Mary Elizabeth Stoops Ortz, 94, of Chicora, formerly of New Bethlehem, passed away early Tuesday morning, March 29, 2022 at Quality Life Services in Chicora. 

 

Mary was born in Fairview Township on October 23, 1927.  She was the daughter of the late William and Esther Kepple Stoops.  Mary attended Karns City Area Schools.  In her earlier years, she had been employed by General Electric and the Toy Plant in Erie, and later in the housekeeping department at Clarion Hospital and the Anderson House in New Bethlehem.  She was a member of the Oakland Church of God, and was a hospice volunteer in Clarion County.  She also volunteered at the thrift shop in New Bethlehem.  Mary was a member of the New Bethlehem Fraternal Order of Eagles, Moose Lodge, and the Auxiliary to the American Legion. 

 

Mary was married to Clifford Ortz in the United Presbyterian Church in Fairview on January 14, 1951.  Mr. Ortz preceded her in death on September 25, 1999. 

 

Mary is survived by her brothers: William Stoops and his wife Regina of Salem, Alabama, and James Stoops and his wife Donna of Franklin; a sister: Lois Hilliard of the Chicora Medical Center; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, brothers in law and sisters in law. 

 

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Gloria Jean Ortz who passed away October 19, 1972.Her brother, Theordore Stoops who preceded her in death on Oct. 22, 1957 and her sister, Evelyn Stoops Earley who preceded her in death on Jan. 12, 2001.

 

A graveside memorial service will be held at the Kellersburg United Methodist Cemetery, 1473 Madison Rd, Templeton, PA 16259,at 1pm on Saturday with the Rev. Jimmy Swogger, pastor of the Oakland Church of God, officiating.  Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, https://www.heart.org/AHA/Donate or a charity of one’s choice.   Arrangements are under the direction of the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora.  To send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.