She was born in 1933 in Mexico, PA, (Juniata County) to John K. and Hazel M. (VanHorn) Kerchner.

Marie was a member of the Crete Presbyterian Church where she had been involved with many activities including Crisis Committee, Session member for 30 years, and choir member. She was also involved with many organizations including Chairman's Circle for Presbyterian Senior Living, Friends of the Village at St. Andrew's Village, CareNet, Four-Footed Friends, and she was a leader of bible study at Maple Valley Personal Care Home. She made 30 missionary trips to Haiti and sponsored children there. In addition, she made several mission trips to West Virginia to help rebuild homes for the needy. She received numerous awards for her volunteerism in the community.

She received her M.Ed with L.Ed certification from Western Maryland University and was certified as a school psychologist. She taught for 38 years and was an advocate for special needs children. She retired from IUP as an Associate Professor Emeritus for special education.

She is survived by her beloved girls-Indi and Monkey; two sisters - Elsie Hackenberger, Thompsontown, PA; and Tina Regester, Terre Haute, IN; nieces and nephews - Curt Hackenberger and wife Ada, Scott Hackenberger and wife Junie, Tonda Brubaker and husband Doug, Jamie Oeffler, JW Regester, Trisha Bailey and husband John; 18 great nieces and nephews, and 16 great great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her beloved brothers-in-law - Carl (Pete) Hackenberger and J. Daniel (Danny) Regester.

Family members wish to extend a special thank you to her close neighbors - Cindy, Mark, Evan and Hunter Strittmatter, Goldie and David, Melonie and Russ King, and the Johnsons; her church family at Crete Presbyterian Church and to all others who were there for Marie in her time of need.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 9, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Bowser Minich Funeral Home, Indiana. Additional visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 10, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Crete Presbyterian Church, 25 Brady Road, Indiana. A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Katie Ward-Stear officiating. Interment will be private.

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