Patricia Lou Sunderland

Patricia Lou Sunderland, 93, of 3813 US HWY 522 South, McVeytown, passed away at 10:20 a.m. on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at her home in Wayne Township, where she had resided for the past 74 years. She was born October 21, 1930, in Bratton Township, Mifflin County, the middle child of the late William Charles “Turk” Miller and Gertrude Kauffman Miller. Early Sunday morning, December 26, 1948, prior to attending church, she was married at her Bratton Township home to Benjamin Bruce Sunderland by her pastor, the Rev. Perry Huffaker of the Pine Glen Church of the Brethren. The morning was so cold that only Ben’s and the pastor’s cars would start. Ben passed away on March 16, 1987.

Pat is survived by her three children: Dr. Benjamin B. Sunderland, Jr.; Vickie A. and husband Ray E. McMullen, Jr., all of Wayne Township; and Valerie D. Lewis of Las Vegas, Nevada; three grandchildren: Ray E. McMullen III and wife Melissa of Hummelstown, Brandee N. Dodd and husband Chris of Stephenson, Virginia, and Crystal A. Lewis of Las Vegas; five great-grandchildren: Andrew McMullen, Lydia McMullen, Hanna and husband Derek King, Christopher and wife Elyce Dodd, and Carys Dodd; one newborn great-great-grandson Myles King; and more than a hundred nieces and nephews spanning five generations.

She is also survived by two step-grandsons Steven B. Lewis and wife Robin of Owego, New York, and Alan E. Lewis and wife Patricia of Vail, Colorado; six step great-grandchildren Bryan Lewis, Sarah Lewis, Rebecca Lewis Kilpatrick and husband Keith, Jeffrey Lewis, Kelli Lewis Lum and husband Michael, and Aaron Lewis and wife Lucy; and three step-great-great-grandchildren, Alivia, Daniel, and Vaeda.

She was preceded in death by her four siblings Margaret A. Stewart, Donald W. Miller, Stanley C. Miller, and Conrad D. Miller, and a son-in-law Donald L. Lewis. She had outlived all her siblings as well as all her brothers- and sisters-in-law on both the Miller and Sunderland sides of the family. In August she attended the Sunderland Reunion where she represented the oldest of six generations.

Pat was the 1948 valedictorian graduate of McVeytown-Oliver High School in a class of about 30 students. There she and numerous contemporaries learned secretarial skills from the legendary Mrs. Elizabeth Steele. When the Class of 1948 met for their 50th reunion in 1998, all graduates were still living.

Following graduation, Pat was employed at Consumer Discount Company in Lewistown until the birth of her son. Beginning in the late 1950s she worked briefly at the Creitz factory near Kistler and Metlmex in Lewistown before beginning employment at Standard Steel in Burnham, where she held a sequence of positions. She retired from “Standard” in 1990 as secretary to the CEO.

She grew up in the Pine Glen Church of the Brethren and after marriage joined her husband’s church, the Wayne Evangelical United Brethren Church, which in 1968 became the Wayne United Methodist Church. She was a member there for more than 50 years and taught the adult Sunday School class for much of that time. In recent years she was a member of the Grace Community Church of Mount Union. She was a devoted student of the scriptures and taught Bible study classes at church, for senior citizens meetings, and occasionally at extended sessions beyond the county.

Friends will be received from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at the Wayne United Methodist Church, 46 Miller’s Quarry Road, McVeytown. A memorial service at the church will follow at 3 p.m. with Pastor. G. Phillip May and Pastor Danny Neff officiating. At Pat’s request, there will be no viewing.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Heath-Anderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 61 E. Shirley St., Mount Union, “Honored Provider of Veterans Funeral Care™.” Condolences may be made at AndersonFamilyFuneralHomes.com.