Hilda M. Wentling

Hilda Mary Wentling, 94, passed away Saturday, April 11, 2015 at her residence, 317 W. Main Street, in Annville. Hilda was born on January 27, 1921 in Derry Township, Hershey. She was the daughter of Dominic and Ada Felig, who immigrated to America from Italy in 1899. Hilda graduated from Annville High School in 1939 and was Salutatorian of her class and captain of the basketball team. In 1942, Hilda graduated from Hahnemann School of Nursing in Philadelphia and was awarded her Registered Nurse degree by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in January, 1943. Hilda worked at the Good Samaritan Hospital as a delivery room nurse/supervisor for 16 years from 1946 to 1962. She was very popular and received many thank you letters and flowers from the mothers whose babies she delivered. Hilda later accepted a position at the Hershey Hospital/Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in the Medical/Surgical unit and worked there until 1973. In 1976, Hilda worked in the office of J. DeWolf Silberman, MD, in Annville until her retirement in 1986. On November 20, 1945, Hilda married John R. Wentling upon his return from service in WW II, at St. Paul’s Church in Annville. Hilda was a proud resident of Annville all her life, and a member of St. Paul’s Parish, from whom she received in-home communion every Friday. She was a member of the Lebanon County Historical Society, and the Hahnemann Hospital Nurses’ Alumnae Association. From 1976 to 2006, Hilda participated in the Nurses’ Health Study, conducted by the Harvard Medical School, Channing Laboratory. Hilda was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, John R. Wentling, and her dear beloved sister, Pauline Felig Ruber. She is survived by a son, John O. Wentling, a niece Marie Ruber Walker, and nephews David, Michael, and Robert Wentling, Dan and John Hershey. The family would especially like to thank the staff at Hands on Nursing of Lebanon for the exceptional care they gave Hilda and allowing her to remain in her own home, her greatest wish. Memorial mass will be held on Saturday at 1:00 PM at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 125 S. Spruce Street, Annville, PA 17003. Inurnment will be held in Grand View Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 12 Noon-1 PM at the Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Parish, Annville. Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory, Annville is in charge of arrangements.

Hilda M. Wentling

January 27, 1921 - April 11, 2015