Erla Jean Houpt

Erla Jean Houpt, 72, of 5959 Penrose Court, Port Orange, Fla., died at 9:30 p.m. March 5, 2008 at the Port Orange Hospice Care Center. She had resided in Port Orange since 1985.

Born March 6, 1935 in Bruin, she was a daughter of the late Fred W. and Amanda Wyant Linamen.

She retired from Brown and Brown Insurance of Daytona Beach, Fla. following 21 years of service.

She was a 1953 graduate of Bruin High school where she was class valedictorian. She was a graduate of Anderson University, Anderson, Ind.; Central Bible College, Springfield, Mo.; and Zion Bible College, Barrington, R.I.

From the age of 10, she served in various churches as the church pianist and organist for more than 60 years. She joined the ministry team of Gerard McColl Trio, following graduation from high school in 1955. She provided the children's ministry, sang alto in the trio, played birbraharp, piano, organ and accordion. Following her marriage, she served as church organist, pianist, Sunday school teacher, department leader and head of Women's Ministries.

In addition to her husband, James W. Houpt, she is survived by a daughter, Kimberlee J. May of Port Orange and a son, Kristopher J. Houpt of Linwood, N.C.; five grandchildren; and one great grandson.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, two brothers, and two sisters.

Services were held the morning of March 13 in Lininger-Fries Funeral Home Inc., Mercersburg. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery, Mercersburg.

Online condolences may be expressed at Lininger- Fries.com