Sally Gephart Killian

Sally Gephart Killian (89) passed away on October 26, 2022, at Bethany Village, Mechanicsburg, PA.

Born November 6, 1932, she was the daughter of the late John R. and Marjorie (Kimball) Gephart.  She grew up in Paxtang, PA and graduated in 1950 from John Harris High School where she was class president and from Cornell University in 1954 with a B.A. in Sociology and Psychology.

During her last year at Cornell she met and was engaged to John Killian who was finishing a Master of Laws degree at Cornell Law School.  They married on July 23, 1955, after John finished his U.S. Army training as a Counterintelligence Corps agent.

When John was discharged from the Army they settled in Harrisburg where Sally was employed by the Department of Public Welfare as a pre-school blind child counselor.  In 1963 she retired to become a mother, homemaker and community volunteer.  She was a member of the Junior League and a Deacon, Elder, Kirker and choir member at Paxton Presbyterian Church, which she attended for almost ninety years.  Sally was devoted to serving the interests of senior citizens, was instrumental in creating the Late Start Program in Pennsylvania and was a founder of Rutherford House Senior Center in Paxtang.

Sally was an avid golfer at West Shore Country Club where she managed the women’s golf program for many years.  She was Chair of the Pennsylvania Women’s Amateur Championship golf tournament when it was held at West Shore Country Club.  Sally had two holes-in-one in her golfing career.  She and John played golf together every Sunday, weather permitting.  Sally chaired charitable golf tournaments annually for nineteen years for Presbyterian Senior Living.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, her brilliant son Dr. David B. Killian (Jamie), her brilliant daughter Joan E. Roof (Eric), her loving brother Bob, four grandchildren, two greatgrandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and their children,  and multiple friends.  Sally was the matriarch of the large, loving Gephart family, to whom she taught family values and how to love.

A service of celebration will be held at Paxton Presbyterian Church, 3500 Sharon Street, Harrisburg, PA 17111 on November 12, 2022, at 11:00 am, with Dr. Kent Carter officiating.

In her honor and in lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to your favorite charity.

Kimmel Funeral Home, Harrisburg, is handling arrangements.