Anita Herzberger

Anita Tempia (Williams) Herzberger, age 85, of Sebring, passed away, at 4:28 p.m. Sunday December 23, 2012, at Crandall Medical Center. She was born September 18, 1927, in Power, (near Follansbee) W. Va., to Edward A. and Gertrude Louise (Durbin) Williams. Anita was a graduate of Wintersville High School and Steubenville Business College. She was a member and attended the Union Avenue United Methodist Church. In her youth, she was an active 4H member. When she was a Maid of Honor for a wedding in 1946, she met Vergil Herzberger. He had an engagement ring on her finger within 3 months. They were married June 5, 1948, in the First United Presbyterian Church in Steubenville. They always felt the Lord brought them together. While attending Buena Vista United Methodist Church and being married for 9 years, Anita and Vergil had a "special calling" from the Lord and they made the decision together to enter the ministry and with guidance from Rev. Forrest Nees, they began a new and wonderful adventure. Anita was an active Minister's wife and enjoyed working with the women of the churches she and her husband served in the East Ohio United Methodist Conference. Vergil and Anita put great emphasis with "youth work" and "youth camping". She was instrumental in local and conference "canoe camps" into the Canadian Wilderness waters. Anita also got involved into organizing the "Lighthouse Youth Center" in New Philadelphia First United Methodist Church; it was 25 years old in 2012. Anita and her husband, Vergil, always considered their time in the Christian Ministry as exceptionally rewarding. One of their main joys together was collecting friends. She especially enjoyed being a homemaker, mother and grandmother. Survivors include her husband, Vergil; two sons, Terry (Stephanie) Herzberger of Solon and Kurt (Andrea) Herzberger of Masury; one daughter, Tina (Jeffrey) Horne of Streetsboro; nine grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; brother, Larry (Blanche) Williams of Wintersville and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Ralph; her sister, Carol Widick and her namesake, Anita Pitzele. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society/Stark Co., 525 N. Broad St., Canfield, OH 44406. A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2013, in Bennett Chapel at Copeland Oaks, 800 S. 15th Street, Sebring, Ohio 44672. Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home.