Janet "Polly" (Barnes) Settle - Heller

Janet “Polly” (Barnes) Settle-Heller, 91, closed her eyes last on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at the home of her loving daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and David Miserendino.  She was the loving and loyal wife of Marshall Heller who passed away on December 10, 2005.

Born December 14, 1932, in Hanover, she was raised within the realm of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church.  She was the daughter of Carroll M. and Hilda Markle Barnes, both deceased.

Janet graduated from the Eichelberger High School and the Harrisburg Polyclinic School of Nursing, where she received her nurse’s degree and license.  She did public and private duty nursing in the Adams County area for 20 years.  She and her husband had an antique business known as Janet’s Antiques for several years. She managed a gift shop at the  Sheraton Inn, south of Gettysburg, for 15 years.  For several years she prepared taxes for the IRS.  She worked at the Gettysburg Middle School cafeteria for several years.  Her last position was with the New Oxford and Conewago Valley School District as a school Nurse, where she was released from duties to take care of her ailing husband.

Janet was a faithful member of St. James Lutheran Church in Hanover for 68 years.  From 1952, where she taught Sunday School in the Lower Junior Department for 10 years.  She was Regent of the Manor of the Maske Chapter for the National Society of Daughters of the American Colonists for 9 years.  She also held various other offices in the organization.  She was a current member of the Digges Choice Chapter and was also an applicant for the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the Union Veterans, Grand Army of the Republic, and was a member of both chapters for 23 years.  She was a member of the  Biglerville American Legion Auxiliary #262 and the York County and Adams County Historical Societies; and a member of the LHPOA for 34 years.

After she retired, she volunteered for Meals on Wheels and the Adams County Heart Association and helped serve at the Gettysburg Soup Kitchen.  She also transported Senior Citizens with vision problems to hospitals and for doctors appointments until her own health failed.

Polly also loved and cared for many animals during her lifetime, and always said since God gave them to us for our enjoyment, it was our duty to take care of them since they were God’s creatures.  She loved History and had shelves full of History and political books.  She loved this country and was extremely patriotic.  Always proud of her heritage, she could trace her ancestry back to 1623, and she was always eager to share her genealogy information with other family members.  At family gatherings she conducted question and answer games to remind the family where their roots were.  She always said her happiest times were spent with her family and their birthdays and holidays.  She and her husband and daughter Pam enjoyed searching for antiques and were well known on the auction circuit.

Polly is survived by three children: Lisa Gray, Gettysburg; Paul Settle & wife Jayne; and Pamela & David Miserendino, of Hanover.  She was close to several loving nieces.  She had 3 stepchildren, Lauri Heller and Blake T. Heller, of Littlestown, and Heather Carbaugh of Gettysburg.

Polly had four Beloved Godchildren; Kyle, Ryan, Leah and Erin Bentz, all children of William and Kim Bentz of Frederick, Maryland.

Besides her husband and parents, Mrs. Heller was preceded in death by five sisters; Margaret Barnes Unger, Miriam Barnes O’Leary, Ethel Mae Barnes, Hilda Grace Barnes, and Frances Barnes Hostetter.

A viewing will be held from 10-11AM, Friday, November 8, 2024, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 30 West Chestnut Street, Hanover, PA, followed by a funeral service  at 11AM, with her pastor the Rev. Faye Snyder officiating.  Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, PA. 

Memorials may be sent to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 30 W. Chestnut Street, Hanover, PA 17331, or to the Adams County SPCA, 11 Goldenville Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325.

The Kenworthy Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 269 Frederick Street, Hanover, PA, is in charge of arrangements.  Memories and condolences may be shared at www.kenworthyfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Janet "Polly" (Barnes) Settle - Heller, please visit our floral store.