Obituary for JoAnn M. Gallagher (Exler)
JoAnn M. Gallagher, age 83, passed away on July 12th of natural causes in her Chambersburg, PA home. JoAnn was born July 8, 1936 in Altoona, Pennsylvania to Evelyn (Obenauer) and Joseph McConnell Exler.
JoAnn is a graduate of Bishop Guilfoyle High School, Altoona. Upon graduation she attended the Altoona Mercy Hospital School of Nursing.
JoAnn began her formal life of service after graduating from nursing school in 1957. She worked as a graduate nurse at Mercy Hospital and then as a registered nurse after passing her state boards. It was during this time JoAnn met her husband, Daniel C. Gallagher of Johnstown, PA. They were married on May 16, 1959 in Altoona and recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
After marrying Daniel the couple moved to Johnstown where she worked as a Registered Nurse at both Johnstown Mercy and Lee Hospitals.
In 1963 JoAnn moved with her husband and children to Hue, Vietnam where she volunteered to teach Montagnard midwives hygienic labor and delivery practices. After Vietnam the couple settled in Somerset, PA where JoAnn worked as a Registered Nurse for Somerset Hospital and then was selected as the Director of the Bedford-Somerset Drug and Alcohol Detoxification Program. Later she worked as a clinical associate for the private practice of Dr. William C. Ryan.
While living and working in Somerset JoAnn earned a BS in Psychology from St Joseph’s College of Maine and a MA in Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
In 1989 the couple moved to Chambersburg, PA where JoAnn continued her service-oriented life working as a Psychologist at Ft. Richie, MD and Letterkenny Army Depot, PA.
JoAnn was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church and actively served for over ten years as a lector, alter server and adoration chapel adorer. She was also a lifetime member of the Edward Jay Rykoskey Vietnam Veterans Post #1, Carlisle, PA.
After retiring JoAnn volunteered her talents as a medical professional with the American Red Cross and served on a medical mission trip to Peru.
JoAnn is survived by her husband, Daniel C., son Daniel J. (Lisa), three daughters Teresa, Mary and Michele, eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren and her sisters Shirley Bowman of Altoona, PA and Betty Ann Bond of Akron, OH.
Visitation will be held on Monday, July 15 from 6-8 PM at Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202. A rosary and vigil service will begin at 7:30 PM.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday July 16 at 11:00 AM at Corpus Christi Church, 320 Philadelphia Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17201. Rev. Dominic DiBiccaro will officiate. Interment will be held at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Indiantown Gap Rd. Annville, PA 17003 on Thursday July 18th at 1:00PM.
A Memorial Gift may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at stjude.org.
JoAnn is a graduate of Bishop Guilfoyle High School, Altoona. Upon graduation she attended the Altoona Mercy Hospital School of Nursing.
JoAnn began her formal life of service after graduating from nursing school in 1957. She worked as a graduate nurse at Mercy Hospital and then as a registered nurse after passing her state boards. It was during this time JoAnn met her husband, Daniel C. Gallagher of Johnstown, PA. They were married on May 16, 1959 in Altoona and recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
After marrying Daniel the couple moved to Johnstown where she worked as a Registered Nurse at both Johnstown Mercy and Lee Hospitals.
In 1963 JoAnn moved with her husband and children to Hue, Vietnam where she volunteered to teach Montagnard midwives hygienic labor and delivery practices. After Vietnam the couple settled in Somerset, PA where JoAnn worked as a Registered Nurse for Somerset Hospital and then was selected as the Director of the Bedford-Somerset Drug and Alcohol Detoxification Program. Later she worked as a clinical associate for the private practice of Dr. William C. Ryan.
While living and working in Somerset JoAnn earned a BS in Psychology from St Joseph’s College of Maine and a MA in Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
In 1989 the couple moved to Chambersburg, PA where JoAnn continued her service-oriented life working as a Psychologist at Ft. Richie, MD and Letterkenny Army Depot, PA.
JoAnn was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church and actively served for over ten years as a lector, alter server and adoration chapel adorer. She was also a lifetime member of the Edward Jay Rykoskey Vietnam Veterans Post #1, Carlisle, PA.
After retiring JoAnn volunteered her talents as a medical professional with the American Red Cross and served on a medical mission trip to Peru.
JoAnn is survived by her husband, Daniel C., son Daniel J. (Lisa), three daughters Teresa, Mary and Michele, eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren and her sisters Shirley Bowman of Altoona, PA and Betty Ann Bond of Akron, OH.
Visitation will be held on Monday, July 15 from 6-8 PM at Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202. A rosary and vigil service will begin at 7:30 PM.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday July 16 at 11:00 AM at Corpus Christi Church, 320 Philadelphia Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17201. Rev. Dominic DiBiccaro will officiate. Interment will be held at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Indiantown Gap Rd. Annville, PA 17003 on Thursday July 18th at 1:00PM.
A Memorial Gift may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at stjude.org.