An employee of West Penn Township was killed Wednesday afternoon while cutting grass.

Tina Hoppes, 54, of New Ringgold, was cutting grass along a stream near the township community park on Zions Stone Church Road.

A passing resident found Hoppes' body and the tractor submerged in the small stream that ran through the West Penn community park.

It appeared while she was mowing the grass on the edge of the steam the ground gave way causing, causing Hoppes and the tractor to fall into the steam, according to West Penn Township Police.

The riding lawn mower rolled down the bank, pinning her under the water.

Hoppes was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:40 p.m. by deputy coroner David Truskowsky.

The incident is still under investigation.

She was the wife of the late Darren S. Hoppes, whom she was married for 29 years upon his death on Oct. 2, 2015.

She was a longtime employee of West Penn Township, having great pride in maintaining the pristineness of the township community park.

Hoppes was also a social member of the West Penn Township Fire Co. #1 and a 1980 graduate of Tamaqua High School. She cherished the time spent with her family and friends and her greatest accomplishment was being a homemaker and a grandmother, according to her obituary.

A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Monday, July 18, at the Hartman Funeral Home, 1791 West Penn Pike, Route. 309 New Ringgold, with the Rev. Ken Melber officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 5-7pm and on Monday from 10-11am. Interment to follow in the church cemetery.

Contributions may be sent to the funeral home for her grandson Keith, for his education. Hartman Funeral Home, 1791 West Penn Pike, Route 309 New Ringgold, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Online registry and condolences may be signed at www.hartmanfuneralhomeinc.