Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Col. Frank R. Kerr
WINTER PARK, Fla. — Col. Frank R. Kerr, 83, of Orlando, Fla., died Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005.
Born March 3, 1921, in McVeytown, he was a son of the late Cpl. Ira R. and Mae Kerr.
Col. Kerr is survived by: his loving wife of 59 years, Marnie (Forsythe); daughter Terri Tressler; son-in-law, Daniel; grandchildren, Lauren and Ryan Tressler; sister and brother-in-law, Doris (Dodie) and Dean Davis, Mechanisburg; and brother and sister-in law, Ira and Barbara Kerr, Lansdale.
Col. Kerr received degrees from the University of Maryland, the Air Force War College, the International Relations Review at Oxford University, England; and a masters degree from Rollins College.
Col. Kerr flew B-24 bombers in Europe during WWII and served during Korean and Vietnam conflicts.
Col. Kerr relocated to Florida when he retired in 1972, after a serving 30 years in the U.S. Air Force.
Col. Kerr also served as a special military advisor to NATO in Ramstein, Germany.
Col. Kerr was a teacher for the Orange County Public School for 10 years.
Col. Kerr was a member of the Air Force Association, the Retired Officer’s Association, a 50-year member of Masonic Lodge #376, McVeytown, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite and a member of Conway United Methodist Church.
Col. Kerr’s funeral services were held Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2005, with full military honors and Masonic rite. His burial was at Glen Haven Memorial Park, Winter Park, Fla.
Roy R. Potter
MCALISTERVILLE — Roy R. Potter, 68, of McAlisterville HC 63, entered into eternal rest at 5:00 a.m. Friday, Jan. 14, 2005, at Brookline Manor, Mifflintown RR1.
Born January 20, 1936 in Monroe Township, Juniata Co., he was a son of the late Marlin S. and Laura (Ehrisman) Potter.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy J. (Benner) Potter; one son, Alan R. Potter and wife, Heidi of Middleburg; one daughter, Anne E. Feltman and husband, Rod of McAlisterville RR 1; brothers and sisters , Dale M. Potter, New Bloomfield, Roger L. Potter, McAlisterville, Lorraine M. Lauver, McAlisterville, Lois E. Potter, Alexandria, Va.; and two granddaughters, Michaela and Tara.
He was preceded in death by: one brother, Donald L. Potter.
He was a 1953 graduate of Fayette High School and a veteran of the US Army, serving from 1958 to 1961. He had worked for Kimbob and Pavex, Inc. and retired from the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 542 as a heavy equipment operator.
He also owned and operated a beef and poultry farm.
He was a member of Stony Run Mission Church, but recently had been attending the Church of the Open Door in Evandale.
He was a member of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. He enjoyed hunting and spending time with his granddaughters. Much of his time and energy in recent years was spent helping to provide clothes and household goods for needy families in the country of Mexico.
His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Church of the Open Door, Evandale with Rev. Alan Potter, Pastor Jerry Knouse, and Rev. George Swartz officiating. Interment will be in Goodwill Cemetery, Bunkertown where military honors will be provided by the Juniata County Veterans Council. There will be a viewing from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Guss Funeral Home, 20 S. Third St., Mifflintown and on Monday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the services.
Memorial contributions may be made to Jesus to the World Video Ministry in care of Donald Wagner, 4101 West Expressway 83, Lot 86, McAllen, TX 78503.
Lillian B. Gray
LEWISTOWN — Lillian B. Gray, 94, of 1 Amstutz Circle, Lewistown, died at 2:35 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005, at Ohesson Manor Nursing Home.
Born Oct. 26, 1910, in Yeagertown, she was a daughter of the late W. Thomas and Mary Alice (Price) Baker. She was preceded in by her husbands, Gerald Bailey in 1955, and Blair R. Gray in 1998.
Surviving are: two nephews, Karl Baker and wife, Karen, Lancaster, and Tom Baker and wife, Pamela, Lewistown.
She was also preceded in death by: two brothers , David H. Baker and Karl T. Baker.
She was a graduate of Shippensburg Normal School with a teaching certificate. Early in life she was a school teacher and from 1945 to 1975 she owned and operated Lewistown Appliance Center.
She was a member of Holy Communion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Yeagertown, and a member of the PA Association of School Retirees and the Mifflin County Chapter PA School Retirees.
Her funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17, 2005, at the Heller-Hoenstine Woodlawn Funeral Home, 200 N. Main St., Lewistown, with the Rev. Philip C. Tundel officiating. Interment will be in Juniata Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. Monday until the time of service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to: Holy Communion Evangelical Lutheran Church, N. Main St., Yeagertown, PA 17099.
Harry A. Wray
LEWISBURG — Harry Allen Wray, 94, of Riverview Manor and River Woods since 1988, died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2004.
He was born April 3, 1909 in Lewistown, the youngest child of James Allen and Mary Ellen (Snook) Wray.
He was a 1926 graduate of Lewistown High School, earned his bachelor of science degree in 1930 from Albright College and a master’s degree in chemistry in 1932 from Colubia University, New York City.
Mr. Wray taught chemistry at Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY; at Lewistown High School; and the Pennsylvania State University, Pottsville campus.
From 1944 to 1974, he was employed as an industrial chemist at DuPont and Co. in Philadelphia.
For many years, he was a consultant for the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), served on several committees andwasa representative at international conferences, for which he received numerous awards, including their Award of Merit for outstanding work for the advancement of chemical standards in the United States.
Surviving is his second wife, Edith Elizabeth (Monaban) Munyon, who he married in 1964 in Philadelphia. She is a resident of Rosemont Presbyterian Village.
Also surviving are one daughter, Mary Ellen Dalby of Brighton, Co.; one son, Edwing Michael Wray of Nurham, N.C.; two stepdaughters, Elaine Turner of Media and Jane Crabtree of Marietta, GA; nine grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; nieces; and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers , two sisters , and his first wife, the former Norma Ellen Michael, who he married in 1934 in Lemoyne.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Gary H. Cronrath Funeral Home Inc., South Second and St. Louis streets, Lewisburg.
Burial will be in Great Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Malvern.
C. Frank Crowder
CHATTANOOGA, TN — Former Lewistown residentC. Frank Crowder, 87, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2004 at Memorial North Park Hospital, Chattanooga. Graveside services will be Friday at Manchester (Tenn.) City Cemetery.
Mr. Crowder worked for Arrow Shirt Company for 35 years in Atlanta, Minnesota and Pennsylvania . He retired in Lewistown in 1982 as purchasing agent for Arrow’s Pennsylvania division.
Most of Mr. Crowder’s career was spent in Lewistown, where he was active in civic work and public service. He was president of the Easter Seal Society and served as a loaned executive to United Way.
Mr. Crowder helped start Lewistown Church of Christ, where he was a member.
In the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, he was awarded a lifetime membership in recognition of his service to Ledge No. 663 in Lewistown, including a term as Exalted Ruler.
Mr. Crowder is credited with authoring a ceremony ritual for the presentation of an American flag to each Boy Scout who attains the rank of Eagle Scout. He presented more than 300 flags to Eagle Scouts in central Pennsylvania , and the Grand Lodge of B.P.O.E. adopted the ceremony for use nationally.
Mr. Crowder was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Sara Lewis Chumbley Crowder. He is survived by two sons , Charles Creed Crowder and wife Denese, Chattanooga, TN, and Carl Chumbley Crowder and wife Mary, Lewistown; a daughter, Charlotte Crowder Durham, Hillsboro, TN; six grandchildren, including Randy Crowder and Carla Warner, both of Lewistown; and nine great-grandchildren, including Ellery and Katie Crowder and Nathaniel Dillon, all of Lewistown.
Born Oct. 8, 1916, Mr. Crowder was a graduate of Central High School in Manchester, TN and McKenzie Business College in Chattanooga, TN.
During World War II he served with the U.S. Army for 42 months and was discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Manchester Funeral Home had charge of services.
Betty K. Chapman
AMHERST, OH — Betty K. Chapman, 71, of Amherst, OH died Saturday, Jan. 24, 2003 at Community Healthy Partners, following a long illness.
She was born in Pennsylvania and resided in Amherst since 1959. She was a daughter of the late Charles A. and Hazel G. (WIlson) Dean. Her husband, Kenneth Chpaman, preceded her in death in 1978.
Surviving are her brothers , Charles A. and Larry E. Dean, both of Lewistown and a grandson.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Theresa Swietzer, in 1997 and a brother, George Dean, in 2003.
For 15 years she was a nurses aide at Lorain Community Hospital. She enjoyed working crossword puzzles.
A private family interment will be held at First Methodist Cemetery, Lewistown.
Garland-Misencik Funeral Home, Amherst, OH, is in charge of arrnagements.
Charles E. Rhoads
WINFIELD — Mr. Charles Edward “Charlie” Rhoads, 82, of RR #1, Winfield, Monroe Township, Snyder County entered into eternal rest at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004 in the Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg where he had been hospitalized since Jan. 21.
Mr. Rhoads was born in Juniata County on June 17, 1921 the son of the late Norman Lee and Esther (Weidenmoyer) Rhoads. On Jan. 1, 1939, he was married to the former Ferne Hendricks who preceded him Dec. 11, 2000. He married on April 20, 1985 the former Arla I. (Maurer) Trevitz, who preceded him on July 19, 2003.
He was educated at Stahl’s grammar schoolhouse.
Mr. Rhoads was engaged in farming until 1965. He was then employed for 26 years at Zimmer Homes, Selinsgrove where he did electrical work for the company until his retirement in 1991.
He was a member of The Sound of the Gospel Church, RR #2, Park Road, Selinsgrove for over 22 years.
He was a loving Father who enjoyed time spent with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Charlie was an out-going, friendly people person who also enjoyed camping, attending carnivals and auctions.
Surviving are children Richard E. Rhoads and wife Sandra, Mifflintown, Roy E. “Eddie” Rhoads and wife Phyllis, Selinsgrove, Clair A. Rhoads and wife Carolyn, Mt. Pleasant Mills, Stephen D. Rhoads and wife Jennifer, Sunbury and Ann Graybill and husband Gary, Richfield; step-children Henry A., Sr. and wife Carolyn Maurer, Selinsgrove, Gale A. Kline and husband Edward L. II, Selinsgrove and Pamela K. Deem and husband Dale, Selinsgrove; 20 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; a brother Donald Rhoads and wife Yvonne, Mifflintown; sisters Florence White ley, Harrisburg and Arlene Good, Englewood Isles, FL; and 3 generations of nieces and nephews.
Mr. Rhoads was preceded in death by sisters Shirley Rhoads, at birth, Dorothy Heckard and Anna Mae Keller.
There will be no viewing.
A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday at 2 p.m. at The Sound of the Gospel Church, RR #2, Selinsgrove with Dr. Todd BR. Zike officiating and Pastor Kii Fisher assisting.
Burial will be at a later date in Richfield Union Cemetery at the discretion of the family.
Should friends desire, memorial gifts may be directed in loving memory of Mr. Rhoads to The Sound of the Gospel Church, Park Road, RR #2, Box #190, Selinsgrove, PA 17870.
Funeral arrangements were made by The George P. Garman Funeral Home, Inc, Mt. Pleasant Mills.
Lee Foster Faust
LEWISTOWN — Lee Foster Faust, 90, of 421 Princeton Street, Lewistown died at 5:15 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26, 2004 at Beverly Healthcare-William Penn.
Born Dec. 6, 1913 in Shamokin, he was a son of the late Foster F. and Lillian S. (Jones) Faust. His wife, Anna J. (Mowery) Faust preceded him in death Feb. 1, 1993.
Surviving are children Mrs. George (Joann) Evans, Estero, FL and Mrs. Gary (Peggy) Welling, Syracuse, NY; 6 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded death by a son, Charles F. Faust in 1969, a brother, Donald D. Faust and a sister, Elva Glick.
He served in the U.S. Army in World War II.
He was an electrician at the American Viscose Corporation from 1945-1975, retiring after 30 years of service.
He was an avid golfer and a former member of the Mt. Union Country Club and Lost Creek Golf Club.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Heller-Hoenstine Woodlawn Funeral Home, 200 N. Main St., Lewistown with the Rev. Gary C. Welling officiating. Interment will be in the Juniata Memorial Park.
Friends may call from noon until the time of the service on Wednesday at the funeral home.
The family will provide all funeral flowers.
Dr. Victor Blake Hann
HARRISBURG — The Rev. Dr. Victor Blake Hann, 101, of Bethany Village, Mechanicsburg, died Jan. 24, 2004 of pneumonia in Harrisburg Hospital.
Born April 3, 1902 in Clearfield, he was the son of the late Alice Hopter and Edward Porter Hann.
He was a 1924 graduate of Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport and was also a 1928 graduate of Dickinson College, Carlisle, where he was a member of its Alpha Chi Rho Fraternity and the Director of the Dickinson College Band. During that period he also served as Pastor of the Boiling Springs and Hickorytown United Methodist Churches.
Following his education, Rev. Hann, on Nov. 5, 1928, married Muriel Rexer, his wife and helpmate for 61 years until her death on Aug. 6, 1989.
Rev. Hann retired in 1971 from the Methodist Home for Children, Mechanicsburg where he served as Superintendent for 29 years with his wife, Muriel, caring for 375 children. Prior to that, Rev. Hann served as pastor of the New Bloomfield Methodist Church from 1928-30; the Martinsburg Methodist Church from 1930-32; St. Paul’s in Harrisburg from 1932-35 while also serving as Chaplain to the Vine Street Fire Co.; the Watsontown Methodist Church from 1935-39, while also serving as Director of the Watsontown Community Band; and the Grove Memorial and Lake Park Methodist Churches in Lewistown from 1939-42. After retirement, he served as pastor of the Delville, Rose Glen and Snyder’s Churches from 1972-74 and pastor of the Barnitz and Mt. Zion Churches from 1982-83.
He was elected President of the National Board of Hospitals from 1968-87 and received an Honorary Doctorate from Lycoming College in 1969. In 1997, Rev. Hann was made honorary chairman for fundraising for the Mechanicsburg Area Library and had a street, “Hann Way,” named in his honor.
Rev. Hann had been a member of the Mechanicsburg Library Board and the Boards of both the East and West Shore YMCA’s. He had also been a 57-year member and Past District Governor of the Rotary Club. In April of 2002, friends and relatives of Rev. Hann celebrated his centennial birthday with him, and in 2003 alumni of the children’s home hosted his 101st birthday party.
