Myrtle A. Stackhouse

Myrtle A. (Pursel) Stackhouse, age 79, 7564 Columbia Blvd., Berwick and formerly of Bloomsburg died at 10:30 a. m. on Monday January 14, 2019 at the Berwick Hospital Center.

Born in Bloomsburg on August 21, 1939, she was a daughter of the late Elmer and Mildred (Wolf) Pursel. She graduated from Central Columbia High School in 1957 and attended the former Bloomsburg State Teachers College for one year.

Myrtle was employed as a cook and waitress for 20 years early in her life. Later she was employed as a corrections officer at the Muncy State Correctional Institution for six years and later at the Florida Correctional Institution at Lowell, Florida for seven years. She was last employed as a secretary in the office of Dr. Mark Perlmutter, Hazleton, where she worked for seven years, retiring about 2005.

Myrtle had a green thumb and enjoyed growing plants. She also was a good cook and loved to bake. She was a good mother to her children.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur W. Stackhouse on Feb. 9, 2010; by a daughter Elaine G. Evans on Feb. 7, 1998; a son, Fred B. Utt  on Nov. 23, 2014 and by a grandson, Bradley Utt, on Nov. 18, 2009.

She is survived by four children: Howard R. Utt, Orangeville; Cletus J. Utt, and his wife Lisa, Berwick;  Richard W. Utt, and his wife Angela, Dallas, Texas; Willam E. Utt, and his wife Bobbi, Danville; 13 grandchildren; a number of great-grandchildren; a brother, Jerry Pursel, and his wife Judy , Berwick;  a  sister Mildred "Dollie" Moyer, Berwick; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 2 p. m. in the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral HOme & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg, with Pastor Paul C. Converse, pastor of the Christian Gospel Fellowship Church, Iola Officiating. Interment will be private in Elan Memorial Cemetery, Lime Ridge. Viewing will be on Thursday from 1-2 p. m.