Betty J. Klingel

Betty J. Klingel                                      “Snowflake”

KEATING TOWNSHIP, PA---Betty J. Klingel, 85, of Keating Township, passed away at her residence on Friday, August 1, 2025.

Born on Monday, September 4, 1939 in East Stroudsburg, PA, she was a daughter of Joseph and Irene Rissmiller Padula. After the passing of her mother, Betty was raised by her father and stepmother, Caroline. On October 31, 1970, she married Archie F. Klingel, who passed away on February 19, 1995.

Betty was a graduate of Bangor (PA) High School.

Betty attended God’s Country Ministries in Coudersport and also attended the Keating Summit Church. She was a very caring person, spending many hours volunteering for Potter County Hospice, the Austin Food Bank, and the Veteran’s Food Share Program in Coudersport. She also cleaned an area of Rt. 155 for the Adopt a Highway program for PennDot under the name of “Snowflake”.

She was a member of the Port Allegany Veterans Memorial Auxiliary for many years and was a member of the Black Forest Conservation Association in Coudersport where she was involved with the Black Forest Conservation Camp and the Potter County Jr. Conservation School.

Left to cherish her memory are two sons, William J. (Bonnie) Counterman, Jr. of Tennessee and Archie B. “Patch” (Polly) Klingel of Keating Summit; a daughter, Kathryn J. (Edward) Hendershot, Sr. of Summit Hill, PA; 12 grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; a brother, Paul Padula: and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Betty was predeceased by a son, Kenneth R. Counterman; a daughter, Karen Lynn Staples; a brother, Joseph Padula Jr.;and a sister, Ruth “Ruty” Messinger.

A celebration of Betty’s life will be held on a date and place to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Betty’s name may be made to the Black Forest Conservation Association, PO Box 331, Coudersport, PA 16915.

Betty’s family has entrusted her care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle, or share a fond memory of Betty, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.