Merle R. LeDonne, 82, of Camp Hill passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2020 at her home.
Born March 9, 1938 in Hershey, PA, she was the daughter of the late Emmett Vance and Helen (Tasker) Rodgers.
Merle was a 1956 Graduate of San Bernardino High School in San Bernardino, CA. After High School she went on to work for Bell Telephone Company from 1958 until 1965. She volunteered with Telephone Pioneers of America. Merle was a member of Camp Hill Women’s Junior Civic Club of PA, Central PA Women’s Business Sorority, Hershey Country Club, and was a tennis player. She was a member of the USTA since 1981, a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Camp Hill, and a member of Schaner Adult Center in East Pennsboro Township. She participated in senior wellness activities through East Pennsboro Township Recreation. She loved attending the sporting events and other activities of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved traveling the US to professional tennis tournaments with her husband. Merle was a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant for 38 years.
Merle is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Frederick LeDonne, of Camp Hill, PA; her son Brett and wife Lori LeDonne and their children Lynelle Wagner, Lance Wagner, and Brittany LeDonne; his daughters Renee LeDonne-Cockley and husband Steven and their children Braydon Cockley, and Jaylan Cockley; and Andrea LeDonne. In addition to her children and grandchildren, Merle is survived by her great grandchildren Gabby Fair, Rylie Freeman, and Sarah Freeman; her sister Donna Grimwood; her nephews, Matt Grimwood and his partner Kara Nolte, and Nathan Grimwood and his wife Meghan and their children Mackenzie and Jackson; her sister in law, Sandra Verner and her husband Ray; and nieces, Charlene Swinney and her husband Donald, and Heather Verner-Hussmann and her husband Jay, and their children, Rachel and Jason.
In addition to her parents, Merle was preceded in death by her brother in-law Marlin Grimwood.
A memorial service to celebrate Merle’s life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday July 23, 2020 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut St., Camp Hill, PA, with Pastor Jack Horner officiating. The family will also be receiving friends at a reception to be held in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made in Merle’s honor to Hospice of Central PA, or to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.