ARTHELIA MAE PEYTON, age 89 years, died on Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. in her home in Whiteford, Maryland. She was the wife of the late Albert Peyton.

Born on June 4, 1922 in New Park, Pennsylvania, she was a daughter of the late John R. VanHart and Hattie Elizabeth (Taylor) VanHart.

Mrs. Peyton was the Pennsylvania State Spelling Bee Champion in the 8th grade. She graduated from Fawn Township High School as Salutatorian in 1940 and attended Maryland General School of Nursing from 1941-1943. She returned to her home town of Delta where she was a visiting nurse for several Delta residents before becoming a dental assistant for W.E. Thompson, DDS of Delta for 17 years. She began working for Dr. Thompson on Saturdays in 1949 and increased her hours so she could travel with him to local area schools to provide dental care for children. Mrs. Peyton became his full time assistant in 1956.

After earning her Certified Dental Assistant License, she worked at the Kirk Army Hospital Dental Clinic from 1966 to 1972. She retired on disability and was one of the first open heart surgery patients to receive two mechanical heart valves at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Her surgeon, Louis Plazak continued to remain in touch with her, and earlier this year they shared a reunion. She was the oldest living female with mechanical heart valves in the United States. Later in her life, she worked part time for Dr. John Dooley and Dr. Herbert Martello in their offices.

Mrs. Peyton was a lifetime resident of the community and a member of Fawn United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Peyton was a lover of laughter, always smiling. She was an avid reader and teacher of health and nutritional subjects. She was a very pleasant person and was loved by all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by:

Two daughters:

Carmen Peyton and Marlene Class

One granddaughter, Messina Enderlein

Two great grandchildren:

Brad Enderlein and Mackenzie Enderlein

Two sisters:

Gladys Hutton and Nelda Griffith

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Fawn United Methodist Church, 67 South Market Street, Fawn Grove, PA 17321.

Obituary written by her family.