Oliva "Red" Lidwell, 83, a resident of Hollidaysburg Veterans Home, formerly of Ashville, died Tuesday at the home.
She was born in Graham County, Kan., daughter of the late Andrew and Catherina (Gerstner) Appelhans. Due to the death of her mother, she was raised by her Uncle and Aunt Wendelin and Caroline (Appelhans) Knoll. She married the late Joseph Lidwell Sr. on Jan. 3, 1948, in Salina, Kan. and he passed away Sept. 5, 2005.
Surviving are six children: Cathy Shingler and Carol (Bernie) Karabinos, both of Ashville, Melody (George) Korlinchak of New Holland, Sandy Lidwell of Ephrata and Joe Jr. (Lynn Clossin) and Scott (Sherry Miller), both of Ashville; 18 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; three sisters-in-law: Earlene Appelhans and Esther Appelhans, both of Garden City, Kan. and Lois Lidwell of Van Ormer; her former son-in-law, Ron Shingler of Ebensburg; and numerous nieces and nephews. Also, Red and Joe raised the children of the late Dan and Minnie Little: Dan, Debbie, Denise, Gail, Paulette, Claudia, Maria and Rita.
She was preceded in death by a son, Peter; a daughter, Mary; two grandsons: Jody Lidwell and Nathan Shingler; a granddaughter, Chalsie Lidwell; and seven brothers: Elmer, Richard, Edmond, Julius "Red," Eugene, Andy and Marvin.
Mrs. Lidwell worked at Puritan in Altoona, St. Francis College in Loretto and Head Start School in Coupon. She was member of St. Demetrius Catholic Church, Gallitzin and a former member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Coupon.
Red enjoyed crocheting, traveling out west with her husband, Joe, and playing bingo.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, at Gibbons Funeral Home, Ashville, where a vigil service will be held Friday afternoon. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, at St. Demetrius Catholic Church, Gallitzin, with the Rev. Albert Ledoux, Celebrant. Committal will be at St. Thomas Cemetery, Ashville.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to a local Alzheimers Association or the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home in Red's memory.
