Paul E. Kieffer
Paul E. “Dutch” Kieffer, 75, of Mechanicsburg, died Monday, May 17, 2004, at Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill.
Born at RD Dornsife, August 12, 1928, he was a son of the late George P. and Edith M. Klinger Kieffer. He attended Dornsife area schools.
He was a retired maintenance carpenter, having been employed by Davenports, Inc., Lemoyne, retiring in 1992.
He was a member of Himmel’s Church, Rebuck, and attended Middlesex United Methodist Church, Carlisle. He was a member of the Knights of Phythians, Enola; and Sunrise Hunting Camp, Potter County.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty A. Adams Kieffer, who died December 20, 1990; and a sister, Gertie M. Zartman.
Surviving are his fiancé, Patricia A. Adams of Carlisle; a son, Larry P. of New Kingston; four brothers, Clarence of Oceanside, CA, Lloyd of Florida, Leo of Missouri, and Melvin of Coal Township; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Thursday, May 20, from Himmel’s Church, Rebuck with the Rev. Norma Kinard and the Rev. Frederick Faust officiating. Interment was in Himmel’s Church Cemetery, Rebuck. The Stephen R. Rothermel Funeral Home, Klingerstown, was in charge of arrangements.
Mary Kovak
Mary Kovak, 73, of Lykens, died Thursday, May 20, 2004, at home.
Born in Coaldale, October 9, 1930, she was a daughter of the late William and Barbara Bubernak. She was a graduate of Coaldale High School.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Bubernak.
Surviving are her husband, Leonard J. Kovak; two sons, Leonard D. of Elizabethville, and Michael S. of Lykens; a daughter, Debra A. Wetzel of Washington Township; a granddaughter; a great-granddaughter.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 26, in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, with the Rev. John Peck officiating. Viewing will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pinnacle Health Hospice, 3705 Elmwood Dr., Harrisburg, PA 17110. John R. Shultz Funeral Home, Lykens, is in charge of arrangements.
Paul E. Laudenslager
Paul E. Laudenslager, 75, of Halifax, died Wednesday, May 19, 2004, at his residence.
Born in Halifax, he was a son of the late Isaac and Catherine Etzweiler Laudenslager.
He was retired captain of the guards at the Dauphin County Prison. He was a member of the Halifax U.M. Church; Susquehanna Lodge No. 364 F&AM; Upper Dauphin Shrine Club; Harrisburg Consistory; Zembo Temple; Halifax VFW No. 5750 and was an Army Veteran of World War II.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Floyd and John.
Surviving are his wife, Millicent Gingrich Laudenslager; five sons, Isaac of Carthage, NC, Chris of Halifax, Steve of Waldorf, MD, Tracy of Winton, CA and Kirby of Halifax; a daughter, Sheila Stull of Harrisburg; a brother, Charles of Halifax; three sisters, Kathleen Enders and Mildred Lebo, both of Halifax and Ople Nace of Millersburg; and 17 grandchildren.
Services were held on Monday, May 24, beginning with Masonic Rites at Hoover Funeral Home in Millersburg. Interment with military honors was in Riverview Memorial Gardens, Halifax.
Memorial donations may be made to his church, 105 Wind Hill Drive, Halifax, PA 17032. Hoover Funeral Home, Millersburg, was in charge of arrangements.
Alma P. Miller
Alma P. Miller, 91, of Mechanicsburg, died Saturday, May 22, 2004, at the Messiah Village where she was a resident with her husband of over 50 years, Henry W. Miller who survives her.
Born March 10, 1913, in Leck Hill, Northumberland County, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Mabel Paul Snyder.
She was a retired nurse and had worked for Jefferson Medical College Hospital and the former State TB Hospital, both in Philadelphia. She was a Veteran of W.W.II where she was a Captain in the Army Nurses Corps. She was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, Pitman. She was a member of the Nurses Alumni Assoc. of Jefferson Medical College.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by a brother, Burton Snyder of Leck Hill, five sisters, Shirley Schreffler, and Verna Snyder, both of Rebuck, Evelyn Phillips, and Edith Schorr, both of Millersburg, and Carolyn Keiter of Dalmatia.
Services will be private. Interment will be at David's Church Cemetery, Killinger. No viewing or visitation.
Memorial donations may be made to the Messiah Village Retirement Endowment, 100 Mount Allen, Messiah Village, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. Hoover Funeral Home Inc., Millersburg, is in charge of arrangements.
Harriet E. Plesh
Harriet E. Rothman Plesh of Rockville, MD, formerly of Millersburg and Harrisburg, died on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at the Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD.
She graduated from Millersburg High School, began her business career writing commercial copy and doing interviews for WCMB Radio in Lemoyne. She later was office manager for the Victorian Shoe Salon in Harrisburg and for an insurance agency in Rockville. At the time of her death, she was employed as an insurance consultant in Rockville.
She was active in the Harrisburg Community Theatre when it was located on South Front Street and was a popular vocalist with bands appearing at USO's during World War II. She was president of the Rockshire Homeowners Association for ten years.
She was predeceased by her husband, Roy D. Plesh; and a sister, Marcia Kaplan, the former “Miss Marcia.”
Surviving are a daughter, Susan and her husband, Kelly; a brother, Edward W. Rothman; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held in Rockville on May 14.
Contributions can be made to Suburban Hospital for the Critical Care Unit, 8600 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Betty J. Reiner
Betty J. Reiner, 81, of Tremont, formerly of Manheim and Muir, died Saturday, May 15, 2004, at Tremont Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Born in Muir, she was a daughter of the late Lewis and Annie Carl Lyons. She was a 1940 graduate of Porter-Tower High School.
She worked at Datcon Industries, East Petersburg, for many years, and was previously employed by Noggles Garment Factory, Manheim, and Donegal Industries, Mount Joy.
She was a member of Salem United Methodist Church, Manheim.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel C., in 1952; a sister, Arlene Morgan.
Surviving are a daughter, Glenna M. Bell of Manheim; a grandson; a granddaughter.
Services were private at the convenience of the family. Interment was in Grace United Methodist Cemetery, Muir. Buch Funeral Home Inc., Manheim, was in charge of arrangements.
Robert E. Rhoads
Robert E. Rhoads, 83, of Hegins, died Friday, May 21, 2004, at home.
Born in Drums, he was a son of the late Evan J. and Dora E. Diehl Rhoads.
He was a 1938 graduate of Hazleton High School and a 1945 graduate of West Chester State Teachers College with a bachelor's degree in music. He earned his master's degree in music from the University of Michigan in 1967 and earned his master's degree in guidance from Millersville University in 1968.
He retired from the Tri-Valley School District, where he was band director from 1947 through 1968. He was the marching band and concert band director, and taught elementary instrumental and vocal music. He served as interim principal for several months, was a shop teacher and for 30 years had been a guidance counselor, retiring in 1980.
He was a member of Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hegins, where he served as choir director for many years. He was a member of the Valley Lodge 797 F&AM; , Valley View, a former member of the Hegins Fire Company and a former member of the Hegins Rotary.
He organized the first Criterion Jazz Band at West Chester Teachers College, the Kilti Band at Tri-Valley Elementary School and the first Twin Valley Band. He was the author of the words and music for Tri-Valley's alma mater. He was also the director and drummer for a dance band in Florida for 13 years.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Paul J., who died in 2000.
Surviving are his wife, the former Mary L. Moore; a son, Dr. Robert E. of Pottsville, a daughter, Janey L. Wehry of Klingerstown; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a step-brother, Fred Lutze, Ocala, Fla.; a nephew.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 24, at Salem United Church of Christ Church, Klingerstown, with the Rev. Mark Rothermel officiating. Interment was in Salem Cemetery, Klingerstown.
Memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Home Care, 1510 Highway 61 South, Pottsville, PA 17901. Stephen R. Rothermel Funeral Home, Klingerstown, was in charge of arrangements.
Chester "Lee" Rowe
Chester Leroy Rowe, 70, of Halifax, died May 10, 2004, at Manor Care Nursing Center, Carlisle.
Surviving are three sons, James Leroy Frank of Harrisburg, Ronald Allen Frank of Halifax and Gerald Alan Rowe of California; a daughter, Rose Ann Rudy of Harrisburg; nine grandchildren; great-grandchildren; two sisters, Geri Ward of York Haven and Dot Wileman of York Springs; three nephews and two nieces.
A memorial service will be held in the Chapel at Rolling Green Memorial Park, Camp Hill at 11 a.m. on June 5, with Pastor Eric Yinst of Armstrong Valley Bible Church officiating. Interment will be at Rolling Green Memorial Park.
Memorial donations may be made to Armstrong Valley Bible Church, 2041 Armstrong Valley Road, Halifax, PA 17032.
Carl M. Stover
Carl M. Stover, 83, of Orwin, died Friday, May 21, 2004, at his home.
Born in Aaronsburg, he was a son of the late Edgar and Elsie Boob Stover.
He was a 1939 graduate of the former Porter Township High School.
He was a retired welder from Budd Co., Lebanon; and a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Reinerton.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane Machamer Stover, who died in 1983; a son, Ronald G. Stover; and a grandson, Troy Stover.
Surviving are two sons, Gerald C. Stover of Wiconisco, and David L. Stover of Orwin; a sister, Mae Spicher of Orwin; and eight grandchildren.
Graveside services were held Monday, May 24, at Greenwood Cemetery, Tower City, with the Rev. Russel Jones officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to Covenant Home Care, 1510 Highway 61 S., Pottsville, PA 17901. Dimon Funeral Homes, Inc., Tower City, was in charge of arrangements.
Abraham M. Stump
Abraham M. "Abie" Stump, 90, of Pine Grove, died Tuesday, May 18, 2004, at Pottsville Hospital.
Born in Washington Township, December 11, 1913, he was a son of the late Milton and Katie Herring Stump.
He was a farmer and also worked as an implement dealer for International from 1946-70.
He was a member of Schuylkill Church of the Brethren, Pine Grove.
He was preceded in death by three half-brothers, Elvin Hughes, Harvey Hughes and Norman Hughes; two half-sisters, Annie Stump and Alma Kintzel.
Surviving are his wife of 68 years, the former Mildred Brown; a son, Marlin of Schuylkill Haven; a daughter, Raydelle Sherman of Pine Grove; two grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Services were held Saturday, May 22, in Schuylkill Church of the Brethren, with the Rev. Calvin Roop and the Rev. Richard Hoffman officiating. Interment was in Schuylkill Church of the Brethren Cemetery, Pine Grove. H.L. Snyder Funeral Home Inc., Pine Grove, was in charge of arrangements.
Ray L. Stump
Ray L. Stump, 79, of Pine Grove, died Sunday, May 16, at Tremont Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Born in Washington Township, December 14, 1924, he was a son of the late Charles and Ellen Bretz Stump.
He was the owner and operator of Stump Sawmill, Pine Grove.
He was a member of Oak Grove Brethren Church.
He was preceded in death by four brothers, Ira, Charles, Harvey and Willis; three sisters, Ellen Stump, Cora Fenstermacher and Mamie Rhen.
Surviving are his wife of 55 years, the former Delphine Klinger; three sons, Ray E., Ronald Sr. and Terry, all of Pine Grove; six grandchildren; a great-grandchild.
Services were held Tuesday, May 18, from H.L. Snyder Funeral Home Inc., Pine Grove, with Brother Paul Hartz and Ronald Stump Jr. officiating. Interment was in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Pine Grove. H.L. Snyder Funeral Home Inc., Pine Grove, was in charge of arrangements.
