She was born in 1936 to Edward M. and Margretta (Sutton) Segner in Indiana , PA. She attended Thaddeus Stevens School , St. Bernard's and graduated in 1954 from Indiana Joint High School .

Marlene graduated from Indiana Hospital School of Nursing in 1959, and then worked as a registered nurse in the operating room at Indiana Hospital . She retired to raise her children, but volunteered as a Red Cross Disaster Nurse during the Johnstown Flood and worked as a substitute nurse for the Indiana School District .

She was married to Dr. Clyde Gelbach, a history professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, for 45 years until his death in 2007. Together, they raised three children and enjoyed reading, gardening, time with family, traveling and summer vacations at the beach.

Marlene was an accomplished oil painter. She also enjoyed crafting, quilting, sewing, shopping, antiquing and attending plays and concerts. Marlene was instrumental in planning and executing reunions for her high school graduating class and was a loyal and devoted friend to many throughout her life.

Mrs. Gelbach was a member of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Roman Catholic Church, Indiana.

She is survived by three children - Diane Paulina and husband Jim , Indiana ; Douglas Gelbach and wife Mary, Springfield , VA ; Christopher Gelbach and girlfriend Adrienne Smith, Chicago , IL ; and five grandchildren - Patrick, Max, Aidan, Margaux and Finnian Gelbach.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother Gerald Segner.

Friends will be received on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. at the Bowser-Minich Funeral Home, Indiana. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 A.M. at the St. Bernard of Clairvaux Roman Catholic Church Indiana . Entombment will be made in the St. Bernard Mausoleum.

The family wishes to extend their appreciation to Dr. Bernard Coppolo and the nursing and support staff at the Indiana Regional Medical Center for their outstanding and empathetic care.

.