Patricia Diane Zerres

Patricia Diane Zerres, 75, of Franklin, died at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, at home with her loving husband at her side.

Pat battled Parkinson's disease for more than three decades with grace, humility and fierce determination. In 2004, she was one of the first Parkinson's patients in the region to undergo Deep Brain Stimulation surgery at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, which enabled her to spend many more years with her loved ones despite the debilitating effects of the disease.

Pat was born Oct. 23, 1943, in Milton, Pa. She was the daughter of the late Noah and C. Emma Hummel. She attended elementary and secondary schools in Milton, graduating in 1961.

On Dec. 2, 1962, she married Charles H. Zerres at the Bradleytown United Methodist Church, where the couple attended for many years and began to raise their family.

Over their more-than-55 years together, Pat and Chuck traveled to many countries, including Brazil, Bolivia, Africa and Mexico, where they served as short-term missionaries, and they served together as directors of Jesus Is Life Ministry, based in Franklin.

Pat was known mostly for her servant's heart. She was the perfect example of Philippians 2:3-5: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."
Her quick wit and charm won Pat friends everywhere she went. Her fearlessness in fighting Parkinson's and other personal issues through the years earned her the title of "G.I. Jane" by her family, who watched her quietly and meekly stand firm in the face of adversity.

She was well known for her homemaking skills. Pat's hands were always busy. She loved to cook, can, sew, crochet and knit. She also loved working outdoors, tending to flower and vegetable gardens and the lawn. She was an avid reader, loved listening to southern gospel music and would always have a jigsaw puzzle going. Even with so many hobbies, Pat had a knack for making time to help and support others. Not one to like the limelight, she was often the silent force behind her family and friends in their personal and professional endeavors.

She was an avid Pittsburgh sports fan — being most loyal to the Pirates and Steelers, but she also loved to ring her cowbell whenever the Penguins scored a goal.

She held several jobs before her children were born, working at a five-and-dime shop near her hometown after her high school graduation, then at the former American Greeting card factory in Reno once she was married and living in the Franklin area. She also served as an auditor for Plum Township in her earlier years. She volunteered for many years at Life Ministries Inc., cooking meals on weekends for retreat groups who stayed at Christ's Castle near River Ridge.

Pat is survived by her beloved husband, Chuck, and their children, Cathi and Darrin McMillen of Pittsburgh and Cindi and Dale Power of Franklin.
She also is survived by a grandson, Israel Power of Oil City, and three great-granddaughters, Courtney Alcorn of Titusville, Grace Power of Franklin and Alex Power of Franklin.

Her survivors also include her sister Nancy Stover and her husband Guy of Lewisburg and brothers Noah "Butch" Hummel and his wife Betty, Robert Hummel and Terry Hummel and his wife, Kitty, all of the Milton area; and many nieces and nephews. She was particularly close to her sisters-in-law, Nancy Stoughton of Slippery Rock, Jean Shreffler of Pleasantville and the late Ann Reynolds.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Connie Hummel.

As per Pat's request, there will be no viewing or funeral. Burial will be at the family plot in the Jerusalem Corners Cemetery near Pleasantville.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Second Presbyterian Church, 111 Reed St., Oil City.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Huff - Guthrie Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 312 West Park St. Franklin.

A scholarship fund to support local missionaries has been set up in memory of Pat through the missions ministry she and her husband have been dedicated to since the mid-1970s. Memorial donations for the fund may be directed to Jesus Is Life Ministry at 260 Jesus Is The Way, Franklin, Pa., 16323.

Memorial donations also may be sent to the Visiting Nurses Association of Venango County, 491 Allegheny Blvd., Franklin.

Online condolences and flowers may be sent to the family by visiting www.HuffFuneral.com