Obituary

Karen Lee (Connelley) Kreigline, 59, of Hyndman passed into the hands of the Lord on June 6, 2023 at home.
Born March 10, 1964, in Cumberland to Francis Connelly and Mary Dawna Klosterman.
Karen attended Saint Patrick’s Elementary School, where she excelled in basketball, and the classroom. She obtained the nickname of Horse because she was taller than all the girls, and all but one of the boys. Karen went to Bishop Walsh High School for half a year and then transferred to Allegheny High School where she excelled in basketball and volleyball. In her senior year her basketball team coached by Jim Stakem went undefeated until they lost by one point in the state championship. She was a 1984 graduate of ACC in Secretarial Science. She worked for a prominent attorney, James Alfred Avirett. After his death, she worked at CBIZ for 16 years. The last 2 1/2 years she worked at Loren D. Stark Company in Texas.  Karen was a strong-minded person and very loving. She had many friends, especially her work and volleyball groups. Karen, love motorcycle riding with her special, loving partner, Jim. In the past four years Karen experienced a lot of health issues, but that did not keep her from doing everything she could with her son and mother. Karen was especially happy working and organizing her niece Kaylee’s wedding. Our hearts ache every minute she’s gone but will never be forgotten. Karen you were the very best mother, daughter, sister, aunt and niece. We love you.
Survived by her loving and wonderful son, her bubby, Devon Joseph Kreigline “DJ” of Hyndman; mother, Dawna Lee Merkel and husband, Patrick of Cumberland; father, Francis Connelley of Fort Myers, FL; sisters, Julie Merkel Buckbee and husband, Todd of Cumberland and Nicole Connelley of Florida, her special partner of the past 10 years, James Slattery of Cresson; brother, Michael Merkel and wife, Julie of Cresaptown; special niece, Kaylee Adams, and husband, Andrew of LaVale; nephews, Kody Knipple and wife Morgan of Fort Ashby, Tyler and Collin of Florida, great nieces and nephews. Kora, Kolson, and Kamden Knipple; special friend, Dee (Shaffer) Diehl and her family.
Preceded in death by her grandparents, Connelley and Klostermans; brother, Joseph Connelley, stepmother, Julie Connelley; and former husband, Larry Kreigline.
Friends will be received at the Harvey H. Zeigler Funeral Home, Inc., 169 Clarence Street, Hyndman Monday June 12, 2023 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
A funeral service will be conducted at the funeral home on Tuesday June 13, 2023 at 11 a.m. Viewing one hour prior.
Burial will follow at Hyndman Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.zeiglerfuneralhome.com.