Sondra B. King

Sondra B. King, 84, of College Hill, Beaver Falls, PA, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2022. She was born Sondra Ruth Burgert, on May 16, 1938, in Franklin, PA, to the late Clifford J. Burgert and Cecil V. Jones Burgert.

She was a 1955 graduate of Franklin High School (just as she was turning seventeen), finishing fourth in her class. She was a talented pianist from her early school years into adult life. Sondra began working in the corporate offices in the oil industry in Franklin immediately upon graduation. Sondra maintained close ties to Franklin for her entire life, after marrying and moving to Beaver Falls. Many in Franklin and in her family knew her as "Booge", a nickname given by her father, which stuck for her entire life.

Sondra resided in Beaver Falls for more than 63 years. She first worked for Armstrong Cork in Beaver Falls before raising a family, and worked in the Beaver Falls Schools during that time. She then began a career in insurance, working for George Brown Insurance in Chippewa, American Security Insurance in Mars, and Baumgard and Reed Insurance in New Brighton, and she was a licensed insurance agent. In later years, she worked for the City of Beaver Falls municipal offices. Sondra enjoyed working, and kept a full-time job past her 80th birthday.

Sondra was active in the community throughout her life. She was a member of the Beaver Falls City Planning Commission and served its as chairman; she was a member of the Beaver Falls Recreation Board; she served as President of the Beaver Falls School District Authority (related to the construction of the high school); she was the commissioner of the Beaver Falls girls' softball league; and she was involved with playground/parks committees, the Mayor's Advisory Council, and many other informal groups in the City. She was very active in youth sports organizations while raising her children, the Cub Scouts, and served as president of her PTA.

Throughout her life, Sondra most enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She was an avid card player, whether at family gatherings or in her card clubs. An annual trip to the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia was her favorite vacation, with multiple generations of family for more than 50 years. Sondra was devoted to her family and community, and always put the needs of others first. Sondra often took up the cause of the underdog in many situations, making sure that everyone had a fair shot. She was willing to fight the good fight. She was a very good woman.
In addition to her parents, Sondra was also preceded in death by her husband Plummer A. King (2010) and her siblings and their spouses, Barbara B. Slaughenhaupt (Guy), Richard A. Burgert (Annette), and Jolene A. Kresge (Wilbur).

She is survived by her four sons and their wives, Douglas A. King (Loretta) of Stafford, VA, Christopher J. King of Pittsburgh, Curtis J. King (Liliana) of Honolulu, HI, and David P. King (Shannon) of Beaver Falls; five grandchildren, Gregory A. King, Catherine M. King, Paul J. King, Marcos J. King, and Veronica L. King. Sondra is also survived (as well as preceded in death) by many nieces and nephews in the Burgert and King families, all of whom were important to her; and her loyal cat of more than 15 years, Dan.

There will be a visitation to celebrate Sondra's life on Tuesday, December 27, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the HILL & KUNSELMAN FUNERAL HOME, www.hillandkunselman.com, 3801 Fourth Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, December 28, at 11 a.m. (with additional viewing and visitation starting at 10 a.m.).