Obituary for Deborah R. Portzline (Willow)
Deborah R. (Willow) Portzline, 71, of Mount Pleasant Mills, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at the Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg.
Born on September 23, 1949 in Mifflintown, Juniata County, she is the daughter of the late Richard I. and Helen Jean (Landis) Willow.
On August 27, 1982, she was married to her surviving husband, James F. Portzline with whom she was blessed to share over 38 years of marriage.
She is survived by: her four sons, Matthew L. Ferster and his wife Leah of Juneau, AK, Jamie A. Portzline and his wife Heather of Middleburg, Mark P. Ferster and his wife Lisa of Richfield, and Jeremy L. Portzline and his wife Amber of McAlisterville; siblings, Thomas R. Willow and his fiancé Teresa Dimm of Thompsontown, Theodore C. Willow and his wife Patricia of McAlisterville, Rodger L. Willow and his wife Darlene of Thompsontown, Catherine W. Kauffman and her husband Randall of Mifflintown, and Patty J. Weiand and her husband Fred of Thompsontown; many nieces and nephews; nine grandchildren, Naomi Ferster, Luke Ferster, Leah Ferster, Jake Ferster, Gavin Portzline, Kyle Ferster, Ryland Portzline, Brandon Ferster, and Avery Portzline; and one great granddaughter, Amina.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Howard Lynn Ferster in November 1981.
Deb was a 1967 graduate of East Juniata High School in Cocolamus and was a member and attended the Richfield Life Ministries Church.
In earlier life, she was employed as a Senior Loan Trust Officer with Snyder County Trust, after which she was employed and retired as a Customer Service Representative with Highmark Blue Shield in Camp Hill.
Mrs. Portzline enjoyed attending her church’s Ladies Bible Study and loved to read, go to the river, go to the beach, and play card games; however, she cherished the time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren. Her memory will never be forgotten.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the Doctor’s, Nurse’s, and Staff of Evangelical Community Hospital for their care and compassion during Deb’s stay.
Currently, All Services will be private with a Celebration of Life being planned for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mrs. Portzline’s memory can be made to the Richfield Life Ministries Church, 167 Church St., Richfield, PA 17086.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville.
For online tributes and condolences, please visit www.brownfuneralhomesinc.com.
Born on September 23, 1949 in Mifflintown, Juniata County, she is the daughter of the late Richard I. and Helen Jean (Landis) Willow.
On August 27, 1982, she was married to her surviving husband, James F. Portzline with whom she was blessed to share over 38 years of marriage.
She is survived by: her four sons, Matthew L. Ferster and his wife Leah of Juneau, AK, Jamie A. Portzline and his wife Heather of Middleburg, Mark P. Ferster and his wife Lisa of Richfield, and Jeremy L. Portzline and his wife Amber of McAlisterville; siblings, Thomas R. Willow and his fiancé Teresa Dimm of Thompsontown, Theodore C. Willow and his wife Patricia of McAlisterville, Rodger L. Willow and his wife Darlene of Thompsontown, Catherine W. Kauffman and her husband Randall of Mifflintown, and Patty J. Weiand and her husband Fred of Thompsontown; many nieces and nephews; nine grandchildren, Naomi Ferster, Luke Ferster, Leah Ferster, Jake Ferster, Gavin Portzline, Kyle Ferster, Ryland Portzline, Brandon Ferster, and Avery Portzline; and one great granddaughter, Amina.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Howard Lynn Ferster in November 1981.
Deb was a 1967 graduate of East Juniata High School in Cocolamus and was a member and attended the Richfield Life Ministries Church.
In earlier life, she was employed as a Senior Loan Trust Officer with Snyder County Trust, after which she was employed and retired as a Customer Service Representative with Highmark Blue Shield in Camp Hill.
Mrs. Portzline enjoyed attending her church’s Ladies Bible Study and loved to read, go to the river, go to the beach, and play card games; however, she cherished the time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren. Her memory will never be forgotten.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the Doctor’s, Nurse’s, and Staff of Evangelical Community Hospital for their care and compassion during Deb’s stay.
Currently, All Services will be private with a Celebration of Life being planned for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mrs. Portzline’s memory can be made to the Richfield Life Ministries Church, 167 Church St., Richfield, PA 17086.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville.
For online tributes and condolences, please visit www.brownfuneralhomesinc.com.