Virginia G Weltner

Virginia G. Weltner of Belmar Village, Franklin, passed away surrounded by her loving family at The Caring Place on Tuesday, July 25th, her 81st birthday.Born July 25, 1936 in South Ohio, Nova Scotia, Canada, Virginia was the daughter of the late R. Leigh and Mabel S. Switzer Porter. She married Howard A. Weltner at Newton Highlands Congregational Church in Newton Highlands, MA on June 28, 1957, and they recently celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary.Mrs. Weltner was a homemaker and was proud to have been a “Navy wife” and “Head of Household” raising 3 children during her husband’s numerous deployments. She and her husband enjoyed traveling, visiting Canadian Provinces and all U.S. States, except Hawaii. They lived in the Panama Canal Zone for 3 years and in England for 3 years. While in England, they visited Scotland, Wales, Germany, France, Spain, Greece, and The Netherlands. Virginia was skilled in crafts and handiwork, and enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, and especially porcelain ceramics. She also volunteered as a member of the Venango County ‘Meals on Wheels’ Program, was a life-member of the Venango County Historical Society, and was a former member of the Franklin Kiwanians.She cherished her family, and was especially happy to be a grandmother and great-grandmother.In addition to her husband, she is survived by her 3 children, Elizabeth A. Weltner of Anchorage, AK.; Donald A. Weltner and his wife, Nancy, of Franklin; and Thomas N. Weltner and his wife, Mindy, of Franklin.She is also survived by her 4 grandchildren, Aaron Weltner of Franklin; Carleigh Weltner of Franklin; Alisha Newton and her husband, James, of Parrish, FL; and Bradley Beightol and his wife, Carrie, of Franklin; and her 4 great-grandchildren, Paisley and Grady Newton, of Parrish, FL; and Bryce and Avery Beightol, of Franklin.Additionally, Virginia is survived by her brother, Roland Leigh Porter, of Gig Harbor, WA; her sister, Ann Mary Sorensen, of Springdale, Nova Scotia, Canada; her sisters-in-law, Phyllis Weltner of Franklin, and Marjorie Weltner of Largo, FL; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and several close friends.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her father-in law and her mother-in-law, Clifford M. Weltner and Ellen “Susie” Weltner; her step-mother-in-law, Bernese Weltner; her 2 sisters, Dorothy L. Moses and Hazel E. Stos; and her 4 brothers-in-law, George Sorensen, Robert Weltner, Frank Weltner, and Lloyd Moses.Family and friends of Mrs. Weltner will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin on Thursday, July 27th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and also on Friday, July 28th from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Funeral Services will be held at the Funeral Home on Friday, July 28th at 11 a.m. with Dennis Jones, retired Hospice Chaplain, officiating. Interment will be in Graham Cemetery.The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Venango County Historical Society - 301 S Park St, Franklin, PA 16323.To send flowers, cards, online condolences, or for further information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.