Lois Alethea Akins Osterman, age 83, of Chambersburg, PA, died Thursday, June 8, 2023 at Brandon Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Roanoke, VA.
Born in New Kensington, PA on November 25, 1939, she was a daughter of the late Andrew M. and Vera Sirota Akins.
She was the widow of George “Bill” Osterman whom she married on July 8, 1989. Mr. Osterman died on January 15, 1997.
A 1957 graduate of New Kensington High School, she later took classes at Shippensburg University, Pennsylvania State University (Mont Alto Campus), Wilson College and Harrisburg Area Community College.
After graduating from high school, Lois worked for Prudential Insurance Company and the New Kensington High School. She then worked for the Harris & Frank Co., Redondo Beach, CA., and Nitterhouse Concrete Products, Inc. of Chambersburg.
In October 1987, Mrs. Osterman was hired at the Navy Fleet Material Support Office (FMSO), which is now NAVSISA, of the Naval Support Activity (NSA), Mechanicsburg, PA, as a Secretary and in 1998 was promoted to computer programmer. In 1994 she was named FMSO’s Secretary of the Year. She retired in March 2004.
Lois was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church and the Young at Heart Club. She was also a member of the Columbian Ladies (Knights of Columbus Council 1426), Burt J. Asper Post 46 American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, AMVETS Post 224 Ladies Auxiliary, Life Member of Charles Nitterhouse VFW Post 1599 Ladies Auxiliary, and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Lodge 600 where she held the positions of Esteemed Lecturing Knight and Esteemed Loyal Knight respectively. She was also a member of the Elks Board of Directors in 2006-2007. She was a member of NARFE Chapter 1063 of Chambersburg, Chambersburg Mall Walkers, and Norland AARP Chapter #3261. She was also a member of Toastmaster’s Club 465 and Dames with Hattitude Club.
She was previously a member of the New Kensington Junior Women’s Club. Lois held positions of Recording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary in the League of Women Voters in New Kensington. She also was a volunteer worker with the Easter Seal Society of New Kensington and Adult Special Olympics at the NSA.
Lois loved spending time with her children and grandchildren who were the center of her life. Listening to music, dancing and traveling were among her favorite pastimes. An avid sports fan, she enjoyed watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penn State and Virginia Tech football.
In addition to her parents, Lois was preceded in death by her first husband Eugene L. Yohe; her second husband, Ernest T. Peiffer; third husband George “Bill” Osterman; her companion, James Smith and her brother, Morton W. Akins.
Surviving are two sons: Gary E. Yohe (wife Kelly); Kevin M. Yohe Sr. (wife Karen) and one daughter, Ginny Ehrhart (husband, Neal); five grandsons, Warren Atkins, Brad Yohe, Eric Yohe, Brian Yohe, and Kevin Yohe Jr.; one granddaughter, Kerri Yohe Smith; one sister; Janice Patla (husband, Carl); a niece and two nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Very Rev. Allan Wolfe, V.F. at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church.
Interment will follow at Corpus Christi Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday at Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA.
Memorial contributions may be made to Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 320 Philadelphia Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17202, Cumberland Valley Breast Cancer Alliance, 1601 Mountain Road, Suite 101, Mercersburg, PA 17236, or the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.
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