George W. Shirey Jr., 71
Services were held in the Hill Funeral Home, Rehrersburg, for George W. Shirey Jr., of Old Mountain Road, Bethel Township, who died of natural causes Nov. 11, 2003 in Reading Hospital, where he had been a patient three weeks.
Burial was in Altalaha Church cemetery, Rehrersburg.
He was the husband of Idalene M. (Brown) Shirey.
Born in Strutters, Ohio, he was a son of Naomi (Howell) Shirey, New York City, and the late George W. Shirey Sr.
Until retiring in 1999, he was employed in truck repair by the Parish Structural Products Division of Dana Corp., Reading, for 21 years.
He was a Korean War Marine Corps veteran.
Also surviving are a daughter, Denise M. (Shirey) Heckrote, Palmyra, Lebanon County; and four sons: George W. Shirey III, Womelsdorf; John P. Shirey and David L. Shirey, both of Bethel; and Paul E. Shirey, Shillington.
There are also eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a brother, David Shirey, New York City.
Debra Y. Christman, 49
Memorial services were held in the Leibensperger Funeral Home, Hamburg, for Debra Y. Christman, of Reading, who died of natual causes Nov. 12, 2003 in the residence of a son, Troy D. Christman, Mountain View Lane, Windsor Township, after a lengthy illness.
Burial was in Zion’s cemetery, Perry Township.
Born in Reading, she was a daughter of Louise P. (Mauger) Folk, Windsor Township, and the late James F. Fair.
She was a 1972 graduate of Reading High School.
Christman was employed as a secretary.
She was a member of Zion’s United Church of Christ, Perry Township.
In addition to her son, she is also survived by a daughter, Heather L. (Christman) Gruber, Fleetwood.
Other survivors include a brother, Scott B. Folk, Tilden Township, and a sister, Donna L. (Fair) Loose, in South Carolina.
There is also her stepfather, Alton G. Folk, Windsor Township.
Mary R. Emerich, 92
Services were arranged by the Auman Funeral Home, Reading, for Mary R. Emerich, formerly of Reading, who died Nov. 12, 2003 in Laurel Center Genesis Elder Care, Tilden Township, where she had resided since 1997.
She was predeceased by her husband, Winfield C. Emerich, who died Oct. 30, 1969.
Until retiring, she was employed as a seamstress by various businesses in the Reading area for many years.
She was a member of Alsace Lutheran Church, Hyde Park.
Surviving are two sons, Ronald W. Heckman, Downingtown, and Booke R. Heckman, Kennett Square, Chester County.
There are also two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Anna M. Krammes, 77
Graveside services were held in Manbeck’s cemetery, Washington Township, Schuylkill County, for Anna M. Krammes, who died Nov. 12, 2003 in her Old Route 22, Bethel Township residence.
She was predeceased by her husband, Elmer M. Krammes, who died April 28, 2001.
Born in Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, she was a daughter of the late William and Jennie (Watkins) Dutter.
Surviving are six daughters: Carol M. (Krammes) Stichter, Hamburg; Janice M. (Krammes) Herrington, Bethel; Gloris J. (Krammes) Himmelberger, Rehrersburg; Kathy A. Krammes Bernville; Sharon L. (Krammes) Roeder, Strausstown; and Susan L. (Krammes) Naftzinger, with whom she last resided.
There are also 11 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a sister, Marian (Dutter) Gassert, Pine Grove.
The Kirkhoff Funeral Home, Bernville, was in charge of arrangements.
June M. Jones, 77
Services were held in Grace (Alsace) United Church of Christ, Hyde Park, for June M. Jones, of Boeing Avenue, Bern Township, who died Nov. 12, 2003 in Reading Hospital, where she had been a patient since Sept. 2.
Burial was in Laureldale cemetery, Tuckerton.
She was predeceased by her husband, Kermit M. Jones, who died July 5, 1997.
Born in Reading, she was a daughter of the late George F. and Helen E. (Jesberg) Merget.
Until retiring in 1980, he was employed as a cashier by Boscov’s Department Stores at its Sinking Spring and Muhlenberg Township stores.
She was a member of Grace (Alsace) UCC, where she was president of the 50+ club from 1996-97 and vice-president from 1998-99.
Surviving are two sons, David G. Jones, Bernville, and Richard L. Jones, Jefferson City, Mo.; and a daughter, Beth A. Jones, with whom she last resided.
There are also two grandchildren.
The Bean Funeral Home, Reading, was in charge of arrangements.
Julia R. Walters, infant
Private services were arranged by the Leibensperger Funeral Home, Hamburg, for Julia R. Walters, infant daughter of Jeffrey T. Walters and Joyce I. Heffner, of Washington Street, Hamburg, who was stillborn Nov. 12, 2003 in Reading Hospital.
Burial was in St. John’s (Gernant’s) cemetery, Ontelaunee Township.
Also surviving are her paternal grandparents, Harry M. Jr. and Doris M. (Riegel) Walters, Tilden Township, and her maternal grandparents, Wilson R. and Mary E. (Ohlinger) Heffner, Maidencreek Township.
There is also her paternal great-grandmother, Irene M. (Sieger) Riegel, Shoemakersville.
Jay R. Kunkel, 55
Services were held in the Burkey & Driscoll Funeral Home, Hamburg, for Jay R. Kunkel, who died Nov. 14, 2003 in his State Street, Hamburg residence.
Burial was in St. John’s cemetery, Hamburg.
Born in West Reading, he was a son of the late George W. and Arietta A. (Heckman) Kunkel.
Last working in 1991, he had been employed by Wright’s Knitwear, Hamburg, as a truck driver.
Kunkel was a Vietnam War Army veteran.
Surviving are a daughter, Stacey A. Kunkel, and a son, Jason A. Kunkel, both of Upper Tulpehocken Township.
Other survivors include a sister, Patricia A. (Kunkel) Easterbrook, Mohrsville, and a brother, Ronald G. Kunkel, Windsor Township.
Estella M. Davis, 89
Services were held in Lamm & Witman Funeral Home Inc., Wernersville, for Estella M. Davis, formerly of Penn Avenue, West Lawn, who died March 21, 2004 in her residence of her daughter, Janet M. (Davis) Pawling, on Beacon Road, South Heidelberg Township. Burial was in Pleasant View cemetery, Spring Township.
Born in Strausstown, she was a daughter of the late George and Sallie (Rollman) Winters.
Davis graduated in 1932 from Bernville High School.
She was employed locally in private duty housekeeping for many years.
Davis was a life-member of the Mount Pleasant Fire Company ladies auxiliary.
Also surviving are three sons: Richard D., West Lawn; Robert G., Temple; and Paul W. Sr., Reading.
There are 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by a brother, Harold G. Winters, Sarasota, Fla.
Ralph N. Grube, Sr., 84
Services were held in the Sanders Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc. for Ralph N. Grube, who died March 15, 2004 in his residence on Degler Avenue, Leesport, following an illness of six weeks. Burial was in Forest Hills Memorial Park, Reiffton.
He was the husband of Phyllis I. (Becker) Grube.
Born in Reading, he was a son of the late Harry and Maggie (Hartman) Grube.
Until his retirement in 1981, Grube was employed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., Pottstown, for 35 years.
An Army veteran, he received three Bronze Star medals.
Grube was a member of Rosedale United Church of Christ, Laureldale.
Surviving are a son, Ralph N. Jr., Bethel; and a daughter, Linda P. (Grube) Heffner, Leesport.
There are two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are two sisters, Helen (Grube) Wineland, Wyomissing, and Ruth (Grube) Fisher, Reading.
Wayne S. Long, 75
Services were held in Nativity Lutheran Church, Reading, for Wayne S. Long of Poinciana Avenue, Riverview Park, who died of natural causes March 20, 2004 in his residence. Burial was in Mount Lebanon cemetery, Lebanon.
He was the husband of Janet L. (Hamilton) Long.
Born in Cleona, Lebanon County, he was a son of the late Harvey I. and Mary M. (Shenk) Long.
Long was a 1946 graduate of Lebanon High School. He received an electrical engineering degree from the Drexel Institute of Technology, Philadelphia, in 1951.
Until his retirement in 1991, Long had been employed as an electrical engineer by NGK Metals Corp., Tuckerton, for 18 years, last working as engineering and maintenance manager. Previously, he worked for Reading Tube Corp., Ontelaunee Township, and Metropolitan Edison Co., Muhlenberg Township.
He was past secretary of the Muhlenberg Ambulance Board, and was treasurer of the Muhlenberg Lions Club, where he was also a past president.
He was past master of Chandler Lodge 227, Free and Accepted Masons, Reading.
Long was an Army veteran of the Korean War.
He was a member of Nativity Lutheran Church.
Surviving is a brother, Harvey, Rockville, Md.
He was predeceased by a daughter, Susan L. Long, in 1975.
Bean Funeral Homes Inc., Reading, was in charge of arrangements.
