Arthur C. Yerges
Arthur C. Yerges, age 77, of Lykens, died Wednesday, March 12, 2003 at Community General Osteopathic Hospital, Harrisburg. He was a retired employee of Mopac, Elizabethville and was a member of Short Mountain Gun Club. He was an Army Veteran of World War II and received the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor E. Yeager Yerges, who died December 8, 1991. Surviving are a son, Arthur R. Yerges of Lykens; four daughters, Sandra L. Umberger of Wiconisco, Jacquelyn A. Weiser, Desiree L. Herner, both of Lykens, Trudy J. Scheib of Tremont; a brother, Charles Yerges of Joliett; four sisters, Lillian Shepler of Donaldson, Catherine of Pottsville, Charlotte Zerby of Lykens, Sandy Schlein of Lincoln; 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Services were held Sunday, March 16, at the John R. Shultz Funeral Home, Millersburg. Interment with Military Honors was on March 17, at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3211 North Front Street, Suite 100, Harrisburg, 17110. John R. Shultz Funeral Home, Lykens, was in charge of arrangements.
Nevin R. Troutman
Nevin Raymond Troutman, 83, of RD1, Herndon, died Friday, March 14, 2003, in the Susquehanna Lutheran Village, Millersburg. Born September 30, 1919, in Herndon, RD, to the late Gurney and Florence Hoffman Troutman. He was a graduate of Herndon High School, Class of 1938. He was a retired farmer and member of Himmels Church. He previously served on the church council of David's Church of Hebe; was a long time leader of the Northumberland County 4-H Club; and served as school director of the former Mahanoy School District. He was a school bus driver for the Line Mountain Schools.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Shaffer Troutman, who died on April 9, 1983; and by a grandson, Marshall Troutman. Surviving are three daughters, Sandra Troutman of Herndon, RD 1, Sharon, Lessig of Reading, Sheila, Romberger of Paris, Texas; six grandchildren and a great-grandson. Religious Services were held Tuesday, March 18, at James A. Reed Funeral Home, Pillow, with Rev. Raymond Brown, officiating. Interment was in Pillow Union Cemetery. Donations may be made to PinnacleHealth Hospice, 3705 Elmwood Drive, Harrisburg, 17110 or Susquehanna Lutheran Village, Millersburg, 17061. James A. Reed Funeral Home, Pillow, was in charge of arrangements.
Walter E. Seiders
Walter E. Seiders, 93, of Susquehanna Lutheran Village, and formerly of Halifax died Monday, March 10, 2003, in the village. Born in Halifax, he was a son of the late Walter and Pearl Bowman Seiders. He was retired from the former Artie Hoffman's Reamer & Tool in Millersburg. He was of the Protestant faith. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Reed Seiders.
Surviving are a son, Dale of Dauphin; a daughter, Janet Webster of Halifax; a sister, Grace Simmons of Halifax; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Services were private at the convenience of the family. Interment was in Long's Cemetery, Halifax.
Hoover Funeral Homes, Inc., Millersburg was in charge of arrangements.
Rachel N. Miller
Rachel N. Miller, 77, of Tower City, died Saturday, March 15, 2003, at the home of her daughter Cindy, in Tower City. She was a member of the Williamstown United Methodist Church; was a retired seamstress from the Garment Industry; and had worked in the cafeteria at the Williams Valley High School. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ellis in 1964; four brothers, Earl, Paul, Fred and Lloyd Underkoffler; and two sisters, Marie Klinger and Ruth Yoder.
Surviving are two daughters, Cindy K. Donton and Marcia S. Schumber, both of Tower City; three sons, Robert E. and Bryon L., both of Williamstown and Kevin K., of Midlothiam, VA; three sisters, Thelma Byerly of Williamstown, Merle Otto of Jonestown and Kay Houtz of Tower City; a brother, Craig Underkoffler of Tower City; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, March 19, at 11 a.m., from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Homes, Inc., Tower City, with Rev. Elizabeth Whitehead officiating. Burial will be in the Methodist Cemetery, Williamstown. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to Tower-Porter Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 33, Tower City, 17980, Williamstown EMS, P.O. Box 74, Williamstown, 17098; her church, East and Spruce Streets, Williamstown, 17098 or Hospice, One Norwegian Plaza, Pottsville, 17901. Dimon Funeral Homes, Inc., Tower City, was in charge of arrangements.
Arlene M. Miller
Arlene M. Miller, 82, of Pine Grove, died Sunday, March 9, 2003, at Pottsville Hospital. Born in Tremont Township, November 23, 1920, she was a daughter of the late Gerald Sr. and Mary Zimmerman Workman. She was a graduate of Tremont Township and Porter Township schools. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, Tremont. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul E., in 1961; a son, Robert E., in 1991; a sister, Anna Heinbach; three brothers, Joseph, William and Robert Workman.
Surviving are a son, Donald J. of Allentown; three sisters, Kathryn Miller of Allentown, Mary Patrick of Marysville, and Loretta Koons of Lincoln; a brother, Gerald Workman Jr. of Lincoln; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Thursday, March 13, in Immaculate Conception Church, with the Rev. James Burdess officiating. Interment was in the parish cemetery, Tremont. Minnig-Berger Funeral Home, Tremont, was in charge of arrangements.
Anna M. Miller
Anna M. Miller, 61, of Halifax, died Monday, March 10, 2003, at Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill. Born in Harrisburg, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Alvena Bixler Smeltz. She had worked at the former Olivetti office machine plant in Harrisburg. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph L. Miller. Surviving are a daughter, Debbie A. Miller of Shermans Dale; three sons, Dale L. of Duncannon, Dean L. of Chicago, IL, and David L. of Shermans Dale; a brother, Richard Smeltz of Hartford, CT; three sisters, June Miller of Halifax, Marilyn Shade of Elizabethville, Joyce Hoffman of Tower City; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Services were held Thursday, March 13, at the Hoover Funeral Homes, Inc., Millersburg. Interment was in Riverview Memorial Gardens, Halifax. Memorial contributions may be made to Halifax Ambulance Association, 225 Bunker Hill Road, Halifax, 17032; or to Halifax Fire Co., 22 S. River Road, Halifax, 17032.
Hoover Funeral Homes, Inc., Millersburg, was in charge of arrangements.
James G. Merritt
James G. Merritt, age 62, of Williamstown, died Wednesday, March 12, 2003, at Harrisburg Hospital. He was employed as a heavy equipment operator and retired from the PA National Guard at Ft. Indiantown Gap, with the rank of First Sergeant. He was an Army Veteran of the Vietnam War and received the Bronze Star. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Of Jesus Catholic Church; International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 542 and the American Legion Post No. 239. Born in Moncks Corner, Berkeley County, South Carolina on December 14, 1940, he was a son of the late Grady and Ruby Moody Merritt; and his step-father, James W. Merritt.
Surviving are his wife, Mary L. Ditzler Merritt; a son, Brian J. Merritt of Highspire; three daughters, Laura A. Merritt of Ashland, Karen M. Merritt of Highspire and Jill E. Fisher of Lewisberry; a step-son, Eugene E. Sattler, at home; a step-daughter, Amy J. Sattler of Lebanon; two brothers, Lee and Robert Merritt; two sisters, Gloria Lail and Evelyn Earhart, all of South Carolina; six grandchildren; and a step-grandchild.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, at Sacred Heart Of Jesus Catholic Church, 140 East Market Street, with Father Robert S. Panza as celebrant. Interment with Military Honors will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 20, at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Viewing will be from 9-10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. John R. Shultz Funeral Home, Lykens, has charge of arrangements.
Paul W. Ely
Paul W. Ely, 60, of Kulpmont, died Saturday, March 8, 2003, at his residence. Born in Hegins Twp., March 22, 1942, to Gilbert and Rose Sabatino Ely. He was a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran and received the purple heart. He was a 1960 graduate of Tri-Valley High School. He was a member of Friedens United Church of Christ, Hegins.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Cecilia Ely; a brother, Junior Ely of Carlisle; and a number of aunts, nieces and nephews. Services were held on Wednesday, March 12, in Friedens United Church of Christ, Hegins with the Rev. Claude Schach officiating. Interment was be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Hegins. Joseph J. Stutz, Inc. Funeral Home, Mt. Carmel, was handling arrangements.
Margaret E. Deveny
Margaret Elizabeth Deveny, 88, Millersburg, died Sunday, March 9, at Harrisburg Hospital. Born November 10, 1914 in Millersburg, she was a daughter of the late Homer Daniel Barnhart and Catherine Brown Barnhart.
She retired after many years of service at Muskin Shoe, Millersburg as a stitcher; and most of her life was spent in the Millersburg area. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Millersburg. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Sox Deveny; and a brother, John Barnhart. Surviving are a sister, Glenna J. Sultzbaugh of Millersburg; two nephews, John C. and Nelson McCormick; two nieces, Jane McCormick and Cynthia A. Keefer; and two great-nieces, Catherine and Susan Abigail McCormick.
Funeral service were held Wednesday, March 12, from Reinhard Funeral Home, with Rev. James Bonsell and Rev. Richard Ballard officiating. Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery, Millersburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to V.N.A. of Central Pennsylvania, 230 Market Street, Millersburg, 17061. Reinhard Funeral Home, was in charge of arrangements.
Harry L. "Pit" Deitrich
Harry L. "Pit" Deitrich, 93, of RR 1, Klingerstown, died Friday, March 7, 2003, at the Friendly Nursing Home, RR 1, Pitman. Born at Pitman, February 17, 1910, he was a son of the late Charles Deitrich and Mary Brosius Deitrich Scheib. He was educated in the Pitman area schools. He and his wife Martha owned and operated the former Deitrich’s Grocery Store and Store to Your Door, at RR 1, Klingerstown, for over 40 years, retiring in 1975.
He was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, Pitman, and the Klingerstown Fire Company. He was preceded in death by two sons, Charles Deitrich in 1980 and Roy Deitrich in 1986; and two sisters, Eva Smith and Helen M. Baum.
Surviving are his wife of 70 years, Martha A. Schaeffer Deitrich, a patient at the Friendly Nursing Home, RR 1, Pitman; a daughter, Marion V. Cornwell of Mt. Gretna; two sisters, Irene Shadle of Valley View, and Maude Murphy of Aldan; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 14, at 11 a.m. from St. James Lutheran Church, RR 1, Pitman, with the Rev. Warren Egebo officiating. Viewing will be held at the church, Friday morning from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be in Hepler’s Church of God Cemetery, RR 1, Pitman.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. James Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, Main Road, Pitman, 17964. Stephen R. Rothermel Funeral Home, RR 1, Klingerstown, was in charge of arrangements. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, at the St. James Lutheran Church, RR 1, Pitman. Viewing in the church on Friday, from 10-11 a.m. Stephen R. Rothermel Funeral Home, RR 1, Klingerstown, handling arrangements.
Dr. Glenn O. Bressler
Dr. Glenn O. Bressler, 89, of State College, died Monday, March 10, 2003.
Born in Hegins, February 13, 1914, he was a son of the late J. Claude and Mary Otto Bressler. He was a 1931 graduate of Hegins Township High School. He received his bachelor and master's degree in agricultural education from Penn State University. He received his Ph.D. from Cornell University. He attended Millersville University and University of Minnesota.
He was a member of the poultry science faculty at Penn State for 30 years and retired as professor emeritus in 1975. He served as acting head of the Department of Poultry Science in 1966 and was a member of the University Senate for two years. He also taught vocational agriculture in Lower Paxton Township High School and Hollidaysburg High School.
He developed and built the first solar poultry house and many other innovations for the industry. In 1961, he gave a number of lectures before university and industry groups in England, and attended World Turkey Federation Congress, London. In 1966, he presented a paper at the 13th World Poultry Congress in Kiev, USSR. He was honored as Allied Industry Man of the Year in 1971 by the Pennsylvania Poultry Federation. In 1995, he received the Distinguished Teacher award from the Hollidaysburg High School Alumni Association.
He was a member of Everglades Community Church, Everglade City, Fla., its chorus, and had been a member of State College Presbyterian Church, where he was a deacon and elder, a member of Poultry Science Association, American Institute of Biological Sciences, World Poultry Science Association, Alpha Tau Alpha, Sigma Xi, president of Sigma Gamma Delta, vice president of state Vocational Association, Hollidaysburg, and State College Kiwanis clubs and Juniata Lodge 282, Hollidaysburg.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Verna Frye Bressler, who died in 1999. Surviving are two daughters, Janet Zettle of Huntington, W.Va., and Jean Blazey of Osprey, Fla.; two granddaughters; nieces and nephews.
Memorial service were held Friday, March 14, at State College Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Dr. Charles J. Curley officiating. Interment was in Graysville Cemetery. Koch Funeral Home, State College, was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Glenn O. Bressler Memorial Award, c/o Dr. Robert Elkin, Department of Poultry Science, Penn State University, 213 Henning Building, University Park, PA. 16802, or to the State College Presbyterian Church, 132 W. Beaver Avenue, State College, PA 16801, or Meals on Wheels, 205 S. Garner Street, State College, PA 16801.
Grace L. Bowerman
Grace L. Stuppy Bowerman, 68, of Williamstown, died Tuesday, March 11, 2003, at Harrisburg Hospital. Born in Lykens, February 19, 1935, she was a daughter of the late John and Florence Hunter Stuppy. She was of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by a sister, Jean Snody. Surviving are her husband of 51 years, William C. Bowerman; four sons, Dane E. of New Cumberland, John C. of Enola, William J. of Palmyra, and Brad A. of Carbondale; two sisters, Ruth Jones of Wiconisco, and Doris Litchfield of Enola; and seven grandchildren. Memorial services were held Monday, March 17, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Williamstown, with the rev. Marlene E. Griffith-Stull officiating. Interment was in Calvary United Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco. Memorial contributions may be made to the Williamstown Ambulance Association, 204 South West St., Williamstown 17098. John R. Shultz Funeral Home, Lykens, was in charge of arrangements.
Rebecca J. Clark
Rebecca J. Clark, 62, of Elizabethville, died Tuesday, April 5, 2005, at home.
Born March 10, 1943 in Rebuck, Northumberland, she was the daughter of Ruby Wood of Hegins.
She worked for the former Brubaker Tool Company, Millersburg as a machine trainer, was a member of the Quarter Century Club of Brubaker Tool Company, and a member of David's Church, Millersburg.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Straub and a brother, Glen Schwalm.
Surviving are her husband, James W. Clark; her mother, Ruby Wood; son-in-law, Kevin Straub of Berrysburg; and two grandsons, Nolan and Nicholas Straub, both of Berrysburg.
Religious services were held Saturday, March 9, from David's Church, Millersburg, with Rev. Gary Becker officiating. Interment was in Riverview Memorial Gardens, Halifax.
James A. Reed Funeral Home, Pillow, was in charge of arrangements.
Ruth C. Coleman
Ruth C. Coleman, 81, of Millersburg, died Saturday, April 9, 2005, at Susquehanna Lutheran Village, Millersburg.
Born June 17, 1923 in Klingerstown, she was a daughter of the late Herman and Jenny Mattern Erdman.
She was a graduate of the former Lake Hill High School, Lake Hill; was retired from Muskin Shoe Factory, Millersburg, as a stitcher; member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Millersburg; and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion Post No. 326, Millersburg.
Surviving are her husband, Harvey E. Coleman, Sr.; a son, Harvey E. Coleman, Jr., of Millersburg; two brothers, Lester Erdman of Hills Grove, and Marlin Erdman of Halifax; four sisters, Margaret Kessler of Gratz, Violet Hoffman of Klingerstown, Daisey Drumbheller of Klingerstown and Gertie Stine of Arizona; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be at Reinhard Funeral Home at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 13, with Rev. Penny Dollar, Pastor officiating. Interment will be in Riverview Memorial Gardens, Halifax. Friends are invited to call for a visitation on Wednesday from 9-10 a.m., at the funeral home.
Donations may be made to PinnacleHealth Hospice, 3705 Elmwood Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Reinhard Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Harry W. Davis
Harry Walter Davis, 84, of Gratz, died Monday, April 4, 2005, at Harrisburg Hospital.
Born in Gratz, Aug. 27, 1920, he was a son of the late Harry Walter and Sarah Hazel Crawley Davis. He was a Staff Sgt. in the Army during World War II serving in Africa, Rhineland, Germany, and Normandy France. He received the Purple Heart for his service.
He retired as an accountant for the former Adams Ford, Gratz. He was a former tax collector for the Gratz Borough for 33 years. He was also a former billing clerk for the Gratz Water Authority.
He was a member of Simeon Lutheran Church, Gratz, where he was a former member of the church council.
He was a member of the Gratz VFW Post 2385, a life member of the Gratz Fire Company, and former secretary/treasurer of the Gratz Old Timers.
Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Alfreda A. Scheib Davis; a son, Jeffrey L. of Gratz; two daughters, Paulette E. McGraw of Harrisburg, and Wendy S. Davis of Lansdale; a granddaughter, Kimberly Q. McGraw of Chicago, ILL; three sisters, Mildred Hollenbach of Selinsgrove, Hilda Enders of Nesquehoning, and Florence Crow of San Antonio, TX.
Funeral services were held on Friday, April 8, at the Simeon Lutheran Church, Gratz, with the Rev. Barry Ridge officiating. Interment was in Union Cemetery, Gratz.
Memorial donations may be made to Simeon Lutheran Church, Gratz PA 17030. James A. Reed Funeral Home, Pillow, was in charge of arrangements.
Allen J. Deiter
Allen J. Deiter, 79, of RR2 Northumberland, died Saturday, March 26, 2005, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
Born in Sacramento, July 16, 1925, he was a son of the late Morris and Minnie Deiter. He graduated in 1943 from Lower Mahanoy Township High School.
He and his wife, Lillian, engaged in farming in the RR Dornsife area for 30 years prior to their move to Point Township.
He was a charter member of the Pennsylvania Farmers Union in Northumberland County. He served as legislative director and state president of the Pennsylvania Farmers Union for several years. He also served as Northumberland ASCS county committeeman and associate director of the county disaster committee. He was a member of the National and Pennsylvania Association for Farmers, for which he was an elected committeeman, and was associate director of the Northumberland County Soil Conservation District.
He was a member of the United Church of Christ Himmel's Church, Rebuck, where he formerly held various offices; and a life member of the I.D.O.F. Lodge.
He was preceded in death by two sisters Elva Peifer, and Sara Boyer; and two nephews, Mark and Marvin Peifer. A sister, Emma Jane, died in infancy.
Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Lillian Rebuck Deiter; a daughter, Carol Smeltz of Snydertown; two granddaughters, Christine Shemory of Sunbury, and Leslie White of Lumberton, N.J.; a brother, Russell Deiter of McEwensville; a sister, Anna Landis of RR Herndon; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at United Lutheran Church, RR4 Sunbury. Interment was in the adjoining church cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Himmel's Lutheran and United Church of Christ Church, Rebuck, PA 17867, or to United Lutheran Church, RR4, Sunbury, PA 17801. Jerre Wirt Blank Funeral Home, Northumberland, was in charge of arrangements.
