Janet C Yon

Janet C. Yon, 52, of Avalon Road, Juniata Gap, passed on to her dear Lord and Savior on Christmas Eve. She died peacefully at her home after a very brief illness. She was born Janet Bergstrom in Springfield, Mass., a daughter of Oscar Bergstrom and the late Mary "Polly" (Nelmes) Bergstrom. She married her high school sweetheart, Jon C. Yon on July 2, 1976 in the Chapel on the Penn State Altoona Campus. Surviving are her husband (a music teacher at the Altoona Area Junior High School), one son, Jeremy W. Yon and his wife Melissa of Plympton, Mass., one daughter, Dr. Jendy Y. Harer and her husband Michael of Williamsport, one 9-month old granddaughter, Avery E. Harer, of Williamsport, her father Oscar, a resident of the Winds in Duncansville, two sisters, Polly Barnes and husband Wayne of Laurel, MD, Kathy Burdick and husband Jack of Bath, NY, one brother Joel Bergstrom and wife LuAnne of York, PA, five nieces and nephews, eight great-nieces and great-nephews, and most dear to her, her Yorkie puppy, Poco-a-Poco. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Hollidaysburg, but was raised in the Wehnwood United Methodist Church and spent many wonderful years at the First United Methodist Church, Altoona. Jan graduated from the Altoona Area High School in the class of 1975. She was involved with the Future Teachers Club and played clarinet in the band. After her children were securely involved in elementary school she returned to college to earn her Bachelor's in Education in 1988 from Penn State University. She continued in her education to achieve her Master's in Education from St. Francis University. Jan was a veteran, elementary school teacher of 22-years in the Altoona Area School District. She began her career teaching 5th and 2nd grades at Wright Elementary School. In 1996 she was part of a community consortium that developed the concept for a magnet school in the Altoona District. She then was one of the original 13 teachers hired to establish and teach in the McAuliffe Heights Program at Irving Elementary. This program was based on the integration of technology and the latest educational methods into the school curriculum. At the time of her illness she taught a 1st/2nd grade loop and was the sole remaining member of the original teachers and staff still teaching at McAuliffe Heights. Jan also spent several years as an instructor and moderator for Teacherline, an online, continuing education program for teachers around the country. In the 1990's she was an advisor for the High Adventure post of the Boy Scouts. During her tenure she chaperoned these young people on extended trips that included snorkeling adventures in the Florida Keys and sailing/camping adventures in the back country of the Adirondack National Park. She served her community for 20 years as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). She and her husband were co-founders of the Juniata Gap Quick Response Service (QRS) which was the first in the four-county Southern Alleghenies Emergency Medical Services Council region. Today that QRS continues as an integral part of the United Fire Department, Logan Township. She was one of the first females in the area to earn her Basic and Advanced Firefighting certifications. She attended classes at the State Fire Academy and earned many advanced certifications in Rescue and Haz-Mat. She adored all styles of music but particularly enjoyed contemporary Christian and the 50's jazz renderings of John Coltrane. She loved to read in her spare time. Breaks during the school year were always filled with travels, in this Country and overseas, to visit her children, their spouses, and grand-puppies. Summers were spent swimming and reading, camping (especially throughout New England) and reading, sailing (usually in the Finger Lakes) and reading, and hiking and reading. Jan had a natural talent for gardening and was most proud of her rose gardens. She especially loved to garden with her daughter and daughter-in-law. Sewing and cross-stitchery also brought relaxation and joy to Janet's life. Friends will be received from Noon to 4:00 pm and from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday, January 1, 2010 and from 9:00 am to Noon Saturday, January 2, 2010 at the first United Methodist Church, 801 Allegheny Street, Hollidaysburg. A "Celebration of Janet's Life" in word and music will be held promptly at Noon Saturday, at the church, with Dr. D.L. Brinton Shafer leading. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Altoona Area School District Foundation, 1415 Sixth Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602, earmarked for the Janet C. Yon Memorial Scholarship Fund. Arrangements by Mauk & Yates Funeral Home, Inc. (www.maukandyates.com).