Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
WILLIAM ATKINS
William T. Atkins, 82, of Hilltown, passed away unexpectedly March 20, 2008, at his residence.
HOWARD GROSS
Howard William Gross, 82, of the Colonnade, Schwenksville, died March 18, 2008, following a long illness.
BELLA ELIAS
Bella (Erlich) Elias died March 18, 2008.
MARTHA DAILEY
Martha R. (Magerl) Dailey, 81, of North Wales, died March 19, 2008.
R. THOMAS WHISTED
R. Thomas Whisted, 59, of Lansdale, died March 17, 2008 in Central Montgomery Medical Center.
MABEL REIFF
Mabel E. Reiff, 90, of Hatfield, formerly of Philadelphia, passed away Sunday, March 16, 2008 in Central Montgomery Medical Center.
JACOB LANDIS
Jacob M. Landis, 96, of Montrose, formerly of Telford, passed away Monday, March 10, 2008 at Gracious Living Estates.
JANET EFFRIG
Janet Saylor Effrig, 70, of Zephyrhills, FL, formerly of Colmar, died March 15, 2008.
ANAMARIE CATALDI
Anamarie Renee Cataldi, age 5, passed away March 17, 2008 in Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
JEAN ANTHONY
Jean W. Anthony, 81, died March 18, 2008 in Sunrise at Mountain View in Allentown.
EMILY DUNGAN
Emily S. (Sullivan) Dungan of Lansdale, formerly of Oreland, died March 13, 2008.
MICHAEL RILING
Michael Joseph Riling of Lansdale died unexpectedly March 14, 2008.
ROBERT ZONG
Robert H. Zong, 74, a longtime resident of Lansdale, passed away at his home, May 21, 2008, following a long, courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Born in Altoona, he was the son of the late Robert Cleveland and Catherine Marie (Hay) Zong and graduated from Pennsylvania State University in State College.
A senior metallurgical engineer, Mr. Zong worked for the Philadelphia Electric Co. for decades. Following retirement from PECO, he became a qualified school bus driver for the North Penn School District. In addition, he delivered flowers part time for Silk N’ Fresh Florist.
He was a social member of the Hatfield American Legion and a member of the American Society of Metallurgical Engineers. He was a past president of the National American Society of Nondestructive Testing.
He was the loving Father of four children, Kim M. Frasch and her husband, William A., of Green Lane, Tom S. Zong of Lansdale, Steven R. Zong and his wife, Kimber, of Bethlehem and Holly Z. Lowery and her husband, Frank, of Souderton. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Rachel Catherine, Jessica Lea and Kathryn M. Frasch and Donovan Scott and Kaitlyn Renee Zong; a sister, E. Betty Skelton of Gainsville, FL; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends may greet the family Saturday, May 24 after 3 PM in the Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, Lansdale, and are invited to attend his memorial service at 4 PM. Please omit flowers. Memorial donations in his name would be greatly appreciated to American Parkinson Disease Assoc., Inc., 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305 or to www.apdaparkinson.org
DR. HERBERT NORTHROP
Dr. Herbert L. Northrop died May 2, 2008 in Las Cruces, NM.
He was born Nov. 18, 1929 in Poughkeepsie, NY. He gained his bachelor’s degree at Fordham University and earned his medical degree at Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia. From 1959 to 1961, he served as a captain in the U.S. Army Corps.
In 1955, he entered private practice at the Lansdale Clinic (Lansdale Medical Group) and remained there for more than 15 years. He also served as the plant physician of Philco-Ford Corp. in Lansdale. Dr. Northrop served as president of the Lansdale Volunteer Medical Service Corps (VMSC) and was active in designing the medical facility at Foulkeways.
In 1969, he was honored with the North Penn Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award. He later became an associate medical director of Ford Motor Company in Detroit, MI. Dr. Northrop retired from Astra Zeneca in 1998 and moved to Las Cruces. He was a race physician for the Sports Car Club of America for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Michelle Northrop; sons, Herbert and his wife, Maureen, and David Northrop; and daughters, Kathleen Eisenhower and her husband, Bruce, and Melissa Northrop; and his grandchildren, Jack and Pete Eisenhower and Kayleigh Northrop. He is also survived by a brother, David Northrop and his wife, Flo.
Gloria E. Northrop, mother of his four children, preceded him in death.
A memorial service was held in Las Cruces.
WAYNE HARRIS
Wayne Harris, 42, of East Greenville, died unexpectedly May 21, 2008. He was the beloved husband of Susan (Schueck) Harris.
An avid fisherman, Wayne loved the outdoors, especially backyard campfires with neighbors and vacationing in the Outer Banks with family.
He was a former assistant cub scout leader and assistant Little League coach.
Wayne was a loving Father who took great pride in his sons, Joshua, Daniel, and Andrew.
In addition to his wife and three sons, he is survived by his mother, Kathleen McDaniel and her husband, Robert, of Telford; his Father, Vance Harris and his wife, Faith, of Daytona Beach, FL; a brother, Mark Harris and his wife, Kelly, of N. Augusta, SC; and his grandmother, Juanita Harris of Sellersville. He is also survived by his half-siblings, Vance Harris of Blairsville, GA, and Robert Harris and Adrienne Harris, both of Port Orange, FL.
He was preceded in death by an older brother, Terry Harris
Services will be held at 11 AM, Saturday, May 24 at the Falk Funeral Homes & Crematory, 163 Main Street, Pennsburg. The viewing will be from 9 to 11 AM. Condolences may be sent to: www.falkfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the “Wayne Harris Family Fund” c/o Univest Corp, 321 Main St., East Greenville, PA 18041.
ELMER GODSHALL
Elmer K. Godshall, 89, of Telford, went home to be with his Lord, Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at his residence, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband for 68 years to Marian (Moyer) Godshall.
Born in Vernfield, he was a son of the late William and Sallie (Koffel) Godshall.
Elmer retired in 1985 from the rendering department of Hatfield Quality Meats where he was a dedicated worker for 45 years. He was then employed by Franconia Township in park maintenance for 14 years.
Elmer enjoyed being outdoors, gardening and maintaining his property. He was an avid Bible reader and had memorized large portions of the Scriptures. He enjoyed contributing to worthy causes.
He was a life member of Franconia Mennonite Church of Telford, where he served as a former adult Sunday school teacher. Elmer served on a number of occasions with Mennonite Disaster Service to Virginia and Wilkes-Barre. He was also involved in prison ministry.
In addition to his wife, Marian, he is survived by his sons, Arlen Godshall and his wife, Norma, of Phoenix, AZ, Larry Godshall and his wife, Linda, of Lansdale, Ray Godshall and his wife, Mary Jane, of Telford and E. Durrell Godshall and his wife, Sherry, of Harleysville; his daughters, Darlene Knox and her husband, Edwin, of Lebanon, OR and Lori Detweiler and her husband, Wesley, of Telford; four sisters, Matilda Freed of Souderton, Sadie Landis of Telford, Ruth Ruth of Quakertown and Naomi Halteman of Lebanon, Lancaster County; 12 grandchildren: and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, William and Marvin Godshall; and two sisters, Iva and Mary Hackman
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 27 at 1:30 PM at Franconia Mennonite Church, 613 Harleysville Pike, Franconia, where friends may meet with the family from 11 AM to 1 PM. Burial will take place at Franconia Mennonite cemetery in Franconia. Arrangements are by Anders- Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory in Souderton.
GUNNEL BOHIDAR
Gunnel I. Bohidar, 83, formerly of Towamencin Twp., died May 22, 2008 in Dock Meadows, Hilltown Twp. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Neeti R. Bohidar, in 1997.
Born in Helsinki, Finland, she immigrated to the United States in 1988. She received her master’s degree in home economics from Iowa State University and taught in the subject at Hood College in Frederick, MD.
Mrs. Bohidar was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Kulpsville.
She enjoyed spending time outdoors, cross country skiing, and reading. Most of all, her children and grandchildren were the love of her life.
Surviving are her children and grandchildren; two sons, Norman R. Bohidar and his wife, Mary, and their children, Lucas and Amelia of Harleysville and Nicholas R. Bohidar and his wife, Vickie, and their son, Rylan, of Richmond, VA.
In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by a sister, Anne-Maj Ohls.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her memorial service Sunday, May 25 at 2 PM in Christ Lutheran Church, 2211 Sumneytown Pike, Kulpsville, followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery. Arrangements are with Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, Lansdale.
MARIAN RISHKOFSKI
Marian R. Rishkofski, 88, formerly of Hilltown Twp., died Monday, May 19, 2008, in Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell, Whitpain Twp. She was the wife of Stanley A. Rishkofski, Sr. The couple had celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary, April 30.
Born in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late Louis and Mary (Voso) Lista.
Mrs. Rishkofski was a homemaker and a former member of Our Lady of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hilltown.
She was a member of the Senior Adult Activity Center of Indian Valley in Souderton, the Harleysville Senior Center and the PEAK Center in Lansdale. She and her husband enjoyed dancing and performed with a band and square dance group. Her interests included crocheting and knitting.
Surviving with her husband are a daughter, Mary Ann Needs and her husband, David, of Alden; three sons, Stanley A. Rishkofski, Jr. and his wife, Kathleen, of King of Prussia, Louis A. Rishkofski and his wife, Sharon, of Austin, TX, and Terrence Rishkofski and his wife, Janice, of Havertown; three grandchildren; two brothers, Louis Lista, Jr. and Daniel G. Lista and his wife, Nicolette, all of Hilltown Twp; and three sisters, Amelia Dezzi of Hilltown Twp, Eleanor Talio and her husband, Bruno, of Runnemede, NJ and Mary Jean Lista of Hilltown Twp.
Her Memorial Mass will be celebrated Thursday, May 22 at 10:30 AM in Our Lady of Sacred Heart Church, Route 152 and Broad Street, Hilltown, where family and friends may call from 10 AM until the time of the mass. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Sacred Heart cemetery, Hilltown. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Hospice, 1221 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Arrangements are by the Bernard Suess Funeral Home in Perkasie.
MATTHEW GREGER
A Celebration of Life Mass will be held Friday, May 23 at 11 AM in St. Rose of Lima Church, North Wales, for Matthew S. Greger, 72, of North Wales, who died May 9, 2008.
He was the husband of Carolyn (Teller) Adams-Greger and the Father of Charles, Matthew and Robert Greger and Dean and Peter Adams. He is also survived by four grandchildren, a brother, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mr. Greger was retired from SPS Technologies and was a longtime member of LaCrest Health Club.
Friends may call at the church prior to the mass from 10 to 11 AM. Interment will be in St. John Neumann cemetery. Memorial donations to Hospice of North Penn VNA, 51 Medical Campus Drive, Lansdale, PA 19446, are preferred. Arrangements are by Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, Lansdale.
HELEN BORKOWSKI
Helen V. (Maminski) Borkowski of Philadelphia died May 18, 2008. She was the wife of the late Edward S.; mother of Edward F. and his wife, Mary T. Pomrink, and Robert J. and his wife, Patricia L. Godfrey; and sister of Alfreda Kupniewski and her husband, Walter. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Jason Borkowski.
Relatives, friends and Holy Innocents Senior Citizens are invited to her visitation Friday, May 23 at 9 AM in Holy Innocents Church, L Street and Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 AM. Interment will be in St. Peter cemetery. Arrangements are by Guckin Funeral Home, Philadelphia. 215-743-7256.
