Obituaries

Eleanor L. Brecht Hanley, 96, was welcomed into the loving arms of those in heaven on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at Maria Joseph Manor, Danville. She was born on August 13, 1929, to the late Walter E. and Mary M. (Kitchen) Kashner in Bloomsburg, PA.

She attended the Keller One Room School and then transitioned to Danville from where she graduated in 1947.

In November 1948, she married William H. Brecht. They were married for 31 years prior to his passing in December 1979. In October of 1989, she married Fred S. Hanley. They were married for 29 years prior to his passing in June 2018.

Prior to her marriage, Eleanor was employed at Geisinger Medical Center and the Danville Livestock Market. She spent many years providing a home and raising her children before returning to work at Maria Joseph Manor. During her years working at Maria Joseph Manor, she won several blue and red ribbons at the Bloomsburg Fair while baking with Sister Ernestine.

She loved living on her small country farm, even though the work was hard. Eleanor provided for her family by preserving and canning the bountiful harvest from her garden. She enjoyed cooking, baking, making her homemade butter and she was also a seamstress. Eleanor mended many clothes for her family.

She is remembered for her beautiful flower gardens and love of nature. Eleanor was known for her beautiful embroidery work. She had a strong faith and a servant’s heart. Eleanor read her Bible daily, until her eyesight failed. She made sure her children attended church faithfully during their youth and Eleanor spent many hours praying for her friends and each family member.

Eleanor enjoyed reading and watching the Philadelphia Phillies play. During her second marriage, she loved traveling and attending Little League games. She also enjoyed many visits with her children, grandchildren, great and great great-grandchildren. Eleanor especially loved the holidays when her whole family was together.

She is survived by her children, Harold (Kay) Brecht of Catawissa, PA; Martha (Larry) Kitchen of Bloomsburg, PA; Marvin Brecht of Danville, PA; Nancy (Wayne) Stahl of Lewisburg, PA; and Ann Brecht of Danville, PA as well as nine grandchildren, Brian, Scott, William, and Melody Brecht; Melissa Mullen; Matthew Kitchen; Mary Pascavage; Jeremy and Nathan English; and numerous great and great-great grandchildren. Eleanor is also survived by one brother; Carl (Hilda) Kashner of Danville, PA and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her husbands and parents; she was preceded in death by one brother, Earl Kashner and one sister, Clara Krum.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Eleanor’s Life to be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 791 Columbia Hill Road, Danville, PA with Reverend Carvel May officiating. Friends will be received from 09:00AM-10:45AM. Burial will follow in Columbia Hill Cemetery, Danville.

The family will provide flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, c/o Susan Reedy, 38 Garman Road, Danville, PA 17821 or to a charity of your choice.

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