Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
William H. Van Zile
William H. Van Zile, 81, of 1786 McDowell Road, Greencastle, died at 10:19 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007 in Homewood of Williamsport, Williamsport, Md.
Born Dec. 19, 1925 in Elkhart, Ind., he was the son of the late Ernest William and Evelyn (Rader) Van Zile. He spent his early life in Indiana.
Mr. Van Zile attended school in Elkhart.
He served in the United States Navy during World War II.
He and his wife, the late Mrs. Doris L. (Ebersole) Van Zile, were married Nov. 29, 1948 in Baltimore, Md. They lived both in Rockville, Md. and at the McDowell Road residence for over 50 years. She died March 14, 2000. He entered the nursing home August 14, 2007.
Mr. Van Zile owned and operated "Furniture Refinishing" in Rockville for 30 years.
He was an avid fly fisherman.
He is survived by three daughters, Barbara Payne of Texas, Jacqueline Gary of Rockville and Jean Lease of Hagerstown, Md.; one son, William "Willy" Van Zile of Rockville; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Wanetta Hastings of Elkhart and Betty Gilbert of Warsaw, Ind.; one brother, Richard R. Van Zile of Bryan, Ohio; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Services were held at noon Sunday, Aug. 26 in Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro.
Burial followed in Green Hill cemetery, Waynesboro, with military graveside honors conducted by the Honor Guard of Charles Nitterhouse VFW Post 1599, Chambersburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Washington County, 747 Northern Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21742.
Rollo Palmer Mowen
Rollo Palmer Mowen, 93, of 385 Reid Road (P.O. Box 113), State Line, Pa., died unexpectedly at 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007 in the emergency room of the Washington County Hospital, Hagerstown, Md.
Born March 19, 1914 in Antrim Township, he was the son of the late Harry C. and Orpha (Johnston) Mowen.
He and his wife, Anna Rebecca (Shank) Mowen were married July 27, 1935 near Huyetts, Md.
Mr. Mowen was a member of the State Line United Methodist Church where he helped in the construction of the church building. More recently, he attended the Calvary Bible Church of Greencastle.
He was a charter member of the State Line Ruritan Club and a life member of the Greencastle Sportsman Association.
Mr. Mowen retired after 36 years of employment in 1976 from the former Fairchild Aircraft of Hagerstown, Md., where he was an engine mechanic.
He served as an air raid warden in State Line during World War II.
In addition to his wife of 72 years, he is survived by a son, Tom R. (husband of Barbara) Mowen of Greencastle, three brothers, Eldon Mowen of Newville, L. Aubrey Mowen, a resident of the Quincy United Methodist Home, Quincy, and Everett Mowen of Hagerstown, Md.; a grandson, Jason Mowen of Greencastle, a granddaughter, Sabrina Mowen of Greencastle; and a numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Judith Diane Mowen; eight brothers, Harold Mowen, Harry Mowen, Emory S. Mowen, Gerald Mowen, Carl Mowen, Galen Mowen, George Mowen and Marvin Mowen; and four sisters, Doris Mowen, Virginia Zeigler, Evelyn Overcash and Betty Jane Brechbiel.
Services were held the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 4 in the Harold M. Zimmerman And Son Funeral Home, Greencastle, with Revs. Glen A. Miller and Guy W. Camp officiating.
Burial was in the Cedar Hill cemetery, Greencastle.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the State Line United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 277, State Line, Pa. 17263 or to Calvary Bible Church, 3845 Buchanan Trail West, Greencastle, Pa. 17225.
Christine Ann Reagan
Christine Ann Reagan, 71, of 257 North Carlisle St., Greencastle, died at 9:12 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007 in the Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, from complications of a stroke she had Aug. 26.
Born Dec. 29, 1935 in Altoona, she was the daughter of the late Roy E. and Mildred L. (Norris) Johnson.
She was a homemaker and had worked as a secretary at Fort Ritchie.
Mrs. Reagan was a member of the St. Mark The Evangelist Catholic Church of Greencastle, where she was a member of the P.C.C.W. of the church. She was also a member of the Greencastle- Antrim Lioness Club.
She was a graduate of Altoona High School.
Mrs. Reagan enjoyed flowers and gardening.
She and her husband, Louis J. Reagan, were married Sept. 24, 1966 in Altoona.
In addition to her husband of 40 years, she is survived by a son, Scott P. Reagan of Charlestown W.Va.; two sisters, Jan M. Johnson of Greencastle and Sue E. Test of Chambersburg.
A memorial mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 6 at St. Mark The Evangelist Catholic Church, 385 S. Ridge Ave., Greencastle, with the Rev. Joseph L. Stahura officiating.
Burial will be in the Cedar Hill cemetery, Greencastle.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Greencastle-Antrim Lioness Club, C/O President Mary Witmer, P.O. Box 403, Greencastle, Pa. 17225 or to the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, Greencastle Event, 384 Floral Ave. Chambersburg, Pa. 17201.
Arrangements were handled by the Harold M. Zimmerman And Son Funeral Home of Greencastle.
Mary C. Eshleman
Mary Celestine (Horst) Eshleman, 80, a resident of Menno Haven and formerly of Warm Spring Road, Chambersburg, died at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007 in the Chambersburg Hospital.
Born June 12, 1927 near Grand Point, Chambersburg, and was the daughter of the late Samuel H. Horst and Martha (Martin) Horst.
She was a homemaker and seamstress for many years prior to working as a nurses aid at Menno Haven. Upon retiring at Menno Haven she continued working as a volunteer.
Mrs. Eshleman was a member of the Williamson/Mercersburg Mennonite Church, where she taught a ladies Sunday School class and volunteered time to the Williamson and Mercersburg Mennonite Sewing Circles.
She enjoyed reading, music and was an avid Oriole fan. She enjoyed being with her grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Mahlon D. Eshleman, of 59 years, whom she married June 20, 1948 in Chambersburg, she is survived by two sons, Allen Roger, husband of Mary Ellen (Horst) of Mercersburg, and Ronald Jaye, husband of Sharon (Helfrick) of St. Thomas; five grandchildren, Ryan, Rusty, wife Renae (Flora), Rachel, Joshua and Sarah; sisters, Martha Martin Denlinger of Chambersburg and Lina Horst of Hagerstown, Md.; and a brother, Samuel Horst of Greencastle.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Horst; and three sisters, Fannie Martin, Elizabeth Shantz and Lydia Wadel.
A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 6 at the Mercersburg Mennonite Church, 10060 Buchanan Trail West, Mercersburg, with the Revs. David Possinger and Lloyd Gingrich officiating.
A private burial officiated by Merle Cordell was held at the convenience of the family in the Marion Mennonite Church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5 in the Harold M. Zimmerman And Son Funeral Home, 45 S. Carlisle St., Greencastle. For the convenience of friends the funeral home will be open on Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Benevolent Care Fund of Menno Haven Retirement Communities, 2075 Scotland Ave., Chambersburg, PA 17201 or to the Mercersburg Mennonite Church, 10060 Buchanan Trail West, Mercersburg, PA. 17236.
Ruth Evelyn Creager
Ruther Evelyn Creager, 95, of Thurmont, Md., died Thursday, Sept. 6 at Homewood at Crumland Farms, Frederick, Md.
Born Sept. 28, 1911 in York, she was a daughter of the late Harry Emerson and Mary Emma Stein Krone.
She married Allen Leroy Creager on May 2, 1934. He died in 1968.
Mrs. Creager owned and operated with her husband, Allen, the Creagers Flower Shop in Thurmont.
She was a member of Weller's United Methodist Church since 1928, where she was a member of the United Methodist Women.
Mrs. Creager was also a member of the Senior Citizens of Thurmont and AARP.
She graduated from Thurmont High School with the Class of 1930.
Mrs. Creager worked with Dial-a-ride and the Thurmont Food Bank.
She is survived by two children, Richard A. Creager and wife Evelyn Virginia of Walkersville, Md. and Tena Karinshak and husband Fred of Greencastle; three grandchildren, Richard A. Creager Jr., and wife Oil, of Frederick, Robert E. Creager, and wife Lisa, of Huntersville, N.C. and Tom Karinshak, and wife Caryn of Waterford, Va.; three step grandchildren, Bryan Karinshak, and wife Tami, of Lawton, Okla., Trecia Kippola, and husband Gordon, of Elgin, Okla. and Bruce Karinshak, and wife Zahra, of Lawrenceville, Ga.; four great grandchildren, Jackson Thomas Creager of Huntersville, N.C., Carter Karinshak, Bryce Karinshak and Erica Karinshak, all of Waterford, Va.; five step greatgrandchildren, Kyle Karinshak, Joshua Karinshak and Lucas Karinshak, all of Oklahoma, and Elise Karinshak and Marilee Karinshak, both of Georgia; a sister, Frances Kesselring, and husband Frank, of Greencastle; a brother, Paul Krone, and wife Hedvika, of Tallahassee, Fla.; two sistersin law, Pat Krone of Altmonte Springs, Fla. and Virginia Krone of Short Hills, N.J.; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Lester Krone and Harold Krone; a sister, Margaret Krone; and two sisters-in-law, Ethel Leatherman and Helen Smith.
Services were held the morning of Monday, Sept. 10 in Weller United Methodist Church, Thurmont, with the Rev. Richard Broome officiating.
Burial followed in Blue Ridge cemetery, Thurmont.
Memorials may be made to Weller United Methodist Church, 101 N. Altamont Ave., Thurmont, MD 21788.
Jack Harold Wagner
Jack Harold Wagner, 63, of 12043 Mapleville Road, Cavetown Md., died Friday, Sept. 7, 2007, at the Washington County Hospital, Hagerstown, Md.
Born Wednesday, Aug. 30, 1944, in Hagerstown, he was the son of the late Kenneth F. Wagner Sr. and the late Blossom Virginia Stoner Wagner Martin.
He was formerly employed with Bragunier Masonry and Fuji Color Film.
Mr. Wagner was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in Korea.
He is survived by his wife Whylemenia M. Wagner; three daughters, Kristyn N. Wagner of Hagerstown, Jessica D. Wagner of Hagerstown, MD, and Jennifer D. Wagner of Cavetown; one sister, Deborah J. Reese of Williamsport, Md.; two brothers, Kenneth F. Wagner of Colorado Springs, Col. and Joseph W. Wagner of Jacksonville, N.C.; three grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Teresa J. Ramsey.
Services were held the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 12 in the Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home, Hagerstown with the Pastor Buck Besecker officiating.
Burial was in the Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, Hagerstown.
Mary Amanda Bowerman
Mary Amanda (Wisler) Bowerman, 72, of 689 Bowman Road, Chambersburg, died at 5:34 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, 2007 in her home.
Born April 6, 1935 in Shady Grove, she was the daughter of the late David R. and A. Helen (Flohr) Wisler.
She was a homemaker and provided home nursing care to people.
She was a member of the Old German Baptist Brethren Church Brown's Mill Congregation.
She was a 1953 graduate of Quincy High School.
She is survived by a daughter, Darlene Bowerman Sullenberger of Chambersburg; two sons, Gary Bowerman of Linneus, Missouri and Leroy Bowerman of Spickard, Missouri; two sisters, Naomi Hess of Chambersburg and Wilma Brunk of Waynesboro; a brother, Paul Wisler, Lafayette, Ind.; 28 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sons, Dale Bowerman and Wayne Bowerman; and a sister, Lois Wisler.
Services were held the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 11 at the Brown's Mill Meeting House on Grindstone Hill Road, Chambersburg with The Brethren officiating.
Burial was in the Brown's Mill cemetery, Kauffman.
The family requests that flowers be omitted.
Arrangements were handled by the Harold M. Zimmerman And Son Funeral Home Inc., Greencastle.
Thelma I. Kell
Thelma I. (Ankerbrand) Kell, 63, of 10583 Wayne Highway, Waynesboro, died at 3:24 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, 2007 in Hershey Medical Center, Hershey. She was in failing health for the past two years and critically ill for the past week.
Born Sept. 9, 1943 in Waynesboro, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Caroline (Cordell) Ankerbrand. She was a life long resident of the Waynesboro area.
Mrs. Kell graduated from Quincy High School with the Class of 1962.
In her early life, she worked at Louise Ceramics in Zullinger and then she served as a ceramic instructor for Franklin County Area Senior Centers throughout Franklin County for 15 years. Prior to retiring in 2006, she worked as the Waynesboro Senior Center manager and at Henicle's Market.
Mrs. Kell was a member of Grace Baptist Church, Waynesboro, where she served as Awana Secretary, was a VBS worker and worked in the Junior Department of the church.
She also was a member of the Waynesboro Hospital Auxiliary, where she worked in the hospital gift shop for over 20 years, and volunteered at the Biblical Education Center in Shady Grove, for over 10 years.
Mrs. Kell enjoyed ceramics, watching birds and spending time with her family.
She is survived by two daughters, Laura A. (husband Tabb) Justus and Julie A. (husband Scott) McAllister both of Waynesboro; a son, John R. (wife Cindy) Kell Jr. of Greencastle; eight grandchildren; one sister, Bonnie Heinrich of Hagerstown, Md.; a brother, Donald Ankerbrand of Waynesboro; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph "Woody" Ankerbrand; and the Father of her children, John R. Kell Sr. who died Nov. 4, 2006.
Services were held the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 12 in Grace Baptist Church, Waynesboro with Rev. John F. Huff and Pastor William A. Shank officiating.
Burial was in Brown's Mill cemetery, Kauffman.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Biblical Education Center, Inc., 1542 Buchanan Trail East, Greencastle, PA 17225.
Arrangements were handled by Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro.
