May 5, 2021
Darlene Joy (Diffenderfer) Merritts, 84, of Juniata, Altoona, passed away peacefully at Maybrook Rehabilitation Center in Altoona on Thursday. She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late Clarence and Gladys (Robinson) Diffenderfer. She married John Milton Merritts on Sept. 27,
1958. He preceded her in death in 2016, after a beautiful 57-year marriage.
She is survived by her four children: Timothy (Sharon), Lisa (Jim Hite), Lori (Dominic Dugo), and Lynne Daniels; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
She was a 1955 graduate of Altoona High School.
Friends will be received from 11 a.m. until the 1 p.m. funeral service on Thursday, May 6, 2021, at Mauk and Yates Funeral Home Inc., 719 N. Fourth Avenue, Juniata. Interment will be made at Blair Memorial Park, Antis Township.
Carol Ann Hughes | News, Sports, Jobs - Altoona Mirror altoonamirror.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from altoonamirror.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Altmanshofer
She was the daughter of the late George and Mary (Boyles) Bender.
Surviving are two daughters, Robin Chestnut and Karen and husband, Shaun McCready; a granddaughter, Samantha Chestnut; a nephew who was like a son to her, Michael Kopac; a sister, Cecelia (Bender) and husband, Joseph Orr; and many other close relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Robert Altmanshofer; and her stepsister, Margaret Kugler.
Dolores was a 1954 graduate of Altoona High School. She was employed by Bell Telephone prior to joining her husband’s business as a bookkeeper for Frankstown Sand Supply. In addition to her business endeavors, she was committed to raising her two daughters.