Kathryn Margaret (Fairchild) Keidel

Kathryn Margaret Fairchild Keidel’s travels ended as she passed into her eternal home on April 1, 2019 in Carlisle at the age of 97. She was born on November 26, 1921 daughter of James Fairchild and Kathryn Smith Fairchild in Lewisburg. Her childhood was spent helping on their large farm. She graduated from Lewisburg High School in 1940. She graduated from Catherman’s Business School in Williamsport a year later. She then went with friends to Washington, DC to work in the newly built Pentagon. There she met the love of her live, Robert Samuel Keidel.  They were married on November 26, 1943.When the war ended she and Bob and their new daughter moved to the Keidel Farm on Glencoe Road. They later built their house on Rt. 160. In 1958 they bought what became the Keidel Hardware and Electric store. Kate, as many people called her, was the main proprietress and knew where every screw, hinge or pipe was located. They took yearly trips with other merchants who sold appliances. But after selling the store business in 1985 they started traveling in earnest. They made several cross country trips, and trips outside the US to Australia, China, and European countries. When not traveling they enjoyed square dancing with the Wheelers and Dealers. They bought a house in Ocala, FL where they spent many warm winters. After Bob died in December 2000 Kate returned to Ocala and lived there until 2012 when she returned to live in Berlin.  She had moved to Chapel Pointe in Carlisle in 2017. Kate was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Berlin, Berlin Area Historical Society, Somerset O.E.S. Chapter 138, Berlin Area Business Association and other local organizations. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and a brother as well as her son-in-law Dock Williams and sister-in-law Jean Keidel. She is survived by daughters Jean (aka Jeannie) Williams and Shirley (William) Verbos, grandchildren Rob Hepler (Collette), Brad Hepler (Pam), Danielle Holmes (Lance), Dirk Williams (Darcy), great grandchildren Luke and Anna Holmes, and sister-in-law Fae Hetrick. She spent many enjoyable times with her family in places like Hawaii, San Francisco, Orlando and South Carolina. She was a card shark and we will surely miss playing cards with her and laughing together as we did on so many occasions. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday May 10th at Deaner Funeral Home, Berlin, where an Eastern Star service will be held at 7 p.m. A memorial service will be held Saturday May 11th at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity United Church of Christ. Rev. Dr. David A. Williams and Pastor Dwayne Hay officiating. Inurnment Berlin I.O.O.F. Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to Trinity United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 86, Berlin, PA 15530. DeanerFuneralsAndCremations.com