Grace Karsnitz

Grace Roseanna Berry Karsnitz, 95 of Annville Passed away peacefully Sunday September 6, 2015 at Kindred Place, Annville, PA Grace was born on October 13, 1919 in Annville to the late William and Katherine (Ulrich) Berry. She graduated from Annville H.S., Class of 1937, earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from West Chester State College in 1941, and her M.Ed. from Temple University in 1959. She did additional graduate work at Duke University, U. of Colorado, and P.S.U. Ms. Berry started her distinguished teaching career as a 3rd grade teacher in the Palmyra Area School District (1941-45). She moved to the Annville School District as a 4th grade teacher (1945-56). As the United States worked to rebuild war torn countries, Grace accepted a position as a 4th grade teacher in the Army Dependent Schools, Yokohama, Japan (1953-54). She returned home and accepted a position as the Elementary Supervisor for the Annville-Cleona School District and held the position until she retired (1956-76). Ms. Berry was the first Elementary Administrator in the Annville District and the first female school administrator in the county. Some of her major accomplishments included transitioning the district from nine elementary building to three (Annville, North Annville, and Cleona). She was the first in the county to establish Parent-Teacher Conferences (1958) and Kindergarten (1961). She created a Guidance Program and Community Awareness Program for 6th grade students. She led curriculum revisions in LA, Sciences, Mathematics and Social Studies, initiated “Summer Happening” with Millersville State College, and hosted professional studies students from LVC and MSU. Ms. Berry Karsnitz was a member of the Department of Elementary School Principals (NAE), Pennsylvania Elementary Principals Association (NAESP), Lebanon County Elementary Principals Association serving as President, Past President and Secretary, I.U. #13 Elementary Principals Advisory Board, Lebanon County Educational Honor Society, The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International serving as President of the NU Chapter, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Grace was a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ, Annville where she taught Sunday School (25 years), served as a Deacon, Elder and Past President of the Women’s Guild. She volunteered extensively serving as the Palmyra Woman’s Club (President 1978-80), Member of R.S.V.P. Council of Lebanon County, Friends of the Palmyra Library (Past Secretary), Literacy Volunteers of America, Hershey Historical Society and Palmyra Flower Club, Meals on Wheels, P.E.O. Sisterhood Palmyra Chapter, Volunteer Hershey Medical Center and UCC Home in Annville. She married the widowed John Alexander Karsnitz in 1962 and she moved to the family home in Palmyra later moving to the Cottages at UCCH. She is preceded in death by the her husband John (1984), nephew Richard Berry, brother William U. Berry, and sister-in-law Lois Berry. She is survived by step-children Nancy (Dr. Robert) Partridge, Dr. John Robert (Suzanne) Karsnitz, nephew William V. (JoLayne) Berry, step-grandchildren David (Jan) Partridge, Alicia Granger, Gail (Brian) Crossan, Jennifer (Nick) Markarian, and John Michael (Kelly) Karsnitz, step-great-grandchildren Cacie Partridge-Nolan; Matthew and Nate Granger; Nicholas and Laura Markarian; Cole Partridge; Shane and Ellie Crossan; Addison, Andrew John, and Haven Karsnitz; great niece Caroline Berry and great nephew William (Tiffany) Berry. Grace traveled extensively with her husband John until his death and then her traveling friends visiting all the continents including Antarctica to see penguins. She will be remembered for her intellect, inquisitiveness, loyalty, servant spirit, and most importantly as a loving and caring friend, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the UCC Homes Benevolent Fund, 1 Kindred Place, Annville, PA 17003 or Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation, 1513 Cedar Cliff Dr., Suite 100, Camp Hill, PA 17011 Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 11, 2015, at 11:30 a.m. at the Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory, 618 East Main Street, Annville, PA. Family and friends may call one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the New Union Cemetery, Myerstown, PA. PDF Printable Version

Grace Karsnitz

October 13, 1919 - September 6, 2015