Juanita G. Place (Shirk), 87, of Bechtelsville, PA, passed away on January 25th, 2025, surrounded by her children in Pottstown, PA. She was the wife of the late Daniel F. Place, with whom she shared 61 years of marriage. Born in Lewisburg, PA, on February 12th, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Samuel S. and Violet K. (Gemberling) Shirk.

Juanita grew up in Milton, PA, graduating from Milton Area Joint Senior High School in the class of 1955.  In her youth, when friends and family called her "Teedy," she found her passion for all things music.  She prepared for her future career in music education by attending West Chester University and obtaining a Bachelors of Science in Music Education in 1959.

While living in West Chester, Juanita accepted work as a choral director of a local church.  She needed transportation to and from school, and the church volunteered her husband-to-be, Daniel, for the job.  After a two-year courtship, Juanita and Daniel were married in August of 1959.  From graduating college through retirement, Juanita taught Music Education for Phoenixville School District, she held the title of Director of Music/Music Supervisor for multiple area churches, judged music/singing competitions, provided private voice and piano lessons, and professionally played the clarinet, all while raising her three children with Daniel. Several years prior to retirement, Juanita went on and attained her Masters Degree in Music Education. Daniel and Juanita retired in 1996 and moved to Littleton, NC, to pursue their passion of fishing, specifically hooking largemouth bass, on Lake Gaston.

Jaunita is lovingly remembered by her children, Judith Bransfield, Brian Place, and Keith Place, husband of Karen; her grandchildren, Steven Bransfield, Kyle (& Jacqueline) Place, Kain (& Silvia) Place-Hildesheim, and Kendall (& Harrison Hwu) Place; and her great-grandchildren, Madeline, George, Caroline, and Seline Place. In addition to her parents, Juanita is predeceased by her sibling, Lawrence "Larry" Shirk.

A memorial service is scheduled for February 23, 2025 at the Community Room in Spring Valley Village, 5 Eagles Watch N, Bechtelsville, PA 19505 from 1 to 5 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Juanita's memory to Save The Music Foundation. https://www.savethemusic.org/ 1515 Broadway, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10036-8901.

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