Mary Lou Geppert

Mary Lou (Thompson) Geppert came to the end of her earthly life on September 28, 2024, at her daughter's home with loving care from wonderful aids and nurses. Mary Lou passed while her loving husband of 61 years, Joseph Lee Geppert Sr., her devoted daughter Mary Beth Geppert, and their shared dog, Kasey, helped to ease Mary Lou’s passing.

Mary Lou was born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, to Robert (Bob) Walter Thompson and Sarah (Sally) Boyle. She loved growing up in Clearfield, going to the Clearfield Dairy for Chocolate Chip Ice Cream with her grandparents, Francis Ignatius Thompson, and Roxie (Hess) Thompson. She was a lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church and a 1957 graduate of Clearfield High School. She built lifelong friendships in school, and for many years, she and a group of her classmates would meet regularly to plan reunions.

Mary Lou had a zest for life, enjoying card games like Pinochle. She belonged to several card clubs with friends: her women’s club lasted over five decades! She was a vibrant part of the Elm Avenue community, where she lived for 57 years, organizing events that brought neighbors together, that built many lifelong friendships.

Her work life started in Downtown Clearfield at Shugarts Shoes, then to The Progress Newspaper, and finally at Cowdrick’s Drug Store before taking time off to raise her two children, Joie and Mary Beth. She encouraged her children to explore everything from Scouts to swimming, from community service to musical/theatrical adventures. For those of you who know her son, Joie, he continues Mary Lou’s legacy by helping many lives with a contagious good nature like hers. And anyone who knows Mary Beth knows she is a talented live performer. After years inspiring her children, Mary Lou worked at the Royal Nine as a bookkeeper and then as a secretary at her beloved church, Trinity United Methodist Church for over 20 years.

A true matriarch, Mary Lou was the family historian, keeping track of birthdays, weddings, and other milestones. She touched the lives of many, and her smile and good nature were contagious. Mary Lou had the fierceness of a lioness to protect her family and friends, but she loved with all her heart and would come to your rescue 24 hours a day if needed.

She had multiple hobbies. She sewed, made clothes for her family, and assisted with costumes for CAST and the Reitz Theater. She tried many crafts over the years and found deep love for ceramics. Mary Lou made it a goal to create ceramic Santas as gifts to her many nieces and nephews as wedding presents so each Christmas they could remember Aunt Mary Lou.

Mary Lou is survived by her husband, Joseph (Joe) Geppert, Sr.; her son, Joseph Lee Geppert Jr., and his husband, Patrick Bahan Carney of Erie, PA; her daughter, Mary Beth Geppert, currently of Clearfield, PA but resident to the world at large; Mary Lou’s brother, Robert (Bob) Walter Thompson, and his wife, Margaret (Peggy Jo) Thompson of Vienna, Ohio; many brothers and sisters-in-laws; and numerous nieces and nephews. At 85 years old, she still had her one aunt, Jean (Boyle) Ogden. She was preceded in death by many, including her parents, Robert (Bob) W. Thompson and Sarah (Sally) Boyle Sherwin; her grandparents, Frank Boyle and Hilma (Johnson) Boyle, Francis I. Thompson and Roxie (Hess) Thompson; her aunts, Madelyn (Mad) Boyle Mann, Ruth (Boyle) Derrick, Donna (Boyle) Dodge, Lois (Thompson) Peters; her uncles, Richard Boyle, William L. Thompson, Daryl Thompson, Joseph Peters; and many others who are waiting to deal cards and play Pinochle.

She will be remembered as someone who loved and wanted the best for everyone she knew. She did her daily devotionals and wrote notes about those on her prayer chain, thinking of ways to improve their lives. Mary Lou’s infectious smile and caring spirit touched the lives of many. She was known for her fierce love and unwavering support for those around her.

In her memory, let us honor her legacy by spreading kindness and positivity, just as she did throughout her life. Mary Lou was someone to model after in spreading positivity to everyone. She always complimented caregivers, servers, workers, and tried to get a smile even from the store clerk who seemed to be having a bad day. Please, go out and do a nice thing for a stranger today and remember Mary Lou as an inspiration.

In remembrance of Mary Lou Geppert’s life and love, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 121 S. 2nd Street, Clearfield, PA 16830 or Barber National Institute, 100 Barber Place, Erie, PA 16507-1865 or Children’s Aid Society of Clearfield, 1008 S 2nd Street, Clearfield, PA 16830.

End of Life Celebration will be held Friday, October 11, 2024 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 121 S. 2nd Street, Clearfield, PA 16830. Viewing is 3:00pm - 6:00pm with services at 6:00pm with Dr. C. Frederick Ralston officiating. Friends and family are invited for Mable’s Pizza, Homemade Pies, Legends’ Soup and Salad afterwards in the Lee Parish Hall, also in Trinity Church.

A committal service will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 10:15 AM at the Historic Crown Crest Cemetery.

Beardsley Funeral Home and Crematory, Clearfield is in charge of arrangements.

To sign the on-line guest book go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.