Geraldine Marie King

COLUMBIANA - On September 6, Geraldine Marie King left this life just as she had lived it - with dignity and grace-at Hospice of the Valley after a brief illness. Surrounded by her loving family, she went peacefully to her well earned rest.

Daughter of John and Marie Semek Zwahlen, Jerry was born Aug. 25, 1918. She grew up in Alliance and became a nurse at Cleveland Lakeside Hospital where she met her husband, Thomas A. King. They moved to Columbiana in 1947, where he set up his medical practice as she created a loving home for their four children: Vaughn (Harry) Musser, Jackie (Tom) Van Gundy, Jeff (Debbie) King, and Tim (Mary Anne) King. After 55 years of marriage, Dr. King passed away in March, 1997. She was also preceded in death by her stepfather, Harold Artman.

While her family always came first, she enjoyed membership in the Columbiana Garden Club, the Columbiana Women's Club and the Columbiana Rose Society. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Columbiana Methodist Church. Jerry supported a number of charitable causes throughout her life. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, reading, playing bridge and spending time with family and friends.

In addition to her children, she is survived by seven grandchildren: Mike and Megan Murphy, Jennifer and Scot Nery, and Julie, Jackie and Kevin King. Faithful friends include Joan Jones, Doris Powers, Helen Jean Bortner, Alma Ruppel, Jan Brash, Jane White and Fern Bertelsen.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Columbiana Methodist Church on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008 at noon. The family will receive friends in the church parlor from 10:30 a.m. to noon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jerry's memory to CAFSA (the Columbiana Alumni and Friends Scholarship Association), PO Box 233, Columbiana, OH 44408, or to a charity of the donor's choice.

The arrangements are being handled by Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home in Columbiana. Friends may visit www.seederly-mongandbeck.com to view this obituary, sign the guest book or send condolences online.

9/7/08

(Paid obituary)