Margaret M. (Elliott) Zerkle

Margaret (Peg) M. Zerkle, 88, of Coatesville, entered into rest on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at home surrounded by her family. 

She was the wife of the late John P. Zerkle, Sr., who preceded her in death in 2015.

Born on September 8, 1934, in Buffalo, New York, she was the daughter of the late Arthur G. and Margaret M. (nee Mecca) Elliott.

Peg was an accomplished athlete in her youth and attended the State University of New York Teachers College at Brockport on a basketball scholarship, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education in 1956. She later earned a Master’s degree in Education and 65 credit hours towards her Ph.D.  She was a physical education and health teacher at North Brandywine Middle School in the Coatesville Area School District from 1977 until her retirement in 2004. Peg initiated the first American Red Cross CPR and first aid training in her health classes.  She was a volunteer with the Social Committee, March of Dimes, the American Cancer Society’s annual Daffodil Days and many other committees. She was a former member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, a professional society for women educators. 

Peg spent many hours tending to her beautiful flower gardens, loved to read and continue to learn about a variety of subjects, family summer vacations at the shore, and returning to Buffalo to visit family. Peg was a strong, independent woman who was always willing to help others.  Although her greatest joy came from being a loving and devoted mother and spending time with her children. 

She is survived by her son, John P. Zerkle, Jr. (Cara); and two daughters, Sharon A. Zerkle and Cathleen M. Zerkle; a sister, Ellen (James) Heitzhaus; brothers, Arthur Elliott (JoAnn); and Michael (Barbara) Elliott; brother-in-law, William B. Hensley II.; and nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her sister, Kathryn Hensley.

Peg was a member of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Coatesville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 12, 2023 at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 80 S. 17th Avenue, Coatesville where relatives and friends may visit with the family from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the church.

Interment will be in All Souls Cemetery in Coatesville.

In Margaret’s memory, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601, www.alz.org.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Margaret M. (Elliott) Zerkle, please visit our floral store.