Obituaries

Eleanor T. Wolke, 89, of Sellersville, PA, passed away peacefully in the loving embrace of her family on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital, Norristown, PA, after suffering a stroke. She was born on August 15, 1936, in Jersey City, New Jersey, the daughter of the late John H. and Elizabeth (Kerchner) Thorpe.

Eleanor (Ellie) graduated at the top of her class from Snyder High School in Jersey City. Through a friend from church, she met the love of her life, Otto F. Wolke, and they were married on Christmas Day in 1955. They built a home in Matawan, NJ where they raised their family, hosted innumerable gatherings for family events and holidays, and provided a soft-landing place for family and friends. After thirty years, Ellie and Otto moved to Danville, PA where she recreated their warm and welcoming family home. It was while living in Danville they welcomed the next generation, their grandchildren, who have provided a tremendous source of pride and joy in her life. Otto preceded her in death on October 9, 2018. After Otto’s passing Ellie moved to the Community at Rockhill in Sellersville, PA.

Everyone who knew Ellie felt her love, kindness and welcoming manner. While living in Matawan she was involved in community life, active in the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Keyport, NJ and the hospital auxiliary at Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel, NJ.

Ellie was later employed as a payroll secretary for Bayshore for 10 years. While living in Danville she was a clerk for McWilliams Pharmacy, joined the Hummel Club and German Heritage Society of the Susquehanna Valley, and she was an avid participant in the local Silver Sneakers exercise program. Upon moving to Sellersville, she quickly became integrated into the Rockhill Community. One of her favorite pastimes was the Knutty Knitters, a group of people who provided her rich friendship and support.

Ellie’s passions in life were deeply rooted in family and home. She had a great appreciation of the beauty of the natural world. She possessed an artistic spirit. She found joy and solace in cross stitching and crocheting, hobbies that beautifully mirrored her patience and attention to detail. Her love for reading allowed her to explore new worlds while cultivating her ever-growing collection of Hummel figurines, which stood as cherished symbols of her enduring appreciation for beauty and craftsmanship. Intellectually curious, Ellie valued education and was fascinated by science and nature. She was an early enthusiast of the space program, naming two of her sons for astronauts. She played the piano beautifully and passed along musical talent to many members of her family, including grandchildren.

Eleanor is survived by her loving family; two daughters, Beth Robinson and son-law Gary Robinson of Quakertown, PA, and Louise Belensz and son-in-law Alan Belensz of North River, NY; two sons, Alan Wolke and daughter-in-law Nancy (Ryan) Wolke of Bridgewater, NJ and Paul Wolke and daughter-in-law Kim (Connors) Wolke of Washington, NJ. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Alex Belensz (Becca Osborne), Adam Robinson (Atsu Amemiya), Maggie Belensz (Cody Fosbrook), Kate (Robinson) Curry (Brian Curry), Hannah (Robinson) Jackson (Corey Jackson), Zoë Wolke, and Jovie Wolke, as well as one great-grandchild, Rhys Jackson born in July of this year.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her big brother, Warren Thorpe, and one son, in infancy, Glen Wolke.

A Celebration of Life will be private and scheduled at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Community at Rockhill Benevolent Care Fund https://graceinspiredliving.org/about/ways-to-give/donations/ or to a charity of your choosing.

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