Sarah ‘Sally’ (Orr) Herdman

Sally attended school in the Altoona School District, graduating from Altoona High School in 1957. She continued her education at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, graduating with a BS degree in elementary education in 1961 and a master’s degree from Lehigh University in 1963.

Sally married James L. Herdman in 1961 and began her teaching career in Allentown. She taught elementary school in Allentown, Hatboro-Horsham, Johnstown and Windber. After teaching 40 years, Sally retired from public school teaching and continued her teaching career by working part time in the Penn State College of Education as a supervisor of pre-service student teachers.

Sally served as the children’s choir director and Sunday school teacher for 25 years at Oakland United Methodist Church in Johnstown. She also volunteered to give the children’s message at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in State College, volunteered at St. Paul’s Shoe Bank and Schlow Library. She co-authored the book “Happy Kids in Happy Valley,” which included more than 145 activities in the Centre County region for kids of all ages.

In her spare time, Sally enjoyed playing piano, reading and writing books for her grandchildren. Her greatest joy was spending time with family and especially loved their family gatherings at Thanksgiving, Christmas and the annual family vacation in Rehoboth Beach, Del. Laughing with her family and having Grammy Camp with her grandchildren were all happy times for her. She considered her greatest achievement and blessing in life as being the mother of her four children.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, James L. Herdman in 1990; her second husband, Charles Cronemiller in 2025; her brother, Joseph Orr Jr., and sister-in-law, Janet; her sister, Ann DeHaas, and brother-in-law, Phil; her brother-in-law, Walt Hitchcock; her sister-in-law, Joyce Dunn; and brother-in-law, Chuck.

She is survived by her children: Sarah Walters and husband, Greg; Emily Jones and husband, Eric; Andrew Herdman and wife, Jennifer; Joseph Herdman and wife, Christine; and grandchildren: Shaun, Katie and Jimmy Walters, Ellie Jones, Anna, Jamie, Ben Herdman and Naomi and Leslie Herdman. Also surviving are a sister, Jane Hitchcock; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 21, 2026, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, State College.

Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 22, 2026, at Kauffman Cemetery, Davidsville.

Arrangements are by Koch Funeral Home, State College.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Salvation Army, 701 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19123.

kochfuneralhome.com