Yvonne Sharon Gentzler, Phd

STATE COLLEGE, PA – Yvonne Sharon Gentzler, PhD, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 5, 2021 in State College, following an extended illness, and is now in Heaven with her Lord and family. She was born on June 14, 1953 to Vernon L. and Ardoth F. (Becker) Gentzler in Norfolk, VA and was raised in West York, PA. Yvonne was the first in her family to attend college, graduating from Geneva College in 1975 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies. She earned a Bachelor’s in Home Economics Education from Messiah College in 1977. Yvonne earned a Master’s in 1982 and Doctor of Philosophy in Home Economics Education from The Pennsylvania State University in 1986. Yvonne dedicated her life and career to education and developed many long-standing relationships with former students, ranging from her sixth-grade students at Dallastown Elementary School to many doctoral candidates whom she advised and mentored. She was the recipient of numerous awards throughout her career. Yvonne was proud to be a teacher, advisor, mentor, author, advocate and friend to many. Following her graduate studies, she served briefly as Director of Certification for the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences in Washington, DC and as a consultant and product manager for Simon and Shuster in Needham Hills, MA. Yvonne served on the faculties of Penn State, University of Maryland, University of Idaho, Iowa State University and the University of Minnesota. While at Iowa State, she served as Department Chair and founded the Family and Consumer Sciences Education Leadership Academy. Yvonne also became involved with Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at Iowa State and was recognized as its first national Faculty Fellow. Later, after retirement, she continued her involvement with the fraternity developing and conducting the Hanson Heart of the Balanced Man program for fraternity leaders. In addition to her parents, Yvonne was preceded in death by siblings, Gregory Gentzler, Scott Gentzler and JoAnn Snow. She is survived by her friend and companion, Stephen Hampton of State College; nieces and nephews, Sibyl Snow, Gregory Gentzler, Steve Gentzler, Britni Maines, Lauren Kinney and Samantha Gentzler; her aunt, Audrey Grove; and cousins, Kimberly Grove, Ronald Gentzler, Randy Gentzler, Kim Gentzler and Brenda Snyder. A Celebration of Life Tribute Service will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, September 13, 2021 at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York. A visitation will be held from 1-2:00 PM Monday at the Funeral Chapel. Private burial will be in Quickel’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Assoc., 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or at www.alz.org CLICK HERE TO SEND FLOWERS