June Kolb

June Bardsley Kolb, 91 of Topton, passed away peacefully May 15, 2023 in the Topton Lutheran Home surrounded by her loving family.
 
Born May 17, 1931 in Spring Mount, PA, she was the daughter of the late James and Nettie V. (Shingledecker) Bardsley. 
 
Surviving are her children: Kathy K., wife of Michael Petrauskas of Douglassville, PA; Thomas C., husband of Sondi Kolb of Tioga County, PA; Faith A. Kolb of Whitehaven, PA, eleven beloved
grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. 

She has many devoted nieces and nephews and a close sister Virginia (Ginnie) Burton, widow of Harold of California.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude B. Kolb, and siblings: James, George, Ralph and William Bardsley. 

June married Claude on April 15, 1950 at Old Goshenhoppen Church in Woxall.  She worked at Chatlins in Norristown at the time, often recalling that she bought more than she earned.  She
studied for and completed her GED in 1975.

She was a working mom, employed as a skilled electronic assembler, building prototypes for the engineers from blueprints.

June was a wonderful Mom, and the neighbor kids liked to hang out at the Kolb house. Always ready with a practical joke or to offer guidance, everyone loved June.

Grandchildren and greatgrandchildren loved MomMom, who was always fun. Playing cards, making crafts, shopping and just being with MomMom was special. She loved her grands and
their children, too.

As June and Claude approached retirement, they traveled to Alaska, Panama, New Orleans, Maine, and other destinations. They drove across the USA twice in a camper.

June was an active volunteer throughout her life.  She volunteered as: a group leader, chaperoning trips and organizing events/fundraisers for Luther League; a crafts facilitator for
Spring Mountain House Retirement Home; a transport for cancer and dialysis patients to treatment; a one-on-one literacy teacher for adults who could not read, and a regular volunteer at
Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Schwenksville.

June had many talents within the arts. She was especially skilled with ceramics, which she taught to other mothers in her basement. In later years, she became an accomplished china
painter and exhibited her work in area galleries. Her arts made their way into the kitchen with ubiquitous jello molds at every family gathering.  Stretching the boundaries of ordinary Jello mold ingredients, June’s molds often contained cabbage, peppers, and other unexpected ingredients that created much laughter between her and those closest to her.  Her granddaughter, Alicia, enjoyed each concoction.  

Known for her Danish Modern home décor, and lively wallpaper treatments, June took great pride in her home. She enjoyed being on the cutting edge of interior design.

June designed and sewed fashionable Barbie clothes for her daughters and nieces. Their Barbie wardrobes consisted of fur coats, lounging pyjamas, ball gowns, and Jackie Kennedy-style suits.

June’s sister Ginnie was her constant companion, even when they lived thousands of miles apart.

One redhead and one blonde, they were a Spring Mount sensation in their teens, and talked everyday until June’s passing.  “What’s up?” was June’s answer to Ginnie’s phone calls.

June exchanged letters with her pen pal Ngaire from New Zealand for almost 70 years – from 7 thgrade until Ngaire’s death. They had the opportunity to meet.
 
A Funeral Service will be held Friday, May 19th at 11am at the Stitzel Funeral Home, 423 Main Street, Oley PA 19547. A visitation will be held from 10-11am at the funeral home.  Burial will be
in Schwenksville Cemetery, 715 N. Limerick Rd, Schwenksville.
 
In Lieu of flowers contributions can be made to: Heifer International, www.heifer.org

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