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Karen A Crissman
Karen A. Crissman, 55, of Butler, went peacefully to be with the Lord Monday,
March 17, 2014, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Karen was born January 20, 1959, in Charleroi, a daughter of Sandra (Moody)
Kidder and the late Rev. Thomas C. Kidder.
Karen grew up in Adrian, where her father pastored Brush Valley Brethren Church
until his passing.
Karen was a 1976 graduate of East Brady High School. She earned a Bachelor of
Science in Special Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1980,
and a Master of Education from the University of Pittsburgh in 1983.
Karen worked as a learning support teacher for the Armstrong School District for
32 years. She taught at several schools and the last 11 years at Lenape
Elementary.
Karen was an inspiration to her family, friends and colleagues as she continued
to work through her illness. Karen loved teaching and was blessed with the
ability to do it well.
Karen loved watching her son, David, and daughter, Becca, play soccer and other
sports. She was an avid fan of Pitt football and basketball, holding season
tickets for the latter the past few years.
She enjoyed her card club and vacationing with family and friends. Karen was a
member of Community Alliance Church of Butler where she had led Awanas.
Previously, she taught Children's Church and assumed a leadership role in other
children's ministries. Karen also had belonged to the Butler Junior Women's Club
and had volunteered for several charitable causes. She was a people person who
was fun to be with. Karen was kind and compassionate, with a servant's heart.
Karen is survived by her husband, David A. Crissman; and her two children, David
and Rebecca Crissman, all of Butler; mother, Sandra Brown, of Adrian; a sister,
Sharon Crissman and her husband, Earl, of Windber; two brothers, Tom Kidder and
his wife, Kathy, of Cowansville, and John Kidder and his wife, Gidget, of
Worthington; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father; and her brother, Christopher Kidder.
Friends will be received 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 20, 2014, at the
THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME INC., 124 East North St., Butler. A memorial
service will be held 7 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2014, at Community Alliance
Church, 800 Mercer Road, Butler, PA 16001, with the Rev. Dr. Dennis Krajacic
officiating.
A private burial will take place in the Brush Valley Brethren Cemetery, Adrian,
Pa.
Memorials are suggested to Life Choices, 118 S. Church St., Butler, PA 16001 or
13633 State Route 422, Kittanning, PA 16201, with a notation of, "In Memory of
Karen A. Crissman."
Arrangements by Thompson-Miller Funeral Home Inc., Butler, Pa. |
