Obituaries

“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). Perhaps more than any other scripture, these words guided the very other-oriented life of “Marty” Hagenbuch, even until the moment God lifted her from earthly sleep to her heavenly home.

Anna Martha Hagenbuch was born April 22, 1937, in Ashland, PA, the beloved daughter of Luther Hood and Mary (Stefero) Hood. Although she was an only child, she had many aunts, uncles, and cousins who she cherished and who likely helped inspire her love for others.

After graduating from Ashland High School in 1955, Marty embarked on a career dedicated to helping others. She completed nursing school at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA and became a registered nurse, serving in many areas of the hospital as well as at the Danville State Hospital.

During her early years in Danville, she met and married the love of her life, John Howard Hagenbuch. Together they would have four children, seven grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. Their children and their spouses are Barbara (Hagenbuch) Alestalo and her husband, Eric of New Windsor, NY; Deborah (Hagenbuch) Seibert and her husband Jeffrey of New Oxford, PA; Beth (Hagenbuch) DeLuca and her husband Massimo of Miami, FL; David Hagenbuch and his wife Lili of Mechanicsburg, PA.

For several years, Marty practiced nursing while John started what became an increasingly successful family business – a promotional products company, John-David Advertising. As the business flourished and their family grew to four children, Marty selflessly transitioned from nurse to full-time mother, then added the role of office assistant, willing to do whatever was needed to help her husband and others working at the company.

However, business work certainly was not the most important part of Marty’s life. She cared tirelessly for her family, very faithfully looking after, and praying for the needs of her husband, children, and later, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She and John gave very generously of their time and resources to their family and many other individuals and nonprofit organizations, wherever they saw a need.

Marty’s increasingly strong faith was her main motivation for helping others. For more than four decades she and John were very active members of First Baptist Church of Danville, where she served as a deaconess, greeter, and a choir member, among other roles. She also was very active in the area’s Christian Women’s Clubs including the Danville Tri-County After Five Club where she served as the first Prayer Advisor. Later, she served on the community board of the Health South Rehabilitation Hospital in Danville.

Far from a once-a-week activity, Marty’s faith filled every moment of her day, leading her to take other-oriented actions like making meals for grieving families, helping neighbors in need, giving Christmas gifts to postal carriers and other service providers, and offering new acquaintances DVDs about Jesus’ life.

Moreover, Marty took very literally the charge of 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing.” Each day she continually asked God to help individuals with their needs, from her great grandchildren, to church pastors, to world leaders.

After nearly 63 years of happy marriage, God took John home to be with Him in August of 2021. Although she greatly missed her husband, and a variety of physical challenges hindered her body and increasingly severe dementia limited her mind, Marty continued to use the remaining years of her life to “look to the interests of others.”

While in assisted living and in memory care in Mechanicsburg, PA, she kept a supply of individually wrapped chocolates that she gave to caregivers to thank them for doing things like taking out her trash and cleaning her room. Each Sunday she enjoyed attending worship service at Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ Church where she’d shake the hand of the pastor who shared the sermon and thank them for doing “a good job.”

A month before her death, she suffered a major heart attack, but even in intensive care and cardiovascular recovery, she prayed for others “without ceasing.” She also often asked nurses and doctors if they had a good lunch and when they’d get to go home.

On February 23, 2024, the Lord tenderly called Marty home. She had very faithfully followed His ‘greatest commandments’ in Matthew 22:36-40, and filled 86 years of life full of love for God and love for others.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life for Marty on Friday, March 1, 2024, at 12:30PM at First Baptist Church, 12 Brookside Dr, Route 642 East, Danville, PA with the Reverend Dawes J. Dunham officiating. Burial will be private in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Danville, PA. Livestream can be viewed on http://www.danvillefirstbaptist.org

The family will provide flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International, 490 Queen Street, Northumberland, PA 17857, First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 12 Brookside Drive, Danville, PA 17821, or The Montrose Broadcasting Company, 251 High Street, PO Box 248, Montrose, PA 18801.

Arrangements are under the direction of Visneski Funeral Home, Inc 42 West Mahoning Street Danville PA 17821. www.visneski.com.