Luke H. Mertz
Luke H. Mertz, 62, of Ephrata, PA, passed away on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital. He was the loving husband of Barbara D. (Hess) Mertz for 32 years and son of the late John and Mabel (Heiser) Mertz.
Luke was born in Ephrata and graduated from Conestoga Valley High School.
He was a longtime D&E Telephone Co. employee, retiring from there in October of 2009. He was most recently employed by Worley & Obetz for seven years before officially retiring in April of 2016.
He was a Sunday school teacher and deacon at the Akron Church of the Brethren. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter. He enjoyed hunting on his friend's family farm in Pine Grove.
Most importantly, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be deeply missed.
In addition to his wife, Barbara, he is survived by four children: Jason S. Mertz (Melissa) of Elizabethtown, PA, Angela D. Susten (Scott) of Atlanta, GA, Caitlyn M. Ackley (Joshua) of Ephrata, PA, and Adam J. Mertz of Ephrata, PA; four grandchildren: Ryder, Hailey, Aidan, and Isabelle; two sisters: Ruth Leed and Mary Pernell, and seven brothers: Jacob, John, James, Paul, Mark, Sam, and Dave Mertz.
In addition to his parents, Luke was preceded in death by a sister, Anna Mertz.
Funeral services officiated by Pastor Tom Weber will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at the Akron Church of the Brethren, 613 Main St., Akron, PA 17501. The family will receive friends at the church before the service from 9-11 a.m. Place of interment will be Memory Gardens, E. Cocalico Twp., PA.
Those who desire may make donations in Luke's memory to the Akron Church of the Brethren at the above address.
Jean N. Bowman
Jean N. Bowman, 87, of Lebanon, PA and formerly of Lancaster, PA, passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at Juniper Village in Lebanon.
Born on March 24, 1930 in Columbia, PA, Jean was the daughter of the late Leroy and Lillian (Tomlinson) Nonnenmacher. Jean was the loving wife of the late Frank B. Bowman, Sr. who passed away May 23, 1999. They were wed on March 31, 1951 and shared 48 years of marriage together.
Jean enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.
Jean is survived by her daughter, Bonnie L. Lehman of Lebanon, PA, her son, Frank B. Bowman, Jr., companion of Kathy S. Hornberger, of Manheim, PA, three grandsons: Daniel G. Lehman, husband of Erin, of Baltimore, MD, Matthew G. Hornberger of Manheim, PA, and USMC LCpl Frank B. Bowman III of Camp Pendleton, CA; three great-grandchildren; and one half-brother, Robert L. Nonnenmacher.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at Gravenor Home For Funerals, 100 W. Main St., Ephrata, PA 17522. The family will receive friends before the service from 11:00 - 12:00. Place of interment will be Bowmans cemetery, Ephrata, PA.
Those who desire may make memorial contributions in Jean's name to Hospice For All Seasons, 280 South Hill Dr., Grantville, PA 17028.
Hazel E. Buckwalter
Hazel E. Buckwalter, 97, of Lititz, PA and formerly of Ephrata, PA, passed away on Monday, July 10, 2017 at Brethren Village.
Hazel was born in Ephrata on September 26, 1919, daughter of the late Jason and Eva (Zell) Buckwalter.
She graduated from Ephrata High School (Class of 1937) and the New York Institute of Photography.
Hazel was employed for many years at the former Miller Portrait Studio in Ephrata. She most recently worked at the former Ephrata Nursing Home before retiring. During her retirement she was a volunteer at Brethren Village.
She was a resident of Brethren Village since 1991 and attended the Brethren Village Chapel.
Hazel enjoyed inspirational writing, some of which is published.
She is survived by a number of nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family and are under the care of Paul L. Gravenor Home For Funerals, Ephrata, PA.
Marie Gerlach
Marie Gerlach, 90, of Talmage, PA, passed away Friday, July 7, 2017 at her home.
Born June 26, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Abner and Mary Blank. She is survived by two children; her son, Edward Gerlach, husband of Beth, and her daughter, Kelly Good, wife of Doug; as well as four grandchildren, Sheena, Gary, Melody, and Cody. Her daughter, Barbara, passed away in 2009.
Marie was a wonderful, loving mother and grandmother. She helped many people throughout the years working as a nurse's aide, and continued helping others even after retirement. She loved Jesus, and she loved her cats.
A graveside service will be held at Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens, 845 Laurel Hill Rd., Columbia, PA on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Mennonite Central Committee, one of Marie's favorite charities. Her favorite store was the Ephrata Re-Uzit Shop.
Mary A. Zaleskie
Mary A. (Malich) Zaleskie, 84, of Lititz, PA, passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at St. Anne's Retirement Community in Columbia, PA. She was the loving wife of Walter V. Zaleskie and daughter of the late John A. and Maria C. (Karcich) Malich.
Mary was born January 19, 1933 in New York City, NY. She was a graduate of Walton Girls High School in Bronx, NY.
Her first job was as a secretary with NY Bell Telephone Company in Bronx, NY. Mary later was employed as a quality control inspector at Hamilton Technology in Lancaster, PA and most recently she was an owner and officer at Cliffside Industries, Lititz, PA.
Mary was a member of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church in Ephrata, PA.
She was an avid reader, loved to travel, and in her later years enjoyed the visits of her family and friends.
Mary's proudest achievement was raising her daughters.
In addition to her husband, Walter, she is survived by two daughters, Ellen M., wife of Anthony A. Daulerio of Mount Laurel, NJ and Teresa A., wife of Duane E. Hartman of Ephrata, PA, and one brother, Bro. John J. Malich, F.M.S. of Esopus, NY.
Mary's family will receive friends at Gravenor Home For Funerals, 100 W. Main St., Ephrata, PA 17522 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 16th and from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. on Monday, July 17th.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 17th at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church, 320 Church Ave., Ephrata, PA 17522. Final Commendation and Farewell will be at the Lititz Moravian cemetery, 212 E. Main St., Lititz, PA 17543.
To honor Mary's support for Catholic Education, those who desire may make memorial donations to OMPH School, 330 Church Ave., Ephrata, PA 17522.
Dolores J. Lewis
Dolores J. Lewis, 85, of Ephrata, PA, passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at The Garden at Stevens.
Dolores was born to Paul and Maude (Bensing) Gelsinger on August 29, 1931 in Reading, PA and was the loving wife of Walter E. Lewis for 63 years.
She graduated from Ephrata High School in 1949 and the Reading Hospital School of Nursing in 1952. Dolores was an Operating Room Nurse at the Ephrata Community Hospital before she stopped nursing to raise her family. Most recently, she started and operated the Gift Shop at the former Akron Restaurant.
Dolores was a member of Bethany United Church of Christ in Ephrata, where she was a Choir Member and Sunday School Teacher. She was also formerly active as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader.
In addition to her husband, Walter, Dolores is survived by three children: Susan A. Lewis of Ephrata, PA, David P. Lewis (Nancy) of Akron, PA, and James W. Lewis (Eleanor) of Lititz, PA; four grandchildren: Benjamin D. Lewis (Heather), Alexandra R. Lewis, Tyler J. Lewis (Ashley), and Devin M. Lewis; and two great-grandsons: Cooper and Cameron Lewis.
Memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 1, 2017 at Bethany UCC, 140 E. Main St., Ephrata, PA 17522 with the Rev. William LaSalle officiating. The family will receive friends before the service from 3-4 p.m. There will also be a time of fellowship and light refreshments after the service in the church's social hall. Interment will be at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to Bethany UCC at the above address for the Deacons Fund; used to assist community need.
Shiela Dean (Deanie) Haldeman
Shiela Dean "Deanie" Haldman, 66, of Ephrata, PA, passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2017 after a long, hard, courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Hinton, West Virginia, Deanie was a daughter of the late James D. and Harietta (Kirk) Davis and wife of Randy L. Haldeman. She was a devoted wife who loved her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren immensely.
She was a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Ephrata and was a homemaker.
"I love my Lord. I never lose faith in my Lord."
In addition to her husband, Randy, Deanie is survived by one son, Larry Peters (Ann) of Conestoga, PA; eight grandchildren: Randell, Renee, Richelle, Makinsay, Jadyn, McKenna, Aleesha, and Joshua; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Joan Eckman of Landisville, PA; and two brothers: Dennis Davis (Laura) of Columbia, PA, and Albert Strubel of Columbia, PA.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three daughters: Debra Peters, Danielle Peters, and one stillborn daughter.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 30, 2017 at Liberty Baptist Church, 47 Cindia Lane, Ephrata, PA 17522. Friends will be received before the service from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Place of interment will be Middle Creek Brethren cemetery.
Donations in Deanie's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society or Liberty Baptist Church.
Roy Sweigart, 88, WWII veteran
Roy Sweigart, 88, of Denver, passed away Monday, May 16, 2011 at the Lebanon V.A. Medical Center.
Born in Lancaster County, he was the son of the late Irvin and Alma (Fry) Sweigart.
Roy was a member of the Reamstown Athletic Club and the Reinholds VFW. A self-employed brick layer, he had served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He is survived by his companion: Helen E. Martin, of Denver; his son: Roy L. Sweigart, of Reinholds; his daughter: Bonnie, wife of Leslie Nafziger, of Ephrata; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife: Alma Sweigart in 1985.
Funeral services were held May 23 at Roseboro Stradling Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Smeltz officiating. Burial took place in Indiantown Gap National cemetery with full military honors.
Memorial contributions in Roy’s memory may be made to the V.A. Hospice Center, c/o Lebanon V.A. Medical Center, 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon, PA 17042.
Arrangements were made by Roseboro Stradling Funeral & Cremation Services Inc.
John Sweigart, 98, business owner
John J. Sweigart, 98, formerly of Denver, passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at United Zion Retirement Community in Lititz.
Born in Denver, he was the son of the late Scott S. and Ida E. (Hartman) Sweigart. He was the husband of the late Lillie M. (Hertzog) Sweigart, who passed away in 2004.
John was the oldest and longest living charter member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Denver, where he had served as a Sunday school teacher for many years.
John was a former volunteer for Red Cross and traveled locally and nationally to assist in disaster relief. He was chaplain at Ephrata Community Hospital and also volunteered in other capacities. He was a former Denver Lions Club member and past president. He was the last of his Denver High School Class of 1931.
John and his wife owned and operated Sweigart’s Market for 35 years. He was also a counselor and business manager at the United Methodist Church Camp in Mt. Gretna.
He is survived by his two children: Harold J., husband of Virginia A. Bard, of Fort Mill, S.C.; and Eileen J., wife of John W. Schindewolf, of Cheshire, Conn.; numberous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren.
Mary Stauffer, 87, business owner
Mary E. Stauffer
Mary Elizabeth (Steffy) Stauffer, 87, of New Holland, passed away Monday, May 16, 2011 at Lancaster General Hospital.
She was born in Gordonville, the daughter of the late George and Mary (Myers) Steffy. She is survived by her husband, Clarence Stauffer, of New Holland.
Mary was a member of Metzler Mennonite Church in Ephrata. She was an integral part of the family business, C.S. Stauffer and Sons Inc. She enjoyed camping, wrote poetry and was a 25-year member of TOPS. She was also an animal lover, who loved her dogs.
Mary is survived by four sons: Bruce Stauffer, husband of Joan (McFarland), of Akron; Clare Stauffer, husband of Peg (Brown), of Brownstown; C. Lavern Stauffer, husband of Loretta (Lapp), of Ephrata; and Mahlon Stauffer, husband of Linda (Kreider), of Paradise; 11 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held May 21 at Metzler Mennonite Church with Pastor Nevin Horning officiating. Interment followed in adjoining church cemetery.
Arrangements were made by Stradling Funeral Homes Inc., Akron/Ephrata.
