Karen M. Autman, 72
HARTLY - Karen M. Autman died Thursday, June 3, 2021, at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mrs. Autman was born in Pittsburgh, Pa. on November 12, 1948, to the late Robert and Clorisse Sayenga Mellish. She was raised in Chicora, Pa. and graduated from Shenley High School and then Geneva College where she received her BA in Education. She later completed her Master's in Education at Delaware State University. She started teaching in the Capitol School District and soon found a home at Hartly Elementary School where she taught for 38 years, retiring in 2009.
Mrs. Autman attended and was active at Whatcoat United Methodist Church in Camden and more recently was attending the United Methodist Church in Kenton, Del. She was a skilled seamstress, enjoyed crocheting, and watching movies especially Sci-Fi movies.
In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband, G. Francis "Fran" Autman in 2003; and her sister, Roberta Haefele.
She is survived by her daughters, Sabra A. Horvat (Jeffery R.) of Grove City, Ohio, Dawn M. Autman of Hartly, Del., and Lisa A. Dolph (Durrell N.) of Dover, Del.; her brothers, Dennis Mellish of Landsdale, Pa. and Gerald Mellish (Cheryl) of Pinellas Park, Fla. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Mackenzi Semans, Elizabeth Hill, Madison Semans, Nicolas Dolph, Nicole Rallo, Shannon Morgan, Samantha Horvat, and Candace Barone.
Memorial services will be held 2 p.m., Friday, June 11, 2021, at the Torbert Funeral Chapel, 1145 E. Lebanon Rd., Dover, DE 19901 where a visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time.
In lieu of flowers the family suggest that memorial contributions be made in Karen Autman's name to Hartly Elementary School Library, Hartly, DE 19953.
Letters of condolence may be sent and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com