Paulene M. Orner

Paulene M. Orner, formerly of Bechtelsville, PA passed away peacefully on July 11, 2026, at The Village of LifeQuest in Quakertown, where she had been a resident.

Polly, as she was known to most, grew up in Kulpsville, PA and graduated from Souderton Area High School. After high school, she was employed by Bell Telephone Company as a switchboard operator and trainer. While at the telephone company, her co-worker Betty introduced Polly to her brother, Charles (Charlie) Orner. In 1958, not long after they met, Polly, daughter of John P. Overholtzer and Helene Faul, married Charlie and began their 67 years of marriage until his passing in 2025. During those early years, her focus was on raising her children, but she also worked hard on different shifts at several part-time jobs to help support their family. Despite the demands of work and homemaker, she still found time to be an elementary school room mother and girl scout troop leader.

When her children were old enough, Polly returned to the full-time work force. Her attention to detail helped her find work and excel in the offices of W.T. Grant in Souderton, Keller's Creamery and Harleysville Insurance, both in Harleysville. In 1984, she ended her work career when Charlie was transferred to Virginia.

After returning home to PA in 1988, Polly and Charlie made their home in Barto where she once again turned her focus toward their beautiful home and as the years went on, all the grandchildren. These were the loves of her life. Nothing brought more joy for her than seeing her family together. But it was not their only family. Polly and Charlie joined Christ Lutheran Church of Niantic where she remained a member until her passing.

When not in PA, Polly and Charlie would visit their daughter and her family in Wyoming or the Outer Banks with her brother, sister-in-law, family and friends. But her true "happy place" was the small home they purchased in Naples, Florida. Each winter she and Charlie would pack their summer clothes and head south until early May. She enjoyed the warm weather, socializing with her Florida friends and reading books while sitting in her lanai. In addition to reading, one of her favorite pastimes was jigsaw puzzles. It seemed there was always a puzzle sitting out or in a box ready to be assembled.

Because of her meticulous nature, she was well-suited for one of her passions/hobbies - ceramics. Her work was pristine and in demand. She owned a couple kilns and soon began teaching friends how to clean, dry and paint. Much of her work is still in the homes of family and friends and make their appearance during the appropriate holidays. If there was a party or reception, she knew how to make the most of it. She loved to dance with Charlie but beware if someone played Mummer's Strut or Chicken Dance. Another passion was her love for cooking and entertaining. Regardless of where she made her home, it became the center for gatherings and parties. If not actually cooking, she collected and organized recipes for that one day when she could bring them to life on her table.

Polly is survived by her son Ken (Patti O'Brien), daughters Sherry (Bob Poinsett), Bonnie (Dan Croll) and Kimberly, ten grandchildren - Savannah, Danny, Bobby, Andrew, Kyle, Katie, Courtney, Summer, Alicia, and Nikki and great-grandchildren Lexie, Kaladin, Lily and Alexander and sister-in-law Georgia Overholtzer. In addition, she leaves behind several cousins and some very special friends, all of whom she was very proud. In addition, Polly was predeceased by her husband Charlie and her brother John Overholtzer.

Arrangements and a private service are entrusted to Mann-Slonaker Funeral Home, East Greenville. You may leave your condolences online by visiting www.mannslonakerfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to one of your favorite charities.