Gaye Alene (Keefer) Deshong

Gaye Alene DeShong, 68, of Annville, PA, passed away Sunday, October 9th, at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA.

Gaye was born in McConnellsburg, PA on August 19, 1954, a daughter of the late Elva  (Johnston) Horst and Wilbert  Keefer.  She was the wife of Paul R. DeShong, whom she married on December 15, 1973.

Gaye worked at Mister Bobbin Embroidery in Annville, PA.  In her earlier years, Gaye worked as a medical assistant, a medical supervisor at Hill Farm Retirement Estate and also served as a book keeper for Funck's Family Restaurant and Mini Market.  She served as the President of Bellegrove Fire Company Auxiliary, Treasurer of the Bellegrove Life Squad and she served on the North Annville Election Board.  She enjoyed sewing, embroidering, scrapbooking and cardmaking.  She also loved the outdoors, such as flower gardening, hiking, camping, watching wildlife and birds.  Most of all, she loved her family and friends.  She instilled good values in her children and grandchildren that have and will serve them well throughout life.

Gaye is a member at Sideling Hill Christian Church, Needmore, PA and also attended the Bellegrove United Methodist Church in Annville, PA. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter Jessica L. DeShong of Annville, PA,  son Benjamin L. (husband of Jenna) DeShong of Lebanon, PA, daughter Samantha L. (wife of Karl) Landeck of Birdsboro, PA,  brothers Donald  Keefer, of McConnellsburg, PA, Ronald  Keefer, of McConnellsburg, PA, Robert Keefer, of McConnellsburg, PA, Thomas Keefer, of Harrisonville, PA and sister Jesse Keefer, of Germany.  She is also survived by five grandchildren; Emma DeShong, Leah DeShong, Owen DeShong, Caleb Landeck and Emmitt Landeck.  She was preceded in death by a sister Darlene Gress, a brother Edward Keefer and a grandson Noah DeShong.

Funeral services will be held at the Sideling Hill Christian Church, Needmore, PA, at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 13th,  with Pastor William Swope officiating.  There will be one hour of visitation held prior to the service on Thursday at the church.

Interment will  at Sideling Hill Christian Cemetery Needmore, PA.

In  lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Gaye, can be made to the Sideling Hill Christian Church 10424 Sipes Mill Rd. Needmore, PA 17238 or the Bellegrove Fire Company Life Squad, 1743 Blacks Bridge Road, Annville, PA  17003.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on November 5th, 2022 at 2:30 PM at the Bellegrove United Methodist Church 1530 North State Route 934 Annville, PA  17003.  There will be one hour of visitation held prior to the service.

Arrangements were made by the Howard L. Sipes Funeral Home Inc., McConnellsburg, PA.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.howardlsipes.com.