Katherine Hirschbuhl

Katherine Hirschbuhl, 76, died Sept. 29, 2012.

Born Feb. 21, 1936 in Homer City, Pennsylvania to John and Mary Ann Kalafus, she was the eldest of four children. After graduating from high school at age 17, Kathy joined the Women's Army Corps and served her country in Europe and at Walter Reed Hospital where she gave comfort and care to wounded veterans. She was selected to represent our country as Miss Armed Forces, and she was the face of the "Join the WACS" campaign in the late 1950's. Kathy was awarded the "Good Conduct" medal and the "National Defense Service" medal before completing her service with an honorable discharge.

Upon leaving the Armed Forces, she utilized the GI Bill and immediately enrolled at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She joined the Delta Zeta sorority and was elected to Carnival Queen by the Greek fraternities. Kathy was an exceptional student and graduated with a B.S. in Secondary Education/English. While at Temple University, she met and married classmate John J. Hirschbuhl.

After John received his Ph.D. from Penn State University, he, Kathy and their daughter, Jackie, moved to Akron, Ohio. Kathy fully supported her husband in founding the Computer Based Education program at The University of Akron, and she and John were very active in university life for more than 30 years. Kathy received two Masters Degrees from The University of Akron and enjoyed a long career in Education in Northeast Ohio as both a teacher and administrator. Kathy was awarded The National Reading Association Teacher of the Year by the U.S. Secretary of Education in 1980 for her tireless efforts to help struggling middle school readers achieve their full potential. Kathy eventually left Education to work in corporate training for Standard Oil. In 1983, she founded Computer Knowledge International (CKI) and served as CEO from 1983 to 2006. Despite her busy career life, Katherine always put her family first and was a devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law and grandmother who supported her family in every way. Over the years, she was active in Fairlawn Country Club, Saint Sebastian Catholic Church and enjoyed hiking in Sand Run Park. Most recently, she was enjoying retirement with her husband, John and their family in her Akron and Fort Myers, Florida homes.

Preceded in death by her parents, John and MaryAnn Kalafus and her brother, John Kalafus; she is survived by her husband of 52 years, Dr. John J. Hirschbuhl; her daughter, Jackie Hirschbuhl Miceli; her granddaughter, Meghan Miceli; her son-in-law, Jeffrey B. Miceli; and her brothers, William Kalafus and James Kalafus.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Friday at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 474 Mull Ave. Friends may call 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. Interment at Centre County Memorial Park in State College, Pa.

(Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)