Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
JOHN L. “Jack” GOEPFERT
John L. “Jack” Goepfert, 78, of Hummelstown, passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2002, in the Lebanon Valley Brethren Home, Palmyra.
Born in Mahanoy City on May 24, 1923, he was the son of the late John L. Goepfert Sr. and Rachel Jones Goepfert. He retired as a Health and Physical Education Teacher and as the Athletic Director from Lower Dauphin High School, and was a teacher and head football coach and junior varsity basketball and track coach for the former John Harris High School and Hummelstown High School. He managed the Hummelstown Swim Club for 30 years. He played professional basketball for the former Sunbury Mercuries and Harrisburg Senators.
He was a 1941 graduate of Mahanoy City High School where he was elected unanimously as the 1941 All State Center in basketball. He had attended Cornell University, New York, and was a 1948 graduate of East Stroudsburg State Teachers’ College where he was named to their Sports Hall of Fame. He completed his graduate work at Bucknell University, Lewisburg.
He was a World War II veteran having served in the Navy with the Special Forces Scout Raider Division. During the war he played in the Black Hawk Basketball Championship Team in Shanghai, China.
He was named to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Athletic Directors Association, and the Pennsylvania Football Officials Association. He was known as “The Gentleman Coach”. Because of his dedication, upon his retirement the “John Goepfert Sportsmanship Award” was established at Lower Dauphin High School to award a senior who has exhibited high standards of sportsmanship in competition.
With 46 years of perfect attendance, he was an elder of the Hummelstown United Church of Christ where he had taught Sunday School for almost 40 years. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ruth Mooney Goepfert whom he married on June 16, 1948; one daughter, Dr. Linda L. Goepfert wife of Dr. Richard L. Walters of Hershey; one son and his wife, Dr. Douglas J. and Gayle Zimmerman Goepfert; and 4 grandchildren, Jenna L. Walters, Lauren M. Goepfert, Kristen H. Walters, and Adam C. Goepfert all of Hershey.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 4 at 1:00 PM in the Hummelstown United Church of Christ, 104 East Main Street, Hummelstown, with The Rev. Mark J. Johnson, his pastor, and The Rev. Curtis Weber, pastor of St. John Blymire’s United Church of Christ, Dallastown, officiating. Interment will be in the Hummelstown Cemetery. Friends are invited to call in the church Friday from 6 to 9 PM and Saturday from 11 AM until time of the services at 1 PM.
Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, is handling the services.
In lieu of flowers, those desiring may send memorial contributions to Hummelstown Swim Club, 270 Linden Road, Hummelstown, PA 17036, or to the Hummelstown United Church of Christ, 104 East Main Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036.
HENRIETTA A. HANSHAW BECHTEL
Henrietta A. Hanshaw Bechtel, 81, of Hummelstown, passed away Wednesday, April 24 in the Community General Osteopathic Hospital.
Born in Hoernerstown on November 13, 1920, she was the daughter of the late William A. Sr. and Rose F. Brighton Hanshaw. She retired from the Packing Department of the H. B. Reese Candy Co., Hershey. She was a member of the Woodmen of the World Lodge 364, Hershey.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Clyde C. “Hank” Bechtel; one son, Garry C. Bechtel of Harrisburg; five brothers , John Hanshaw of Littlestown, Earl Hanshaw of Dillsburg, Richard Hanshaw of Mechanicsburg, James Hanshaw of Elizabethtown and Gary Hanshaw of Palmyra; five sisters , Pearl wife of George Westenberger of Midwest City, Oklahoma , Anna Hoffman of Middletown, Doris Phillips and Mildred Hanshaw both Hummelstown, and Shirley wife of Guy Smith of Schuylkill Haven.
Funeral services will be held Monday, April 29 at 12:15 PM in the Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, with her nephew, The Rev. Richard R. Hanshaw, Jr. pastor of the East Hanover Church of God, officiating. Interment will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, East Hanover Township. Friends are invited to call in the funeral home Sunday, April 28 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM and Monday from 11:00 AM until time of the services. Woodman of the World Services will be recited Sunday at 8:30 PM in the funeral home.
ALVIN C. “Pee Wee” REED
Alvin C. “Pee Wee” Reed, 86, of Hummelstown, passed away Monday, April 22 in the Community General Osteopathic Hospital.
Born in Swatara Township on August 17, 1915, he was the son of the late Samuel H. and Annie M. Reigle Reed. He retired as a welder of Hempt brothers , Inc. after 53 years of service. He enjoyed fishing.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Fay A. Witmer Reed, on September 17, 1991.
He is survived by three sons , Alvin Roy Reed of Elizabethtown, Rodney E. Reed of Hummelstown, and Dennis K. Reed of Clarksville, TN; five daughters , Geraldine R. wife of Carl R. Brandt of Harrisburg, Marie E. Howell and Marsha A. wife of Philip A. Bentley both of Hummelstown, Melody D. wife of Thomas A. Graupensperger of Marysville, and Debra K. wife of Brent Burns of Middletown; one brother, Samuel A. Reed of Hummelstown; four sisters , Blanche N. Porr and Mary B. Ames both of Hummelstown, Anna B. King of Palmyra and Sarah E. Rhan of Avon Park, FL; 18 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; and 2 great great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 25 at 11:00 AM in the Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, with The Rev. Daniel H. Norton, Jr., pastor of Grace & Trust Bible Church, Hummelstown, officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Lower Paxton Township. Friends are invited to call in the funeral home Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until time of the services
AMELIA MARGARET “Minnie” LLOYD WHARY
Amelia Margaret “Minnie” Lloyd Whary, 76, of Hummelstown, passed away Sunday, November 10, 2002, in the Harrisburg Hospital.
Born in Lewistown on October 9, 1926, she was the daughter of the late William and Rachel Phillips Lloyd. She retired as an assembler for Phoenix Contact, Hummelstown. She was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, Lewistown. She was Methodist by faith. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, and enjoyed crocheting, playing pinochle and going to the Atlantic City casinos.
Her husband, Donald L. Whary, preceded her in death on April 3, 1981. She is survived by one daughter, Dawn Marie wife of Arthur F. Druckenmiller of Hummelstown; two sons , Kenneth L. Whary of Hummelstown, and William E. Whary and his wife Karen Raynes Whary of Elizabethtown; one sister, Jeannine Y. wife of Merrill L. Setzler of Hummelstown; one brother, William P. Lloyd and his wife, Florence Goss Lloyd of Rockledge, FL; 5 grandchildren, Amy E. Fusher and Ann M. Whary both of Hummelstown, Erin L. Whary of Enola, and Brian W. and Stacey Whary both of Elizabethtown; 3 great grandchildren, Michael C. Fisher, Matthew C. Fisher, and Celeste J. Whary all of Hummelstown; two nieces, Rachel Setzler and Renee Setzler both of Hummelstown; and a nephew, Kevin S. Lloyd of Rockledge, FL.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 14 at 11:00 AM in the Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown. Interment will be Thursday at 2:30 PM in the Juniata Memorial Park, Lewistown. Friends are invited to call in the funeral home Wednesday, November 13 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM and Thursday from 10:30 AM until time of the services.
Those desiring may send memorial contributions to the Disabled Veterans Association, 4219 Trindle Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011.
EMMA SARAH SCHWALM STOKES
Emma Sarah Schwalm Stokes, 81, of the Thornwald Nursing Home, Carlisle, formerly of Schuylkill County, passed away Wednesday, November 6, 2002, in Carlisle Hospital.
Born in Hegins Township on November 6, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Gurney H. and Mary Sevilla Shadle Schwalm. She retired as a secretary from the former Dauphin County Child Care System. She was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Riverton, where she had been the former Treasurer. She enjoyed playing Scrabble and bingo, doing crafts and watching television.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald T. Stokes, in 1970.
She is survived by one son Eugene D. Stokes and his wife Wendy Martin Stokes of Mt. Holly Springs; three brothers , George Schwalm and Frank Schwalm both of Valley View, and Mark Schwalm of Lykens; and one sister, Catherine Warfield of Tower City.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one brother, Wilson Schwalm, and one sister, Mary Jane Runkle.
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 11, 2002, at 11:00 AM in the Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, with The Rev. Arthur F. Sonnenberg, her pastor, officiating. Interment will be at the convenience of the family in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Lower Paxton Township. Friends are invited to call in the funeral home Monday from 10:00 AM until time of the services.
Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Thornwald Nursing Home Benevolent Fund, 422 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle, PA 17013.
DONALD A. TETZLOFF, JR.
Donald A. Tetzloff, Jr., 58, of Hummelstown, passed away Tuesday, November 5, 2002, in the Harrisburg Hospital.
He was born at Fort Dix, in New Hanover, New Jersey, on July 13, 1944. He had worked with the labor gang at the Hershey Foods Corporation before going on disablility due to health problems. He was a life member of the Life Team (former River Rescue)of Harrisburg and the Union Deposit Volunteer Fire Company; a member of the Special Fire Police for South Hanover Township and the Chocolate Workers Union Local 464, Hershey; and was a former active member of the Hummelstown Fire Company. He loved animals, and enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing, and doing crafts and ceramics,
He was preceded in death by his Father and step-mother , Donald A. Sr. and Ellen A. Brenner Tetzloff;, his mother Louise N. Camden Tetzloff; a brother, Eugene William Tetzloff; and two step-brothers , Harvey S. Wanner and Harry C. Wanner.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Georgine J. Shellenhammer Tetzloff whom he married on November 4, 1967; two sons , Stanley C. Tetzloff and Jeffrey A. Tetzloff and his wife, Rebecca Harman Tetzloff both of Hummelstown; one daughter, Dorothy E. Tetzloff of Hummelstown; two sisters , Donna M. wife of Gerald Harris of Empire, CO, and Lorraine E. “Sue” wife of Patrick Junker of Middletown; one brother, Roger A. Tetzloff of Middletown; two step-sisters , Mary Ellen Wanner of Newville, and Jenny E. wife of William Corrigani of Palmyra; and four step brothers , E. Stanley Wanner of Hummelstown, Larry E. Wanner of Lebanon, Lonny L. Wanner of Harrisburg, and Mark Tetzloff of Buena Vista, Virginia; one aunt, Katherine C. King of Buena Vista, VA; his step Father , Eugene Tetzloff of Steelton; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, November 8 at 11 AM in the Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, with The Rev. W. Michael Langford, pastor of the Chambers Hill United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in the Hanoverdale Cemetery, West Hanover Township. Friends are invited to call in the funeral home Thursday, November 7 from 7 to 9 PM and Friday from 10 AM until time of the services.
Those desiring may send memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, Capital Region Unit, 3211 North Front Street, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110; or to the American Diabetes Association, 3544 North Progress Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
MARY LOU BORK ERBE MOEHRING
Mary Lou Bork Erbe Moehring, 78, of Villa Teresa Nursing Home, Lower Paxton Township, and formerly of Hummelstown, passed away Thursday, October 31, 2002, in the Community General Osteopathic Hospital, Lower Paxton Township.
Born in Connellsville on September 16, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Ewald H. and Anna C. Bork. She was a homemaker. She was a member of the United Church of Christ, Hummelstown.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Frederick E. Erbe, on May 11, 1981.
She is survived by her second husband, Albert F. Moehring; one son and daughter-in-law, Eric F. and Linda Locke Erbe of Rockville, Maryland; and two grandchildren, Rebecca Anna Erbe and David Eric Erbe both of Rockville, Maryland.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 5 at 1:00 PM in the Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, with The Rev. George Heckard officiating. Interment will be in the Hummelstown Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home Tuesday from 12:30 PM until time of the services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Church of Christ, 104 East Main Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036; or to any charity of choice.
EDNA MAY STRINE YOST
Edna May Strine Yost, 85, of Susquehanna Township, passed away Thursday, October 31, 2002, in Homeland Center, Harrisburg.
Born in Columbia on June 28, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Edwin S. and Lavina Chaney Strine. She was an accountant. She was a 1934 graduate of the former John Harris High School, Harrisburg, and had attended Central Penn Business School. She was a member of the Fifth Street United Methodist Church, Harrisburg, where she was the Treasurer of its Board of Trustees. She was Treasurer of the Harrisburg Uptown United Methodist Ministerium; Past Treasurer and member of Soroptimist International of Harrisburg, PA, Inc. and the Rockville Bridge Chapter of the American Business Women Association; and a Past Treasurer and former member of the Harrisburg Charter Chapter of the American Business Women Association. She was an avid bridge player.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Alvey Yost, on March 25, 1985.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 5 at 10 AM in the Fifth Street United Methodist Church, 1721 North 5th Street, Harrisburg, with The Rev. Keith Beasley-Topliffe, her pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Paxtang Cemetery. There will be no viewing or visitation.
Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, is handling the services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fifth Street United Methodist Church Current Expense Fund, 1721 North 5th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102.
LUCINDA E. GINGRICH HOFFMAN
Lucinda E. Gingrich Hoffman, age 84, of Hummelstown, passed away Saturday, December 21, 2002, in the Care Center of Camp Hill. Born in South Hanover Township, PA on January 9, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Edna Rhoads Gingrich. She was a Homemaker, attended Grace United Methodist Church, Hummelstown and enjoyed reading, cooking and her Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren.
She was the widow of William H. Hoffman who preceded her in death on February 15, 2001.
She is survived by four daughters , Shirley A. wife of Wayne W. Nye of Duncannon, Betty L. Hoffer-Exum wife of John L. Exum, Frankie E. wife of Percy Griffin both of Harrisburg and Mary H. wife of Roy R. Gesford of Hummelstown; one son, William A. Hoffman of Carrolton, Texas ; twenty two grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one daughter, Barbara Schultz and two sons , Richard Gingrich and John Hoffman.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 26 at 2:00 PM in the Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, with The Rev. Gary A. Shockley officiating. Interment will be in the Union Deposit Cemetery, South Hanover Township, PA. Friends are invited to call Thursday from 1:00 until the time of the services in the funeral home.
Those desiring may send memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, Capital Region Unit, 3211 North Front Street, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
FRANCIS J. NOONEY
Francis J. Nooney, 46, of Hummelstown, passed away Sunday, December 15, 2002, at his residence.
Born in Scranton on February 2, 1956, he was the son of Francis K. and Marilyn Caviston Nooney. He was the Deputy Director of Dauphin County Economic Development; was a former Financial Specialist in the Economic Development for the city of Harrisburg; and was a former Corporate Tax Officer for the Auditor General of Pennsylvania . He was a 1974 graduate of Bishop Klonowski High School, Scranton; a 1979 graduate of Bloomsburg Univerity; and received a Financial Degree from the Pennsylvania State University, State College. He was a member of St. Catherine Laboure Roman Catholic Church, Harrisburg. He had served on the Zoning Hearing Board of Hummelstown; was a former member of the Lawnton Lions Club; and was an avid golfer and Penn State and Pittsburgh Steelers Football fan.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife of 10 years, Donna F. Novatnak Nooney whom he married on July 25, 1992; one son, Shane Francis Nooney at home; one brother, Brian J. Nooney of Harrisburg; two sisters , Cheryl N. wife of Cletus Mehringer of Bowie, Maryland, and Maribeth N. wife of Jack Lennox of Scranton; and several nieces and nephews, and aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Maurice and Beatrice Sheridan Caviston, and by his paternal grandparents, William and Mary Dolan Nooney.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, December 20 at 11:00 AM in the St. Catherine Laboure Roman Catholic Church, 4000 Dery Street, Harrisburg, with The Rev. Msgr. Hugh A. Overbaugh, as officiant. Inurnment will be in Resurrection Cemetery, West Hanover Township. Visitation will be Friday in the church from 10:00 AM until time of the services.
Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, is handling the arrangements.
Those desiring may send memorial contributions to Pinnacle Health Hospice, 3705 Elmwood Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
ANITA A. NIELSON JOHNSON
Anita A. Nielson Johnson, 78, of Hummelstown, passed away Sunday, December 15, 2002, in the Masonic Homes, Elizabethtown.
Born in Warren on May 25, 1924, she was the daughter of the late John C. and Marie M. Nielson. She was a 1942 graduate of Warren High School. She was formerly employed at the Warren National Bank, Warren, PA, and Ypsilanti National Bank, Ypsilanti, Missouri, and Milton Hershey School’s College Hall in Hershey. She was a member of Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey, the Faculty Wives of Milton Hershey School, and the CLEO’s Group, and was active with the Girl Scouts of America.
She was the widow of Richard C. Johnson who preceded her in death on November 10, 1996.
She is survived by one daughter, Kathleen D. wife of Col. Frederick G. Schmidt of Panama City, Florida; one son and daughter-in-law, Scott W. and Michele Johnson of Hershey; two grandchildren, Frederick Richard Schmidt of Panama City, Florida, and Isabelle Paige Johnson of Hershey; and one sister, Edna N. wife of Archie Densmore of New Port Richey, Florida.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 19 at 11 AM in the Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, with The Rev. Dr. Richard L. Houtz, her pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 18 from 7 to 9 PM in the funeral home.
Those desiring may send memorial contributions to Derry Presbyterian Church, 248 East Derry Road, Hershey, PA 17033; or to Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125; or to the Masonic Homes, 1 Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.
