Constance Murphy (Boyer) Shertzer, 80, of Indiana, passed away Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018, at her home.
A daughter of the late Sidney and Joella Crytzer Murphy, she was born May 22 1938, in Kittanning.
Mrs. Shertzer was a graduate of Kittanning High School. She was a homemaker and had worked as a secretary for Sam Jack and as a sales clerk at Bon Ton in Indiana. Connie was a life member of The Historical and Genealogy Society. For over 50 years, Connie has been an active member of Grace United Methodist Church, where she served on many committees over the years. At the time of her passing she was a member of the Funeral Luncheon Committee and a shopper for the Food Bank. Connie was also a volunteer at Indiana Regional Medical Center for 30 years. Over the years, Connie was a volunteer for the American Heart Association, The Cancer Society, and a volunteer for Birthright and Mothers’ March for Indiana County. Connie and her husband, Jim enjoyed traveling and had several trips to Italy, but a trip to China in 2001 changed their focus. They came home wanting to know the Chinese people and became involved in the International Student Family Host Program. It was a life changing experience. They enjoyed sharing American culture with the students and enjoyed learning more of the Chinese culture as well. Weekly dinners ensued and it was a blessing for all. After Jim’s passing, Connie went to the Holy Land with the Volunteers in Mission, sponsored by the Methodist Church. Connie enjoyed reading, Bible study and doing cross stitch. She loved her God, her family and her church.
She is survived by three children: Douglas Boyer (Alice), Portland, Ore.; David Boyer (Diane), Cleveland, Tenn.; and Dianne Ryan (Marc), Apple Valley, Minn.; eight grandchildren: Nathan Boyer, Joshua Boyer, Leigha Boyer, Dylan Boyer, Shannon Boyer, Sean Ryan, Keara Ryan and Kyle Ryan; two sisters: Joie Pryde (Jim) and Patricia Lunsford (Stanley), both of Kittanning. Surviving as well are Jim’s daughters: Nadine Shertzer Curren (Jack) and Denise Shertzer Toon (Mike), who were dear friends. Connie is also survived by four “adopted” Chinese families: Yuchi Ma and Dr. Yong Wu, of Plattsburgh, NY; Guishan Wang and Dr. Qisi Zhang and son, Tyler, of New Brunswick, NJ; Dr. Huachuan Wen and Dr. Ying Zhang and daughters, Abigail and Claire, of Andover, KS; and Sandy Stiffler and children, Adara and Zen, of Phoenix, AZ.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James A. Shertzer; a sister, Carol Lawrence; and her former husband, Dwight Boyer.
Friends and family will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Robinson-Lytle, Inc., Indiana. Additional visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday at Grace United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Bill Blair and the Rev. Kathy Mihoerck officiating. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
The family kindly suggests memorial contributions be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 712 Church Street, Indiana, PA 15701 or to VNA/Hospice, 850 Hospital Road, Suite 3000, Indiana, PA 15701.
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