Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Lois Ash Bondarchuk
Lois Ash Bondarchuk, “Mrs. B.”, age 66, a resident of Las Vegas, and formerly of Tinicum Township, passed away peacefully at home on November 20, 2015.
Lois taught at the Tinicum School for over 30 years, where she was a mentor to many and a “kid at heart.” She was phenomenal and tireless in finding ways to instill to children a love of learning.
She was the beloved wife of the late Kenny Bondarchuk and daughter of the late Bernice and Mike Ash.
SURVIVORS: She is survived by her loving sisters, Merri Ash, Nancy Ash Hay, and Bonnie Ash; and her second soul mate, Joseph Vera. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Chris Novelli and Kathy DiDomenico; and her niece, Lauren Melcher; and her nephews, Mike and Nick DiDomenico; and her kids in fur, Romeo, Rocky, and Lulu.
FUNERAL SERVICE: Will be held on Tuesday, December 1st, at 11 A.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood, Pa. 19074.
VISITATION: Will be on Tuesday from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. at the funeral home.
BURIAL: Will be in Saints Peter & Paul Cemetery in Springfield, Pa.
CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, contributions made in Lois’s memory to the Eisenhower Medical Center Foundation, 39000 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA 92770 would be appreciated.
Robert M. Stewart
Robert M. Stewart, 89, a longtime resident of Ridley Park, passed away peacefully at home on November 18, 2015 surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Stewart was born in Chester, the son of the late George and Lelia Stewart. He was a 1943 graduate of Ridley Township High School and was a graduate of the University of Delaware. He was a resident of Ridley Park since 1952.
Mr. Stewart was a veteran of World War II having served in the U.S. Army.
He was employed with Philadelphia Electric for 38 years, retiring as the Director of Personnel Administration.
He was a lifetime member of Norwood United Methodist Church and served the church in various capacities over the years including Chairman of the church Administrative Board.
Mr. Stewart volunteered at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park for many years and also served as a Chaplain there for a number of years. He was a member of the Young at Hearts group in Ridley Park for many years and also served as President for a period of time. He enjoyed playing the piano and considered himself an amateur magician.
Most of all, he will be remembered as a man who was devoted to his family and his church.
He was predeceased by his brother, George Stewart.
SURVIVORS: He is survived by his devoted wife, Mildred; his daughter, Sharon (Mark) Johnson; his son, Glenn (Lynn) Stewart; his grandchildren, George, Jenny, and Steven; and his sister, Ruth Yost.
FUNERAL SERVICE: Will be held on Saturday, November 21st, at 11 A.M. at the Norwood United Methodist Church, 315 Chester Pike, in Norwood, Pa. 19074.
VISITATION: Will be on Saturday from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. at the church.
BURIAL: Will be in Glenwood Memorial Gardens with military honors in Broomall, Pa.
CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, contributions made in his memory to the Norwood United Methodist Church at the above address would be appreciated
Kevin E. Trabbold
Kevin E. Trabbold, 59, of Lester, Pa., died on November 15, 2015 peacefully at home.
He was a former roofer who enjoyed fishing at the Jersey Shore. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, but most of all grandfather. He was an avid Eagles and Flyers fan but his passion was spending time with his grandchildren.
Mr. Trabbold was the son of the late Barbara Ruppert.
SURVIVORS: His wife, Linda C. Trabbold (nee Clarke); his son, Christopher (Jaime), his daughter, Tiffany (Dominic); his grandchildren, Brittany, Dominic, Kyle, and Ronnie; his siblings, Denise, James, Lisa, and Robbie.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: Will be held on Friday, November 20th, at 7 P.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood, Pa. 19074.
VISITATION: Will be on Friday from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. at the funeral home.
BURIAL: Will be private.
CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, contributions made in Kevin’s memory to The Griffith Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 56, Norwood, Pa. 19074 would be greatly appreciated by his family.
Harry N. Cake
Harry N. Cake, a resident of Holmes, Pa., passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 31, 2015, at the age of 62 at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park.
Born in Chester, Pa. on March 7, 1953, he was the son of the late Norman and Elizabeth Cake. Harry grew up in Holmes, Pa. and graduated from Ridley High School in 1971. Employed by the U.S. Postal Service, Harry retired after many years of service.
Family and friends were most important to him. There wasn’t anything that he wouldn’t do for them. He greeted everyone with a smile and was the first one to volunteer when someone needed help. An avid bowler, Harry rolled six “300” games, and was a member of the Ridley Township Old Timers Hall of Fame. He also enjoyed hunting and gardening.
SURVIVORS: His sister, Joan Brim (George), caregivers Jack and Kathy Mruk, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: Will be held on Friday, November 6th, at 8 P.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood, Pa. 19074.
VISITATION: Will be on Friday, November 6th, from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the funeral home.
BURIAL: Will be private.
CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, contributions made in Harry’s memory to the Griffith Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 56, Norwood, Pa. 19074 would be appreciated.
Reginald M. Menna
Reginald M. Menna, age 88, known affectionately as “Reggie” to his family and friends, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2015 at the Crozer-Keystone Hospice Residence at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park.
Born in Philadelphia and raised in Tinicum Township, he was a resident of Prospect Park since 1954 residing in the home that he and his wife, Pauline, built together in 1954.
Reggie served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was employed as a stockbroker with various brokerage firms in Philadelphia for many years until his retirement. He had attended the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
Reggie enjoyed working in his tomato garden, tending to his yard, and watching the birds at his feeders with his friend Chick for hours and hours. Most of all, family meant the most to him, and he cherished the times when his family all got together for holidays and birthdays.
He met his wife, Pauline, in 1948 and they were happily married for 66 years.
SURVIVORS: His beloved wife, Pauline; his children, Ron (Karen) Menna, Shelly (Hank) Griffith, and Holly (Scott) Butler; his grandchildren, Jamie, Lori, Tricia, Tracy, and Chelsea; his great-grandchildren, Max, Oliver, Milo, and Claudia; and his dear friend, Chick.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: Will be held on Wednesday, November 4th, at 7 P.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood, Pa. 19074.
VISITATION: Will take place on Wednesday from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. at the funeral home.
BURIAL: Was done privately.
CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, contributions made in Reggie’s memory to The Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, 703 Lincoln Avenue, Prospect Park, Pa. 19076 would be appreciated by the family.
Elaine Hinkel Shattuck
Elaine Hinkel Shattuck, age 70, a former resident of Norwood, Pa., passed away peacefully on October 26, 2015 at Fair Acres Geriatric Center in Middletown Township.
Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Roy and Anna Hinkel.
Elaine was a member of Olivet Presbyterian Church in Prospect Park, Pa. since 1997.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE: Will be held on Thursday, October 29th, at 11 A.M. at Lawn Croft Cemetery on Ridge Road in Linwood, Pa. Burial will follow the service.
CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, contributions made in Elaine’s memory to the Memorial Fund of Olivet Presbyterian Church, 1001 Washington Avenue, Prospect Park, Pa. 19076 would be appreciated
Elizabeth "Betty" Sides
Elizabeth “Betty” Sides, age 93, a longtime resident of Drexel Hill, Pa., passed away peacefully on October 24, 2015 at the Crozer-Keystone Hospice Residence at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, Pa.
Born in Prospect Park, she was the daughter of the late Royal and Mabel MacLellan. Betty was employed as a medical transcriptionist at Lankenau Hospital and then Riddle Memorial Hospital for over 40 years until her retirement.
Betty was a life time member of St. James Episcopal Church in Prospect Park. She loved working in her beautiful garden and was proud of the fact that she cut her own grass. Most of all, she will be remembered as a woman who was devoted to her family.
She was the wife of the late Leo Sides and was also predeceased by her son, Leo Sides, Jr. and her grandson, Christopher.
SURVIVORS: Betty is survived by her children, William Sides, Barbara Reynolds, Glen Sides, Shirlee Kelly, and Jeanne Sides; her sister, Ethel Brittingham; her 12 grandchildren; and her 18 great-grandchildren.
FUNERAL SERVICE: Will be held on Wednesday, October 28th, at 11 A.M. at St. James Episcopal Church, 732 11th Avenue, in Prospect Park, Pa. 19076.
VISITATION: Will be on Wednesday from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. at the church.
BURIAL: Will be in Valley Forge Memorial Gardens in King of Prussia, Pa.
CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, contributions made in Betty’s memory to St. James Episcopal Church at the above address would be appreciated.
Stephen E. Sleeper
Stephen E. Sleeper, age 68, a resident of Wilmington, Delaware and a former resident of Prospect Park, Pa., passed away on October 22, 2015 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Elsmere, Delaware.
Born in Ridley Park, he was the son of the late Edwin and Sarah Sleeper. He was a 1966 graduate of Interboro High School. Steve was a veteran of the Vietnam War having served in the U.S. Army.
He was employed as a graphic artist for the Dupont Company for a number of years.
SURVIVORS: He is survived by his son, Brian; and by his brother, David.
VISITATION: Will be on Friday, October 30th, from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood, Pa.
BURIAL: Will be private.
CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, contributions made in Steve’s memory to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 would be appreciated.
William Bridge, Sr.
William Bridge, Sr., age 95, a longtime Prospect Park resident, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2015 at Brandywine Hospital in Coatesville, Pa.
Born in Chester, he was a longtime resident of Prospect Park and the last two years at St. Martha Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Downingtown, Pa.
Mr. Bridge served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He worked as a foreman at Atlantic Steel Casting Co. in Chester, Pa. until its closure.
He is predeceased by his loving wife of 71 years, Anna Bridge; his father, Daniel Bridge; his mother, Mabel Bridge; his sisters, Stella Forgach, Elizabeth Ciafre, and Lillian Carter; and his brother, Daniel Bridge.
SURVIVORS: He is survived by his sons, William (Arlene) Bridge, Jr. and Richard (Joanne) Bridge; his sisters, Lauretta Riddaugh of North Port, Florida and Gertrude Zurlo of Florida; his four grandchildren; and his six great-grandchildren.
FUNERAL MASS: Will be celebrated on Thursday, October 22nd, at 11 A.M. at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 233 Mohawk Avenue, in Norwood, Pa. 19074.
VISITATION: Friends may call on Thursday from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. at the church.
BURIAL: Will be in Saints Peter & Paul Cemetery in Springfield, Pa.
Margaret Hamilton Witmer
Margaret Hamilton Witmer, 99, a 74 year resident of 738 Pennsylvania Avenue, Prospect Park, Pa., died peacefully in her sleep on October 12, 2015, at her home where she was under home hospice care.
Born in Chester, Pa. in 1916, she spent her childhood years in Chester, and graduated from Chester High School. She attended Temple University where she completed all but her last semester, leaving to marry Frank P. Witmer, Jr. They had a wonderful marriage for 71 years before his passing in 2010. Together they founded the Prospect Park Termites youth football organization in their home back yard in 1948. The Termites are now in their 68th straight year with 6 football teams and cheerleader squads. Mrs. Witmer was an integral part of the initial founding, team Mom, and team nurse for many years, and remained an avid fan through her 99th year.
She was a devoted Episcopalian for over 73 years as a faithful member of St. James Episcopal Church in Prospect Park.
She has been an avid fan and supporter of Interboro High School football and baseball for 59 years since its formation, regularly attending and cheering through her 98th year. She has received Interboro’s Hall of Fame Award and Prospect Park’s Citizen of the Year Award, among many other recognitions over the years.
Mrs. Witmer was predeceased by her husband, Frank, and by her oldest son, Frank P. Witmer, III.
She is survived by son Thomas and his wife Frances of Seneca, SC; daughter-in-law Joan G. Gombar of Glen Mills, Pa.; five grandchildren, Deborah J. Rausher of Roaring Branch, Pa., Cynthia W. Schofield of Kennett Square, Pa., Laura S. Witmer-Gautsch of Mason, Ohio, Frank E. Witmer of Exton, Pa., and Thomas H. Witmer, Jr. of Epping, NH; 15 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
There will be viewings on Friday, October 23rd, from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M. and from 6 P.M. to 9 P.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood, Pa. 19074.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 24th, at 10:30 A.M. at St. James Episcopal Church, 732 11th Avenue, (11th & Lincoln Aves.) in Prospect Park, Pa. 19076; followed by her burial service at Edgewood Memorial Park in Glen Mills, Pa.
The family is requesting contributions in lieu of flowers to either: The Margaret H. Witmer Memorial Fund, St. James Episcopal Church, 732 11th Avenue, Prospect Park, Pa. 19076 or to The Margaret H. Witmer Memorial Fund, Prospect Park Termites, 637 Fourteenth Avenue, Prospect Park, Pa. 19076.
