MELVINA 'COOKIE' K. BRANTNER-DREXLER

Melvina K. “Cookie” Brantner-Drexler, 71, Altoona, passed away Wednesday evening at her residence, surrounded by her family.

She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late Melvin L. and Elizabeth (Mulhern) Rinker. She was twice married: First to Merle E. Brantner on Feb. 2, 1963, in Altoona, and he preceded her in death on Dec. 11, 1971. She then married George M. Drexler on Sept. 15, 1990 in Altoona.

Surviving are her husband; two daughters: Robin (Joe) Merritt of Altoona, and Carol Brantner of South Fork; two sons: Jeffrey (Judy) Brantner of Altoona, and Merle (Christine) Brantner of Marietta, Ga.; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; four sisters: Marilyn June Shell of Winchester, Va., Lettie McDonald of Berryville, Va., Betsy Fewell of Cross Junction, Va., and Kathleen Foltz of Paw-Paw, W.Va.; a brother, Thomas of Warrenton, Va.; and numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws.

She was preceded in death by a son, Leslie Brantner; three sisters: Sue Edmiston, Carol Ebersole and Debra Lang; and two brothers: Joseph and Stanley Rinker.

Cookie enjoyed Bingo and computer games.  Her lifelong dream was to go to “Grand Ole Opry,” and she did go there in June 2016. She was a member of Bavarian Aid Society.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 12, 2017, at Stanley J. Krish Funeral Home Inc., 1204 17th St., Altoona, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 13, 2017, Pastors Mark Mahan and Mark Rhodes officiating. Interment will be at Alto-Reste Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be sent to Home Nursing Agency Hospice, 201 Chestnut Ave., P.O. Box 352, Altoona, PA 16603-0352.