Doris G. Hafer

Heaven welcomed its faithful servant, Doris G. Hafer, 96, on December 12, 2025. Greeting her were her husband, David, and daughter, Carol. A long-time resident of Wilawana Rd. in Sayre, PA, Doris most recently resided on Talmadge Hill Rd. in Waverly, NY.

Born February 9, 1929, in Larryville, PA (Lycoming County) to Thomas and Annabelle Stewart Gibson, Doris was the middle of seven children. In her youth and early adulthood, Doris was a member of Larryville United Methodist Church. She also attended and graduated from Jersey Shore Schools, often walking several miles for her education.

On June 5, 1954, Doris married the love of her life, David C. Hafer. Together they shared 66 years of marriage before Dave’s passing in 2021.

A homemaker most of her life, Doris treasured her family. Well-known for her hospitality, Doris always had her door open for friends or strangers. During the Agnes flood of 1972, her home became a haven for many displaced area residents. Her famous Texas Sheet Cake and homemade apple butter delighted many appetites. A talented seamstress, Doris was employed in her earlier years at many sewing factories and often came to the aid of local families in need of a seamstress.

An active member of Wilawana United Methodist Church, she was a former Sunday School/ Bible School Teacher and member of the United Methodist Women’s Group. She was one of the founding members of the Athens Township Volunteer Fire Company Women’s Auxiliary. Doris and Dave enjoyed memberships in the Penny Promenaders and the Round Top Camping Club. Alongside her husband, Doris played an instrumental role in the Ingersoll-Rand Junior Rifle Club and Valley Youth Hunter Education Corps (YHEC) programs.

In addition to her parents, husband David Hafer, and daughter Carol Hafer Amark, Doris was preceded in death by her son-in-law Terry Mack. The last surviving member of the Gibson siblings, Doris was predeceased by her brothers Larue, Carl, and Mahlon Gibson and sisters Mary Myers, Anne Fisher, and Edna Mae Bower, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Left to grieve her absence are a son Duane (Laurie) and daughter Lucinda Mack. Also mourning her loss are her 4 granddaughters: Mallory Hafer Sample (Brent), Morgan Hafer Lucente (John), Meredith Hater-Sears (Matthew), and Mackenzie Hafer (Ryan Shaw). Two great-grandchildren, Rhett and Delilah Sample, with a third great-grandchild on the way, will also dearly miss her. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews and her sister-in-law Mary Hafer.

A Time of Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 20, from Noon to 1pm at Lowery-Urban Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 225 S. Main St., Athens, PA. A Service honoring her life will follow with Rev. Anne Canfield officiating.

Burial will be at the convenience of the family at Hanlon Hill Cemetery.

Donations in her memory may be entrusted to Wilawana Methodist Church, 1182 Wilawana Rd., Sayre, PA 18840.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Doris G. Hafer, please visit our floral store.