Edna M. Deist

Edna M. Deist, 96, of Fairhope, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 30, 2020.   She was born October 25, 1923 in Greenville Township, Somerset County, PA, daughter of Irvin and Stella (Murray) Miller. She is preceded in death by parents, husband Donald, brothers Harry, Ray, Harold, and Ralph, sister Emma Lindeman, and son-in-law Rick Sechler. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Survived by her children: Dale and wife the former Barbara Hanft, Greenville, Arthur and wife the former Diane Nidbella, Aliquippa, and Audrey Deist-Sechler, Fairhope. Grandchildren: Kristen (Matthew) Wilson, Carrilyn (Jeff) Holden, David (Theresa) Deist, Brianna (Matthew) Leatham, Summer Robinson, Corey (Jessica) Sechler, Julie (Jason) Huston, Jamie (Leila) Sechler, and Jessica, Jaclyn, and Kathryn Eisel; and 21 great grandchildren. Edna worked at the Shirt Factory in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania where she met a certain service station owner, Donald Deist, fell in love and married her sweetheart. They were married for 74 years and now have gone to meet the Lord within 3 days of each other, Hallelujah! Edna and Donald moved to the Poorbaugh Apple Orchard and dairy farm in 1947. They lived there and enjoyed raising their family and being an active part of the community. Edna and Don enjoyed square dancing and camping in their RV. She was a member of the First Society of Farm Women and they were active members of Maple Valley Campers. Edna was an amazing cook and gardener. Her specialties were creamed lima beans, baked apples, magic fruit cake, strawberry jam and apple dumplings. She knew how to grow hearty vegetables and lush flowers. Being at the shirt factory probably explained how she was an accomplished seamstress which she taught to 2 generations of family. Edna made cherished quilts for each grandchild upon their wedding. Besides being a dedicated farm wife and mother, she was a working partner in the apple orchard and helped pick, grade and pack the apple baskets until the 1960’s. Lest we never forget, Edna was a child of God and was active throughout her life in the church along side her husband, Donald where they were most recently members of the Calvary Bible Church of Ellerslie, MD. Because of the proximity of both of their passings, there will be a joint viewing and service. Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Deaner Funeral Home, Berlin where service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday. The service will be live streamed on the Deaner Funeral Home Facebook Page. Per state mandate, masks and social distancing are recommended. Rev. Greg Miller and Rev. Ken Korns officiating. Interment Mt. Lebanon Cemetery, Glencoe. In lieu of flowers contributions may be given to Calvary Bible Church, 13901 South Gardner Street, Ellerslie, Maryland 21529. Condolences to the family may be offered at DeanerFuneralsAndCremations.com.