Selinsgrove resident Darlene Attig remembered for family and community

Darlene K. Attig, 80, a lifelong presence in Selinsgrove, died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg. Born Aug. 28, 1945, in Lewisburg, she was the daughter of the late Ray O. and Theda J. (Kerstetter) Dreese and the wife of Dennis L. Attig.

Attig was an active member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Selinsgrove and a familiar face around town. She enjoyed reading, playing games on her Kindle, dining out at local spots such as the Hotel Middleburger, Country Creamery, Amato's, and Arby's, and she treasured time with family and her cat Mellow. Her life centered on intergenerational ties that knit many Union County households together.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Dennis; her sister, Beverly Brown; and her niece Angela Hoot, described as a daughter to her. Attig also leaves behind Angela's daughters Casara (Daniel) Lichtenwalner and Quinn (Adam) Kranzel, as well as a younger generation identified in family listings as Wyatt and Lucas Beaver, Evan Lichtenwalner, and Henley and Tucker Kranzel. She embraced her husband’s family as well, surviving relatives include Diane (Lee) Shamory; David (Leslie) Attig; and nieces and nephews Craig (Roselle) Shamory, Todd (Stephanie) Shamory, Brett (Diane) Shamory, Jeffrey (Ryan) Attig, and Kayla Attig (Kate), along with many dearly loved great-great-nieces and nephews. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date at the discretion of the family.

Beyond the personal loss felt by relatives and friends, Attig’s passing underscores broader community concerns about aging and care in Union County. Her death at a regional hospital highlights the role WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital and other local health providers play in serving older residents. For many families here, informal caregiving, church communities, and small businesses form a social safety net that complements clinical care. As the county’s population ages, caregivers and health systems will face growing demand for accessible services, dementia and chronic disease support, transportation, and social connection programs that keep longtime residents engaged in community life.

For neighbors who remember Attig at the Country Creamery counter or at church events, her life is a reminder of the value of small daily routines and shared spaces. The planned celebration of life will give family and community members an opportunity to honor those routines and the networks of support that sustain them. As Union County families reckon with loss and plan for the care of elders among them, Attig’s life points to both the strengths of local bonds and the challenges ahead for equitable, community-centered elder care.