Julie A. Hartenbach

Julie A. (Hartranft) Hartenbach, 70, of Berwick, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family Saturday, March 21, 2026 at her home. Born in Ephrata on May 28, 1955, she was a daughter of Erma J. (Wiest) Smith and the late Ernest R. Hartranft.

Julie was a graduate of Ephrata High School, Class of 1973, and continued her education at Mansfield State College where she graduated with honors and obtained her degree in Home Economics Education. On May 28, 1977, she wed the love of her life, Rev. Ralph B. Hartenbach, with whom she would raise her family and share the next 48 years. She faithfully served alongside her husband in churches in the Ulysses, Catawissa, Buckhorn, Bloomsburg, and Berwick areas. Julie loved music and sang in the choir of every church in which they served, often leading worship with Ralph as he played guitar. She was thoroughly engaged in many areas of ministry in the church. A lifelong Methodist, Julie was most recently a member of Bethany Church of Berwick. She was a loving wife and devoted mother who always put her family first. Many will remember her as Mrs. Hartenbach who taught Family and Consumer Science at Berwick Area School District for 22 years, until her retirement in 2019. In her free time, she enjoyed sewing and quilting, as well as cooking, baking, and gardening. She loved vacationing at the ocean shore and treasured special memories from trips to the Holy Land and Germany. Julie’s greatest joy, however, was her beloved family, by whom she will be deeply missed.

In addition to her mother, Julie is survived by her husband, Ralph Hartenbach; children: Krista Hartenbach of Jinja, Uganda and Nathan Hartenbach and wife, Julie, of Springfield, VA; grandsons: Benjamin and Elijah Hartenbach; sisters: Connie Procopio and Sherrie Basehore; sister-in-law, Karen Stroup and husband, Carl; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and grand-nephews.

All are welcome to join Julie’s family for her memorial service at 11 AM Friday, March 27, 2026 at Bethany Church of Berwick, 116 Summerhill Avenue, Berwick, PA 18603. Her pastor, Rev. John W. Leek will officiate. Friends will be received on Thursday, March 26 from 5-7 PM and on Friday, March 27 from 10 AM until the service begins at 11 AM, all at Bethany Church of Berwick. Interment at Hillside Cemetery in Catawissa will follow. Memorial contributions in Julie’s name may be made to Bethany Church of Berwick or Mutima Ministries. The Kelchner, McMichael & Readler Funeral Home, Inc., of Berwick, is honored to serve the Hartenbach family. Online messages of comfort and support may be left at www.kelchnerfuneralhome.com.