Obituaries

Karen J. Ortz, 80, of New Bethlehem, went peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior, on Thursday October 10, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Born on July 15, 1944, in St. Charles, she was the daughter of the late Milford G. and Willihaven E. (Blair) Bailey.

She was a wonderful example of her loving God by her servant heart, her selflessness, and her loving character. Her compassion always showed by her kind smile, along with her gift of cooking and baking for others. She was the owner of Karen’s Korner Restaurant in Sligo for over a decade. Her cooking will be missed by many.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Limestone. Her greatest testimony was displayed by the way she lived life. Her desire and request is for others to know of God’s free gift of salvation through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Karen was married on July 27, 1963, to Raymond L. Ortz of New Bethlehem and is survived by her loving husband of over 61 years, also surviving are two daughters, Kristin Shreckengost and her husband, Mike, of New Bethlehem, and Teri Partin and her husband, Jamey, of Lexington, Kentucky, five grandchildren, Misty (Bob) Martin, Michael Shreckengost II, Megan (Chris) Murray, Malachi (Kaitlin) Shreckengost, and Skyler Partin. She was also blessed with eleven great- grandchildren, Rylee, Nevaeh, Elijah, Canyon, Micah, Brinley, Madylhen, Evalina, Willivene, Maelynn, and Owen, and four sisters, Joan Sherman, Linda Sherry, DIana Mann and her husband, Ken, and Deb Rupp and her husband, Terry, all of New Bethlehem.

In addition to her parents, Karen was preceded in death by two sisters, Sandy Stewart and Sue McIntyre, and a brother, Jerry Bailey.

Family and friends are welcome as we celebrate her life on Monday, October 14, 2024, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Alcorn Funeral Home in Hawthorn. The funeral service will be on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Limestone with her son-in-law, Pastor Mike Shreckengost officiating.

Interment will be in the Kellersburg Methodist Cemetery, Madison Township, Armstrong County.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.alcornfuneralhome.com.