Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Earl M. Gearhart
Earl M. Gearhart, 86, a resident of Providence Place, Chambersburg, and formerly of 6861 Valley Camp Road, St. Thomas, died at 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006 at Manor- Care Health Services, Chambersburg, where he had resided the past two days.
Born June 2, 1920 in Huyetts, Washington County, Md. he was the son of the late Amos James and Grace Vinet (Lefever) Gearhart.
He and his wife Lydia Catherine (Sites) Gearhart were married April 5, 1942.
He retired in 1971 after 23 years of employment at the Letterkenny Army Depot. In his earlier years he was a self employed farmer and had worked at Landis Tool Company, Waynesboro, and the Glen L. Martin Company, Baltimore. Md.
Mr. Gearhart was a lifetime member of the Ebenezer "Guitners" United Brethren Church, Greencastle, where he was a member of the Adult Sunday School Class.
He was a member of the national AARP, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees Chapter 1063, and a charter member of the Williamson Ruritan Club.
Mr. Gearhart enjoyed fishing, hunting and trapping.
He was a U.S. Army Veteran serving in the China, Burma and India Theatre during WW II, receiving the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, the American Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
He was the last of his immediate family.
In addition to his wife of 64 years, he was survived by sons, Monte W. Gearhart of St. Thomas and Ricky E. Gearhart of Clearbrook, Va.; three grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Irvin W. Gearhart and James L. Gearhart; and sister Mary I. Trumpower.
Services were held the afternoon of Tuesday, Oct. 31 in Ebenezer "Guitners" United Brethren Church, Greencastle, with Rev. Richard Mose and Rev. Ronald Milley officiating.
Burial was in Parklawns Memorial Gardens, Chambersburg, with military honors provided by the Chambersburg V.F.W. Post 1599 Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Ebenezer United Brethren Church, 661 Williamson Rd., Greencastle, Pa. 17225.
Arrangements were handled by Harold M. Zimmerman And Son Funeral Home, Greencastle.
J. Harold Kershner
J. Harold Kershner, 90, of 962 Penn Wood Court, Chambersburg, and formerly of Greencastle died unexpectedly at 9:40 a.m. Monday, Oct. 30, 2006 in the emergency room of the Chambersburg Hospital.
Born July 15, 1916 in State Line, Pa. he was the son of the late Joseph E. and Martha B. (Whitmore) Kershner.
Mr. Kershner was a farmer for many years having farmed on Milnor Road near Greencastle until he retired in 1980. He then became a part-time carpenter.
He was a former longtime member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Greencastle, where he was a member of the Men's Bible Class and had served on the church council. In 2000, he became a member of the Menno Haven- Penn Hall Chapel, Chambersburg.
Mr. Kershner served for over 20 years on the local committee for the Agriculture, Stabilization and Conservation Service. He served on the Antrim Township School Board and then on the Greencastle- Antrim School Authority.
Mr. Kershner was a member of the Senior Men's Club of Greencastle and a member of the former Greencastle AARP Chapter. He was an active volunteer within the Penn Hall community.
He and his wife, Olive M. (Mellott) Kershner were married Jan. 20, 1945. She died Dec. 20, 2002.
He is survived by a son, Joseph H. Kershner of York; a sister, Elizabeth P. Shoemaker of Hagerstown, Md.; and a caring friend, Ruth H. Forbes, Penn Hall, Chambersburg.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Carolyn Ruth Kershner; and two sisters, Anna Belle Ommert and Alice M. Easterday.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 3 in Harold M. Zimmerman And Son Funeral Home 45 S. Carlisle St., Greencastle, with Chaplain Robert E. Keener and Pastor Donald M. Bohn officiating.
Burial will be in the Cedar Hill cemetery, Greencastle.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2 in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Penn Hall Benevolent Fund 1425 Philadelphia Ave. Chambersburg, Pa. 17201.
Nelson M. Hostetter
Nelson M. Hostetter, 61, of 20449 Lehmans Mill Road, Hagerstown, Md. died at 4:20 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006 in his home.
Wayne S. Gipe
Wayne S. Gipe, 61, of 81 Maribeth Drive, Chambersburg, died at 10:22 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006 in his home.
John R. Kell Sr.
John R. Kell Sr., 66, of 4017 Altenwald Road, Waynesboro, died at 4:26 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 4, 2006 in the Waynesboro Hospital.
Born Dec. 2, 1939 in Shady Grove, he was the son of the late John A. Kell Jr. and Beulah M. (Fox) Kell of Shady Grove.
In his earlier years he was employed at Landis Tool Company of Waynesboro. He was an Assembler and Union Steward at Mack Trucks in Hagerstown from 1962 to 1993. Following his retirement from Mack Trucks in 1993 he owned and operated JS&K Pet Supplies, Chambersburg, until 2005. He was currently employed part time at Quincy Hardware.
He was a 1957 graduate of the Greencastle High School.
Mr. Kell was a member of the Five Forks Brethren In Christ Church, Waynesboro, where he was an usher and helped with the Mississippi Project, a Hurricane Katrina relief project. He was a volunteer at the Biblical Education Center in Shady Grove.
He was a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard and a life member of the National Rifle Association.
Mr. Kell enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his former wife, Thelma I. (Ankerband) Kell of Waynesboro; daughters, Laura A. (wife of Tabb) Justus and Julie A. (wife of Scott) McAllister, both of Waynesboro; son, John R. (husband of Cindy) Kell Jr. of Greencastle; sisters, Doris (wife of Joseph) Addlesberger and E. Faye Stouffer, both of Greencastle; brother, Timothy E. Kell of Greencastle; eight grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews
He was preceded in death by his Father and a sister, Susan M. Gingell who died in March of 2006.
Services were held the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 8 in Five Forks Brethren In Christ Church, Waynesboro, with the Rev. Wilbur Besecker officiating.
Burial was in the Brown's Mill cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Five Forks Brethren In Christ Church, c/o the Mississippi Project, 9244 Five Forks Rd., Waynesboro, Pa. 17268 or to the Biblical Education Center, P.O. Box
77, Shady Grove, Pa. 17256.
Arrangements were handled by the Harold M. Zimmerman & Son Funeral Home, Greencastle.
Aldine J. Eby
Aldine J. Eby, 60 of 12270 Malissa Dr., Greencastle, and formerly of the Cearfoss Pike Hagerstown, Md. died Wednesday morning Nov. 1, 2006 in the Washington County Hospital, Hagerstown.
Born Aug. 8, 1946 in Maugansville, Md. he was the son of Isaac M. Eby of Hagerstown, Md. and the late Eva Lee (Martin) Eby.
Mr. Eby was a farmer and a member of the Reiff Mennonite Church near Cearfoss, Md.
In addition to his Father, he is survived by his wife, Edith L. (Martin) Eby; step-mother, Emma (Burkholder) Eby of Hagerstown; six sons, Dwight Eby of Bedford, Lewin Eby of Williamsport, Md., Gilson Eby of Fairplay, Md., Kenlin Eby of Hagerstown, Roger Eby of Clearville and Wendell Eby of Greencastle; two daughters, Della Martin of Chambersburg and Rosanne Eby, at home; sisters, Loretta Martin of Hagerstown and Bernetta Horst of Clear Spring, Md.; 24 grandchildren
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Rosella Eby.
Services were held the morning of Saturday, Nov. 4 in Reiff Mennonite Church near Cearfoss, Md. with the Reiff Mennonite Church Ministry officiating.
Burial was in the adjoining church cemetery.
The family requests that flowers be omitted.
Arrangements were handled by the Harold M. Zimmerman And Son Funeral Home of Greencastle.
Helen L. Higgins
Helen L. Higgins, 72, of Hagerstown, Md. died unexpectedly Friday evening Nov. 10, 2006 in the emergency room of the Washington County Hospital, Hagerstown.
Ray C. Myers Sr.
Ray C. Myers Sr., 74, of 58 West Dahlgren St., Greencastle, died at 4:15 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 9, 2006 in his home. He had been failing in health since April.
Born Dec. 25, 1931 in Greencastle, he was the son of the late Siebert and Lucy J. (Deck) Myers.
He and his wife, Dorothy V. (Daley) Myers were married Dec. 3, 1955 in Greencastle.
Mr. Myers retired after 43 years employment with the Landis Tool Company, Waynesboro.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Greencastle. He was a life member of the Greencastle Rescue Hose Company 1; a social member of the Harry D. Zeigler V.F.W. Post 6319, Greencastle; and a member of the Greencastle Sportsman Association.
Mr. Myers enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters, Patricia A. Jones of North Richland Hills, Texas, Mary Kauffman of Greencastle, Lucy J. Witmer of Mercersburg and Brenda K. Witmer of Greencastle; son, Ray C. Myers Jr. of Greencastle; sisters, Anna Snoke and Doris Barnhart, both of Greencastle; and Jane Beaver of Waynesboro; brother, Donald Myers of Greencastle; 12 grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Isabelle Cunningham; brothers Robert T. Myers and George Myers; and a granddaughter, Heather Witmer.
Services were held the afternoon of Monday, Nov. 13 in the Harold M. Zimmerman And Son Funeral Home, Greencastle, with Rev. Stacy Crawford officiating.
Burial was in the Cedar Hill cemetery, Greencastle.
Curtis Lee Harnish
Curtis Lee Harnish, 41, of 3015 Anthony Highway, Chambersburg, died at 8:01 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006 as a result of an automobile accident on Duffield Road, Chambersburg.
Ralph N. Rohrbaugh
Ralph N. Rohrbaugh, 95, of 13048 Welty Road, Waynesboro, died at 1:55 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006 in his home.
Lachelle R. Martin
Lachelle R. Martin, 1-day-old infant daughter of Timothy R. and Lavonda K. (Martin) Martin of 20814 Lehmans Mill Road, Hagerstown, Md., died at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006 in the Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Rockville, Md.
She was born in Rockville on Nov. 7, 2006 .
In addition to her parents, she is survived by two sisters, Beverly D. Martin and Cheresa L. Martin, both at home; two brothers, Larrion D. Martin and Lyndell E. Martin, both at home; paternal grandparents, Grant and Retha Martin of Waynesboro; maternal grandparents, Leonard and Esther Mae Martin of Clear Spring, Md.; aunts and uncles.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Kimberly D. Martin, on Oct. 18, 1995.
A graveside funeral service was held the afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 11 in Reiff Mennonite Church cemetery near Cearfoss, Md. with Ministers Enos Rudolph and Wilmer Eby officiating.
The family requests the omission of flowers.
Arrangements were made by the Harold M. Zimmerman And Son Funeral Home, Greencastle.
Amos F. "June" Wetzel Jr.
Amos F. "June" Wetzel Jr., 81, of 13046 Mentzer Gap Road, Waynesboro, died at 5:40 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006, at his home. He had been in failing health for the past three weeks.
Born May 24, 1925 in Friends Creek, he was the son of the late Amos E., Sr. and Mary (Hull) Wetzel. He lived his early life in Emmitsburg, Md.
He served with the U.S. Navy during WWII in the Pacific Theater.
He and his first wife, Betty J. (Martin) Wetzel were married in March, 1947. They moved to his present residence in the late 1950s. She died April 10, 1982. He and his second wife, Agnes E. (Wagaman) Wetzel, were married Dec. 29, 1982 in Hagerstown, Md.
Mr. Wetzel was employed in his younger years by Frick Company and then by Landis Tool Company, both in Waynesboro, where he retired after 35 years as a core maker.
He was a life member of William Max McLaughlin V.F.W. Post 695, Waynesboro and a member of Order of Owls Nest 1073, Waynesboro.
Mr. Wetzel enjoyed working on cars.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters: Katherine V. Wetzel of Waynesboro and Rose M. Miller of Waynesboro; five sons, Donald E. Wetzel of Waynesboro, James T. Wetzel of Smithsburg, Md., Charles J. Wetzel of Greencastle, Terry J. Wetzel of Waynesboro and Bryan R. Wetzel of Waynesboro; eleven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; one step-daughter, Rosie B. Hahn of Emmitsburg, Md.; two step-sons, David L Wetzel of New Windsor, Md., Charles A. Shorb of Littlestown; a brother, Russell "Bud" Wetzel of Mont Alto; three sisters, Betty Martinez of Alvord, Texas, Mary Reed of Waynesboro and Nancy Reed of Mont Alto; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by two sons, Roy F. Wetzel and William E. Wetzel; two step-sons, Barry Shorb and Bernard Wetzel; and two sisters, Doris Leland and Margaret G. Sherman.
Services were held the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 15 in Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro, with Rev. Stacy Crawford officiating.
Burial followed in Jacob's Church cemetery, Liberty Township, Adams County.
Military graveside services will be conducted by the Honor Guard of Charles Nitterhouse V.F.W. Post 1599, Chambersburg.
June Marie (Hatton) Lanser
June Marie (Hatton) Lanser, 74, Fairview Avenue, Waynesboro, died at 1:55 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006, in the emergency room of the Chambersburg Hospital.
Born June 10, 1932, in Cincinnati, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Maude E. and Russell A. Tolle, and the adopted daughter of her late aunt and uncle, Cornie Beeler Hatton and Nathaniel Hatton.
She was a 1950 graduate of Rule Senior High School in Knoxville, Tenn., and worked as a photographic technician at a Knoxville photography studio before her marriage to William V. "Nick" Lanser, at Fort Bragg, N.C. on June 14, 1952.
As an "Army wife" she accompanied her husband to stateside and overseas assignments, living in Germany for six years and in Thailand for two. She and her husband remained in Columbia, S.C., following his retirement from active duty in 1974. They moved to their Fairview Avenue home in Waynesboro in 1987. Nick Lanser died March 15, 1995.
Mrs. Lanser was an excellent cook and known for her "world famous" pies.
She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church.
She is survived by one daughter, Marie Lanser Beck, and husband, J. Edward Beck, of Waynesboro; a son, Stephen Vincent Lanser of Simpsonville, S.C.; two brothers, Paul E. Tolle of Maineville, Ohio and Robert V.. Tolle of Geneva, Fla.; four granddaughters, Jessica Marie Beck and Sarah Elizabeth Beck, both of Waynesboro, Anne-Marie Lanser Bannister and Allison Nicole Lanser Cross, both of Greenville, S.C.; two step-grandchildren, Kris Zaruba of Waynesboro and Jacob Edward Beck IV, of Ellicott City, Md.; two greatgrandchildren, Cameron Lesleigh and Robert Cole Cross, both of Greenville, S.C.; and five step-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Susan Lanser, and one brother, Russell A. Tolle.
Services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 in Christ United Methodist Church, 6 W. Second St., Waynesboro, with Rev. Dr. A. Robert Cook officiating.
Burial will be in Green Hill cemetery, Waynesboro.
The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Lunch Place, Christ United Methodist Church, 6 W. Second St., Waynesboro, PA 17268, or Antietam Humane Society, 8513 Lyons Road, Waynesboro, PA 17268.
Arrangements were handled by Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro.
