Edna Jean Pechal

There will be a visitation at Cross Church on Birdcreek on Saturday, July 20th, 2024 at 10am followed by a Celebration of Life at 11am.

Edna Jean Pechal was born on October 20, 1930 to Frank and Rosie (Matous) Vasek in Bell County, or as the census put it “between Highway 53 and Ratibor Road”. She grew up in Ocker Brethren Church where she was baptized and confirmed.

Edna married Jerry Joe Pechal, founder of Pechal Cabinets, on December 15th, 1951 at Temple Brethren Church. She is predeceased by her parents, husband, and brothers Edwin, Albert, and Frank. She leaves behind two daughters, Debra Johnson and Kimberly (John) Dillard, 5 grandchildren, Kimberly (Martin Coyle) Johnson, Anneke Johnson, and Nicholas Johnson all of State College, PA, and Jerry (Gabbey) Dillard, Justin Dillard of Rogers, TX. She has 4 great-grandchildren.

Edna lived her early years on a farm where she picked cotton for her family and surrounding farmers. The family moved into town shortly after the passing of her father in 1944. There, she helped support her family by working at Kings Daughters Hospital until she graduated from Temple High School in 1948.

She was a teacher’s aide for many years, first at Meredith Elementary and then at Cater, where she retired after 26 years of service. She was also an active Girl Scout leader. Following her retirement in 1995, she took on the full time job of helping care for her grandchildren, often crediting them with keeping her on her feet well into her 80s.

Well known for her dedication to her church as a Sunday school teacher and later Sunday School Superintendent, she collaborated with other area Brethren churches to build up their Sunday School programs. She organized many vacation Bible school programs. She was an active member of the Christian Sisters and Prime Timers.

Edna is fondly remembered by her family as an excellent cook and baker. She made delicious fried chicken, chicken pot pie, and cream cheese and poppy seed strudels, often sharing her talents by cooking for church events.

She never ended an argument with anything but laughter and was always generous with her time, love, and cooking. If you ever drove down East Adams on a beautiful afternoon, you were sure to spot her, sitting on the porch drinking hot coffee or a cold coke, waving at the passersby.

In her last week of life she was visited by all of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, as well as beloved friends and extended family. She passed away peacefully into the arms of our loving Lord and Savior on June 29th, 2024. Well done thy good and faithful servant.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dementia Society of America or memorials to Cross Church on Birdcreek.