Jean Feree, 66, Cocalico teacher, social worker
Jean Ann Ferree, 66, of Reinholds, passed away September 28, 2012 at Ephrata Manor. She was the beloved wife of Gene R. Ferree with whom she shared 43 years of marriage.
Born in Wyomissing, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth W. and May (Bohn) Ganser.
She was a 1964 graduate of Wyomissing High School and a 1968 graduate of Shippensburg University, with a degree in elementary education. She worked as a teacher for Cocalico and Reading school districts and retired as a social worker at MH/MR in Lebanon.
Jean loved spending time with her family. She also loved animals and cared for many pets over the years. Her other interests included music, gardening, reading, and needlepoint.
In addition to her husband, Gene, she is survived by two sons: David R., husband of Kimberly T. Ferree, of Havertown; and Brian C. Ferree, of Ephrata; two daughters: Rebecca L. Ferree, of Lititz; and Michelle A., wife of Marc Komlos, of Boca Raton, Fla.; a sister: Susan A.. wife of Ronald Horvat, of Zion; and two nieces: Sarah A. Horvat, of Allentown; and Emily E. Horvat, of Philadelphia.
James Butler, truck driver
James J. Butler, 75, of Ephrata, formerly of New Holland, died Friday, Sept. 21, 2012 at the Lebanon VA Hospital. His wife, Margit E. (Fahndrich) Butler, died on November 22, 2011.
Born in Chester County, he was the son of the late James J. and Ruth Butler.
He was a truck driver for most of his life.
Surviving are four children: Rick Butler, of Florida; Tina Arters, of Brandamore; Ruthie McLucas, of Honey Brook; and Debbie Spotts, of Ephrata; nine grandchildren; one great- grandchild; four stepchildren: William Price, of Honey Brook; Gerald Price, of Mohnton; Sharleen Spohn, of Ephrata; Howard Price, Jr., of Honey Brook; 15 step-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; and a brother: Robert Butler.
He was preceded in death by a brother: Charles.
A graveside service was held Oct. 2 at Indiantown Gap National cemetery, Annville. Kindly omit flowers. If desired, memorial contributions in his memory may be made to any VA Medical Center.
To post condolences, visit groffeckenroth.com.
Violet Brubaker, Ephrata, member of Denver Orioles
Violet L. Brubaker, 98, of Ephrata, passed away Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 at Ephrata Manor.
She was born in Ephrata to the late Harvey and Stella (Balmer) Witmyer and was the wife of the late Isaac L. Brubaker, who died on 1997.
Violet was a lifetime member of the Denver Orioles Nest #54. She enjoyed football and she was an avid Steelers fan.
She is survived by her children: Karen L., wife of Loran J. Getz, of Denver; Gail A. Brubaker, of Ephrata; Michael L., husband of Deborah K. Brubaker, of Denver; Susan L. Campell, of Ephrata; three grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her sister: Edith Brendle.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are being made by Roseboro Stradling Funeral & Cremation Services Inc., Denver. Online condolences can be given at roseborostradling.com.
Nancy Brezina, receptionist
Nancy Jean Brezina, 46, of Lititz, passed away Friday, Sept. 28, 2012 in Lancaster.
She was born in Upper Darby to the late Milton and Agnes Miller and was the wife of Frank Brezina Jr. The couple would have celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary this coming Oct. 4.
Nancy was a graduate of Archbishop Prendergast High School, class of 1984. She was a member Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, ladies auxiliary for Knights of Columbus, was an avid Philadelphia Flyers fan and was a devoted wife, mother and friend.
Nancy worked as a receptionist/secretary for Sager & Swisher Accounting Firm of Lancaster.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons: Francis John Brezina III and Michael Paul Brezina; and a daughter: Lauren Katherine Brezina, all at home; four brothers: Charles Miller, of Upper Darby; Daniel Miller, of Womelsdorf; William Miller, of Springfield; and Michael Miller, of Chester.
A visitation will be held Oct. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Stradling Funeral Home, 201 Church Ave., Ephrata. An additional viewing will be held Oct. 4 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, with a prompt departure at 10:45 a.m. for a mass of Christian burial celebration at 11 a.m. at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 320 Church Ave., Ephrata, with Father John McLoughlin, C.SS.R., as celebrant. Final commendation and farewell will be held in the Cedar Hill cemetery.
A. Arlene Bollinger, 95, Howard Johnson cook
A. Arlene Bollinger, 95, of Mifflinburg, formerly of Schoeneck, passed away Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012 at Evangelical Hospital, Lewisburg.
She was born in East Earl Township to the late Charles and Carrie (Zerbe) Becker and was the widow of Rufus E. Bollinger, who died in December, 1993.
Arlene was a member of Mellingers Lutheran Church and had attended the Cowen Trinity Lutheran Church, Cowen. She was also a former member of the Schoeneck Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. For many years, Arlene worked as a short order cook at Howard Johnson in Denver.
She is survived by her sons: Robert L., husband of Verna R. (Krimes) Bollinger, of Mifflinburg; Clifford E., husband of Frances Bollinger, of Denver; H. Sidney, husband of Barbara (Meckley) Bollinger, of Mifflinburg; and John C. Bollinger, of Key West, Fla.; 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son: Richard Bollinger; and a grandson: Michael Bollinger.
A funeral service was held Sept. 27 at the Mellingers Lutheran Church, Stevens, with Rev. Timothy Craven officiating. Burial took place in the Mellingers Union cemetery.
Arrangements were made by Roseboro Stradling Funeral & Cremation Services Inc., Denver.
Anna Weaver, 88, Ephrata
Anna N. Weaver, 88, of Ephrata, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012 at her residence.
She was born in Leola to the late Daniel B. and Magdalena S. (Nolt) Newswanger and was the wife of the late Alvin H. Weaver, who died in 2011.
Anna was a member of the Martindale Mennonite Church, Groffdale Conference.
She is survived by her sons: Ivan, husband of Nancy (Martin), of Bethel; Titus, husband of Mary (Leid), of Ephrata; and Raymond, husband of Edna (Hoover), of Mifflinburg; daughters: Alma, wife of Harvey Shirk, of Narvon; Rachel, wife of Landis Burkholder, of Kutztown; and Mary, wife of Elam Nolt of Ephrata; sisters: Mary N. Martin, of Ephrata; and Lydia, wife of John J. Hoover, of Denver; 36 grandchildren; and 84 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Anna was preceded in death by a twin brother: Samuel Newswanger; brothers: Eli, Adam and Henry Newswanger; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Oct. 15 at the home of Elam Nolt, Ephrata, with further services from the Martindale Old Order Mennonite Church, Groffdale Conference with Bishop Titus H. Martin and Bishop Ammon Z. Weaver officiating. Interment took place in the adjoining church cemetery.
Orrin Thompson, farmer, veteran, Lucent retiree
Orrin A. Thompson, 73, of Denver, and formerly of Salunga, passed away at the M.S. Hershey Medical Center Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012 following a brief illness.
Born in Madison, Minn., he was the son of the late Conrad and Marist Mebust Thompson.
He was a member of Zoar Lutheran Church of Revillo, S.D. Orrin served in the U.S. Air Force. A farmer most of his life, he retired from Lucent Tech of Reading.
He is survived by his children: Christopher (Martha) Thompson, of Clarkfield, Minn.; Jay Thompson, of Revillo, S.D.; Andrew (Mickie) Thompson, of Bellingham, Minn.; Kristi (Matt) Darkes, of Reamstown; Nicole (Jason) Sheetz, of New Holland; eight grandchildren; and a brother: Donald Thompson, Stowe, Vt.
A gathering was held at the Nissley Funeral Home, Mount Joy, Oct. 13.
William Simmons, served in Korea, Markline retiree
William E. Simmons, 80, entered into rest at 7:19 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012 at Lancaster General Hospital.
He was the husband of the late Reba H. (Knudsen) Simmons. Born May 24, 1932 in York, he was the son of the late John A. and Florence (Byerts) Simmons.
Bill served in the U.S. Army during Korea. He was a trash collector for Fetrow Trash of Dover for many years and retired after ten years at Markline of Ephrata. Bill enjoyed being with his family and friends, loved watching NASCAR racing on TV and was an animal lover.
Bill is survived by his three daughters: Gail L., wife of Charles H. Walker, of Lancaster; Sandra D., wife of E. John Stough, of Manchester; and Donna L., widow of Nolan (Nick) Reves, of York; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Donald, husband of Bobbie Simmons; and Gary, husband of Jean Simmons; a sister: Gloria, widow of Charles Covert; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by an infant son: William E. Simmons Jr.; grandson: Charles H. Walker IV; brothers: John and Clarence Simmons; and sisters: Catherine McClintock, Pauline Chronister and Betsy McVaugh.
Justin Mastroianni, 22, Denver hunter, fisherman
Justin Taylor Mastroianni, 22, of Denver, passed away Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012.
Born in Huntingdon Valley, he was the son of John Anthony Mastroianni and Dawn M. (Scott) Dombach.
Justin was an avid hunter, trapper, and fisherman.
Surviving along with his parents is brother: Nicholas Mastroianni; sister: Nicole, wife of John Wesner; nephew: Gavin Wesner; grandparents: John and Rosemarie Mastroianni and Ronald and Mary Scott; stepfather: Brian Dombach; aunt: Doreen Simmerman; and uncle: Ronald Scott Jr.
A funeral service was celebrated Oct. 13 at Catagnus Funeral Home & Cremation Center Ltd., Royersford. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catagnus Funeral Home & Cremation Center Ltd., 329 N. Lewis Road, Royersford, PA 19468, in Justin’s memory, to defray funeral costs.
View obituaries or send condolences at catagnusfuneralhomes.com.
Dorothy Lefever, Moyer worker, in The Happy Trio
Dorothy Lefever, 83, of Ephrata, died Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012 in Ephrata Community Hospital.
Born in Smokestown, she was a daughter of the late Harry S. and Mamie (Althouse) Lefever.
She worked 27 years for Ship-n-Shore, Ephrata, and last for W.W. Moyer. Dorothy, a local entertainer, played guitar and sang with The Happy Trio for over 40 years and with Dottie & The Country Sounds and The Old Timers.
Surviving are a son: Donald, wife of Tina (Weaver) Lefever, of Denver; daughters: Diana Simon, of Washington; and twins Sharon, wife of George Styer, of Sinking Spring; and Karen, wife of Scott Artz, of Bird in Hand; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson.
She was predeceased by a grandson: Donovan Lefever; and brother: Lester Lefever.
Funeral services were held Oct. 17 from Good Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, Reamstown, with Rev. Robert A. Kramer officiating. Burial took place in Hammer Creek Mennonite cemetery.
For more information, visit goodfuneral.com.
Robert Heckler, Ephrata Manor, RCA technician
Robert N. "Bud" Heckler, 92, of Ephrata Manor, Ephrata, formerly of Lancaster, died calmly in the presence of family Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012.
Born in Philadelphia, the son of Isaiah E. and Annie Moyer, he proudly served his country during World War II in the Army Air Corps.
After a short time at Ohio University, he worked for RCA as a phosphor technician until he retired in 1982. He was the husband of the late Joanne Harnish Heckler and a resident of Lancaster County since 1947. Those who knew him, will remember "Bud" Heckler for the energy of his extraordinary generosity, kindness, and caring. His warm laugh, ready smile, regular crew cut and his ever-present eagerness to help friends, neighbors and even strangers, in any way characterized this gentle man. In his care for his wife until her death of the complications of MS in 1992, he was the model of the man who keeps his word, faithfully fulfilling the marriage vows he made to his beloved friend long before he knew all that would one day be asked of him.
He is survived by his daughter: Deborah, wife of Steven James Weibley, of Chelmsford, Mass.; and his grandson: Joshua Caleb, of Brooklyn, N.Y., as well as Roben Voigt, his cherished nephew.
