Obituary of Roberta P. Gutshall

Roberta P. (Shaner) Gutshall, 91, of Gilbertsville, PA, passed away at home on January 10, 2025.  Born on December 16, 1933 in East Vincent Township, she was the daughter of the late Norman and Ruth (Kline) Shaner.

Roberta grew up in the Royersford area, attending Royersford schools where she enjoyed studying geography and US history.

Roberta fulfilled her life ambition of being a wife and mother.  Married to the late Walter O. Gutshall for nearly 55 years, she raised four children, who “were all different”:  Walter J. Gutshall, David W. Gutshall (husband of Beverly), Carol L. McNamara (wife of Brian) and Susan L. Gutshall (loving companion of Ron Hedrick), eight grandchildren:  Jeff McNamara, Angela Gutshall, Jay Gutshall, Justin McNamara, Ben Gutshall, Jason Gutshall, Adam Gutshall and Andy Gutshall.  Roberta’s extended family includes 16 great-grandchildren, a little sister Norma Turner, cousin Ernie Kline and many nieces and nephews.  Roberta’s faith and family guided her in life.  Together, “Bertie and Walt” raised their children by example teaching old-fashioned values and enjoying the simple pleasures in life.  Always being available for her children and grandchildren was very important to her.

In addition to her parents and husband, Roberta was predeceased by her sisters:  Grace Lightcap, Doris Hoffert, Betty Leeck and Mary Shanaman.
One of six girls, Roberta also was close to her cousins, the Kline boys, who were “like the brothers the Shaner girls never had.”  Together, this extended family learned to make their own fun, filling the Shaner home with many voices and laughter.  With her love of family and her great memory, Roberta was the go to person for family information.

Roberta enjoyed creating beauty through crafts which decorated her home and given as gifts of love.  She enjoyed traveling the US and Canada with her family, witnessing the geography and history she enjoyed studying in her youth.

A graveside service for Roberta will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Limerick Garden of Memories at 10:30 AM.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider donations to St. Luke's online, can call at 484-526-9054, or a check can be sent to St. Luke's Development Office, 801 Ostrum St. Bethlehem, PA, 18015 with "Roberta Gutshall" in the memo line.

Online condolences can be made at www.sgsfuneralhome.com.  All arrangements are being handled by Shalkop, Grace & Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., Spring City, PA.