Erla J. Houck, 72, of Mount Joy and formerly of Columbia, was received into the arms of The Lord after a brief illness at Hershey Medical Center on Friday, December 11, 2015, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Lancaster to the late Earl F. Flick, who was killed in WWII when she was 2, and raised by her mother Jean (Mooney) Flick Long and the late William H. Long. She shared 52 years of marriage with Barrie E. Houck.

A 1961 graduate of Columbia High School, Erla worked for the former Acme in Columbia and then at Wilton Armetale in Mount Joy.

A devout Christian, Erla was a shining star for The Lord and her family. She was an active lifelong member of Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, Columbia, where she played the organ, sang in the choir, was a Sunday School teacher and Vacation Bible School director, youth group leader, board member, missions leader and served with the Kids Club of Columbia.

She loved spending time with her family, ladies card club and watching old TV shows and classic movies, and was an avid reader.

Erla waits in Heaven for her mother Jean, husband Barrie, daughter, Deborah J., wife of Norman T. Mable of Lancaster, and their sons, Travis W. Mable, husband of Melanie (Barr) of Savannah, GA, and Derek S. Mable of Lancaster, and their son Robert B. Houck, husband of Susan L. (Schaffer), and their daughter Erica L. Houck and son Gregory R. Houck, all of Wrightsville. Erla also waits for her brothers, Rev. William H. Long, II, husband of Cheryl (Moyle) of Lebanon, and James R. Long, husband of Mary (Markel) of Mountville, her mother-in-law Mabel (Hammer) Houck of Columbia and several nieces and nephews.

Erla's family thanks the staff of Lancaster General Hospital and Hershey Medical Center for the care and comfort given to her.

The celebration of Erla's life will take place 3 pm Saturday, December 19, 2015, with Pastor Don Wert officiating, at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. Erla's family will greet friends immediately following the celebration. Interment will be private. Please omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace E. C. Church, 36 N. Eighth St., Columbia, PA 17512.