Martha Ellen Hunsecker, 94, passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at Menno Village in Chambersburg PA, where she was a resident.  Ellen was born on September 7,1930, in Franklin County, PA., to the late Clarence Shank and Mattie Carpenter Shank. 

 

On January 6, 1951, Ellen  married Charles Edwin Hunsecker,  by whom she is survived. She is also survived by her children, Marcia Settle and husband Bob Settle, Manassas VA., Evelyn Kovach and husband Jed Kovach, Montrose, CO., Elaine Dunaway and husband Tom Dunaway, Harrisonburg VA., Roberta Mae Trimble  and husband Jack Kline, Takoma Park, MD., Charles Hunsecker and wife Susan Hunsecker, Huntsville AL., two sisters-in-law, Louise Hunsecker and Elsie Shank, as well as 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Ellen was preceded in death by her siblings Chester Shank and wife Mary Emma Shank , Merle Shank, and four brothers-in-law, Harold Hunsecker and wife Alice Hunsecker, Wilmer Hunsecker and wife Dorothy Hunsecker, Mervin Hunsecker and Richard Hunsecker. 

 

Ellen was a dedicated servant of Christ throughout her life. At age 12, upon confession of faith, she was baptized, thereby joining the body of believers at Marion Mennonite Church.  She dedicated her life to providing a loving home for her husband and children. She loved gardening, and spent countless hours growing and canning vegetables to provide nutritious food for the family table.  Ellen loved spending time with her grandchildren, and for many years her summers were filled with their visits. Upon Charles’s retirement, he and Ellen volunteered for service projects in various states with Mennonite Disaster Service and Wycliff Bible Translators. Ellen’s commitment to service continued into her senior years; together she and Charles knotted countless comforters for Mennonite Central Committee projects.

 

Ellen’s memorial service will be held at the Marion Mennonite Church, 4365 Molly Pitcher Hwy, Chambersburg, PA, on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 10:30 AM (with a viewing at 10:00 AM) followed by her burial in the adjoining church cemetery, and a lunch. The service will be officiated by Pastor Dustin Dawe and Pastor Connie Detwiler from Marion Mennonite Church and Rev. Keith Elliott, Chaplain of Menno Haven.

 

The family wishes to thank Menno Haven for the loving care they gave to Ellen , Charles and the family during this difficult period. In particular,  they would like to thank Chaplain Keith Elliott, Jody Plasterer LPN, Director of Personal Care and April Katavich, Personal Care Supervisor.

 

Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home, Ltd., Chambersburg has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kelsocorneliusfh.com.