Obituary of Donna P. Gelo

Mrs. Donna P. Gelo, 81, a dedicated wife, loving mother and grandmother went to be with the Lord at 8:15 AM on Friday, January 07, 2011. Donna was born on October 21, 1929 in Diamond to the late Earl and Georgia Strawbridge Proper. Donna was a life-long resident of Diamond and was raised on the family farm. She attended Sunville School before graduating from Titusville High School in. Donna met her late husband Carl Gelo while working at Talon Corporation in Meadville. Donna and Carl were married on September 6, 1951, in Meadville and celebrated over fifty years of marriage. As a young woman, Donna, spent time working at the Diamond store. It was there that she earned the nickname, “windy” or as others might say the “mayor of Diamond.” Later Donna worked at a variety of jobs, before becoming employed by Ellis Carload Day, where she worked for twenty years, retiring in 1994. Donna was a life-long member of Diamond Evangelical United Methodist Church. For many years she took care of the “little ones” serving as the Nursery teacher for over thirty years. Donna was also involved in Diamond Women’s Mission, and served as a communion steward at the church. In later years, Donna became active in the Christian Women’s Club and in the Townville Women’s Club. In the midst of all these activities, Donna could also be found crocheting an afghan (or two or fifty), attending her children and grandchildren’s sporting competitions and special events, heading out on camping trips, visiting relatives, or planning one of hundreds of celebrations that were held at the family home over the years. Donna is survived by her three daughters and their husbands – Georgia and Tom Etzel of Lynchburg, VA; Carla and Karl Womer of Townville; and Kathleen and Scott Vincent of Fairview. She also has seven grandchildren and ten great- grandchildren: Amanda and Eric Taylor with sons, Christian and Colt of Madison Hts, VA; Gabriel and Whitney Etzel with children, Landon, Ava and Isaac of Madison Hts, VA; Shawn and Julie Womer with daughters, Lily and Haley of Glen Rock; Brian Womer of Camp Hill; Daniel Womer of Camp Hill; Katrina and Ryan Smith, with children Gianna and Gunnar of Erie; Kayla and Nate Millet with daughter, Maliya of Erie; a sister and brother-in-law, Norma and Ronald Copeland of Diamond; and many nieces and nephews. Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Gelo, her great-grandson, Graden Vincent Smith, and two sisters – Cecile M. Hummer and Ruth Baer. Friends may call at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home 303 N. Washington St., Titusville on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM. Funeral services will be conducted from the Diamond Evangelical United Methodist Church on Monday at 10:00 AM with current pastor Rev. Stephen Tiffany and former pastor Rev. John Hall, officiating. Interment will be in Diamond Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to….Grady’s Decision, c/o Katrina Smith, 5390 Cray Road, Erie PA 16509. FLOWERS