numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Irma J. Stanish will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014 at Sacred Heart Church with the Rev. Eric Vogt OSB officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will take place Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home, 169 Center St., St. Marys.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Elk Haven Nursing Home, 785 Johnsonburg Rd., St. Marys, PA 15857.

GENEALOGY