As a long-standing public servant in her community, Joan Rehrig was the standard-bearer by which others will be measured.

Rehrig, 77, of Walnutport, died Thursday at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.

Up until her passing, Rehrig was a sitting member on Walnutport Borough Council.

The borough posted the following statement Thursday afternoon upon learning of Rehrig’s passing.

“It is with great sadness that we have to post this … Joan Rehrig, a longtime councilwoman for the borough of Walnutport, has passed away this morning.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time.”

Borough grant coordinator Michael Wentz said he’s known Rehrig for as long as he can remember.

“I knew her since I was a young child, because she was friends with my aunt and my mother,” Wentz said. “She was still active up to the day; she still came to meetings, she still went to work.”

Wentz said Rehrig served on council for about 30 years, and touted her commitment to her community.

“She was always, always, always heavily involved with things in the community; she took care of a lot of stuff,” he said. “Not only did she work and take care of her family, but she was involved very heavily in the community.”

Wentz said Rehrig’s loss will be felt by many.

“She was a great lady, and she’s going to be sorely missed like you wouldn’t believe,” he said.

Council President William Turk said he also had fond memories of Rehrig.

“Joan was a good person,” Turk said. “Of late, she had some problems as far as illness is concerned.”

Turk said Rehrig was instrumental in the borough’s recreation program.

“She was always involved with the (recreation) program as far as representing them as far as doing things on council; she was doing that for years,” he said. “She helped us a lot as far as what’s going on with the playground.”

Turk said Rehrig will be sorely missed.

“We’re going to be missing her,” he said. “She’s going to be missed on council.”

Turk said council will eventually advertise to fill Rehrig’s seat, though the earliest a new person can be appointed is February.

Council next meets at 7 p.m. Monday for its reorganization.

Rehrig was the wife of the late Emmett W. Rehrig Jr., who died in 2001.

In addition to serving on council, she worked for many years at Paris Neckware in Walnutport. Most recently, she worked part time for McDonald’s in Walnutport.

Rehrig was an active member of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, Emerald; a member of the Walnutport Fire Police; volunteered at the Bowmanstown Park Church Camp; and was a former Cub Scout leader.

Her obituary appears on Page 4.