Ada Mae Kuhn

Ada Mae Kuhn, 106, formerly of Lewistown, passed away on Friday, January 23, 2026, in Virginia, with her daughter by her side.

Born October 20, 1919, on her family farm in Mechanicsburg, she was the daughter of the late George W. and Mary (Shue) Hosler.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde W. Kuhn, with whom she shared 61 loving years; as well as five brothers and two sisters.

She is survived by her three children: Keith R. Kuhn, of Lewistown; Rhonda R. Kuhn, of Bedford, VA; and David L. Kuhn, of Lewistown; one grandson, David D. Kuhn; and a sister, Marlene Billman, of Carlisle.

Ada was a proud graduate of Mechanicsburg High School, where she especially enjoyed her time in the color guard with the school band.

In 1943, Ada joined the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), serving in the motor pool as a driver, transporting injured soldiers from Virginia ports to hospitals. She was later deployed to Paris, Frankfurt, and Berlin as part of SHAEF, where she served as a teletypist. After returning from Europe, she met and married Clyde Kuhn in 1946—he was the coach of her softball team. The couple moved to Lewistown, and in 1949 Ada graduated from beauty school. Although she discovered hairstyling wasn’t her passion, she found joy in waitressing at the Elks Club in Lewistown and Honey Creek in Reedsville. She later retired from Empire Kosher, where she was proud to serve as a union representative, traveling throughout Pennsylvania for meetings.

Ada remained deeply proud of her military service throughout her life. At age 101, she participated in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., and her photograph is displayed at the Military Women’s Memorial. At age 105, she was an honored passenger on the Gary Sinise Soaring Valor Flight to New Orleans. She was the oldest participant on both flights. She also cherished being part of many commemorations at the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA.

She was a lifelong member of Grace United Methodist Church, Bedford Lutheran Church in Bedford, the VFW in Mifflintown, and the Women of the Moose Auxiliary. She also enjoyed the fellowship of the Ladies Pinochle Club.

Ada was an avid swimmer, completing multiple laps in the pool well into her 102nd year. She loved crocheting—creating bedspreads, lap robes, blankets, and doilies—and she took great joy in caring for her many rescue cats and tending to her roses.

Her guiding motto was, “Always stay active no matter how you feel.”

A viewing will be held from 12 to 1 p.m. on Monday, February 9, 2026, at Heller-Hoenstine Funeral Home, Woodlawn, 200 N. Main St., Lewistown. A funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., with Rev. Stephanie Rupert officiating.

Interment will take place at Juniata Memorial Park, where military honors will be rendered.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ada’s memory to West Granville Twp. Fire Company, Ladies Auxillary or Grace United Methodist Church, Lewistown.

Online condolences may be offered at www.hellerhoenstinefuneralhome.com.

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