Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Frederick L. Shank
SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - Frederick L. "Fred" Shank, 57, of 7500 Molly Pitcher Highway, died Sunday, Feb. 8, 1998, at Chambersburg Hospital.
Born May 19, 1940, in Chambersburg, Pa., he was the son of the late Donald L. and Joanna Foose Shank.
He was employed by HC Gabler, Chambersburg, where he was a truck driver. Earlier, he worked at the former Derose Industries for 22 years; and Morgan Drive Away, for 12 years.
He had attended Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church, Shippensburg.
He was a member of Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 842, Chambersburg.
He is survived by his wife, Carol L. Heckman Shank; one son, Rick D. Shank of Shippensburg; two daughters, Debra J. Higgins of Fayetteville, Pa. and Stephanie S. Shaw of Shippensburg; one stepson, Mark D. Strock of Shippensburg; one sister, Patricia Rodgers of Newville, Pa.; five grandchildren; and three stepgrandchildren.
Private funeral services will be at the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home, 112 W. King St., Shippensburg. The Rev. Larry Sherdel will officiate. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery, Shippensburg.
Blaine A. Kerlin
GREENCASTLE, Pa. - Blaine A. Kerlin, 61, of 3783 Buchanan Trail West, died Friday, Feb. 6, 1998, at his home.
Born May 27, 1936, in Clear Ridge, Pa., he was the son of the late Luray Kerlin.
He was a 1954 graduate of Greencastle High School.
He was a supervisor at Mack Trucks, Hagerstown, having retired after 25 years of service. He then worked as a machinist for 10 years at JLG in McConnellsburg, Pa.
He served with the U.S. Army.
He was a member of Macedonia United Brethren Church near Greencastle.
He was a social member of Harry D. Zeigler VFW Post 6319 of Greencastle; and was a charter member of Silver Star Saddle Club near Greencastle.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Donna F. Pentz Kerlin; three daughters, Kim Siner of Chicago, Diane Kerlin and Jodi Kerlin, both of Greencastle; one son, Dennis Kerlin of Greencastle; one brother, Ken Kerlin of Greencastle; and four grandchildren.
Services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Harold M. Zimmerman and Son Funeral Home, 45 S. Carlisle St., Greencastle, Pa. The Rev. Glen A. Miller will officiate. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Greencastle.
The family will receive friends today from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made in his memory to American Heart Association, 225 E. King St., Chambersburg, Pa. 17201; or American Diabetes Association, c/o Joan Goetz, 219 W. Second St., Waynesboro, Pa. 17268.
Melvin R. Souders
McConnellsburg, Pa. - Melvin R. "Tom" Souders, 66, a resident of Skilled Care Unit of Fulton Co. Medical Center, McConnellsburg, died Saturday, Feb. 7, 1998, at Fulton County Medical Center.
Born March 27, 1931, in Fulton County, Pa., he was the son of the late Claude B. and Goldie Cooper Souders.
He retired in 1987 as supervisor at Grove Manufacturing after 31 years of service.
A veteran of the Korean War, he served with the U.S. Army.
He was a member of Cito United Methodist Church.
He was a member of McConnellsburg American Legion and McConnellsburg VFW.
He is survived by his wife, Janet Rhodes Souders; one daughter, Brenda McElhaney of McConnellsburg; two sons, Ed Souders of Fannettsburg and Tommie Souders of Shippensburg, Pa.; five sisters, Betty Hoffman of McConnellsburg, Edna Sipes of Greencastle, Pa., Alice Strait of Harrisonville, Pa., Patricia Hazlin of Kennesaw, Ga. and Rosaline Carbaugh of Big Cove Tannery, Pa.; five brothers, Calvin Souders of Greencastle, Grover Souders of McConnellsburg, Jay Souders of Hustontown, Pa., Edgar Souders of Mercersburg, Pa. and Lyle Souders of Warfordsburg, Pa.; and seven grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by an infant son, Kenneth Souders; a grandchild, Angelica Souders; two sisters, Faye Knepper and Helen Schetrompf; three brothers, Ray Souders, Blair Souders and Jerry Souders; and a stepbrother, Carl Urban.
Services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Cito United Methodist Church. The Rev. Donald Bard will officiate. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, McConnelsburg, with graveside services conducted by Fulton Honor Guard.
The family will receive friends Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home, McConnellsburg. For the convenience of friends, the funeral home will be open from 2 to 9 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to Cito United Methodist Church, McConnellsburg, Pa. 17233.
Floyd W. Robinson
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Floyd W. Robinson, 78, of 177 S. Fourth St., died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 1998, at St. Luke's Hospital, Houston, Texas.
Born Aug. 5, 1919, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late Floyd R. Robinson and Margaret O. Smith Colbert.
He retired in 1985 after 25 years of service at the former Central Junior High School, Chambersburg, as a custodian.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
He was a member of St. James AME Church, Chambersburg.
He was a member of Frank L. Carbaugh Post 373, American Legion, Greencastle, Pa.
He is survived by his wife, Nellie J. Payton Robinson, whom he married Nov. 22, 1941; one son, Floyd W. Robinson Jr. of Houston; two sisters, Sarah Lewis of Greencastle and Florence Colbert of Chambersburg; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jeanetta A. Jones, in 1985; a sister, Ethel Colbert; and a brother, Richard T. Colbert.
Services will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg. The Rev. W. Larry Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Chambersburg.
The viewing will be Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Mount Vernon Cemetery Club, c/o Mrs. Nellie J. Robinson, 177 S. Fourth St., Chambersburg, Pa. 17201.
Anthony L. Messina
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Anthony L. Messina, 72, of 498 Twin Oak Turn and formerly of Pottsville, Pa., died Friday, Feb. 6, 1998, at his home.
Born Sept. 17, 1925, in Pottsville, he was the son of the late Giacomo and Maria Costanza Messina.
He was a graduate of Pottsville High School, Pottsville.
He retired in 1989 from Schuylkill County Courthouse, Pottsville. Prior to working at the courthouse, he was employed at the former Aetne Steel Co. in Pottsville, where he started as a laborer and worked his way to plant superintendent.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy.
He was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Chambersburg.
He was a member of Catholic War Veterans, Pottsville.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Draovitch Messina, whom he married June 3, 1950; two daughters, Patricia Makosky of Chambersburg and Andrea Gubey of Gilbertsville, Pa.; three sisters, Rosalie Gerace of Pottsville, Sarah Mendini of Charlotte, N.C., and Kathryn Crescenta of Broomall, Pa.; and four brothers, Thomas Messina and Jack Messina, both of Charlotte, John Messina of Bethlehem, Pa., and Jim Messina of Pottsville.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 11 a.m. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 320 Philadelphia Ave., Chambersburg. The Rev. Daniel F. Lawler, S.J. will be celebrant. Burial will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, Pa.
Viewing will be Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Good Shepherd, 2700 Luther Drive, Chambersburg, Pa. 17201.
Richard H. Hays
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Richard H. "Dick" Hays, 74, of 240 North St., died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 1998, at The Hospice House, Harrisburg.
Born April 11, 1923, in Chambersburg, Pa., he was the son of the late William D. and Viola M. Zumbro Hays.
He was a graduate of Chambersburg High School, Chambersburg; and attended Ball State University in Muncie, Ind.
He retired in 1978 as director of purchasing for Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Public Welfare, Harrisburg.
A U.S. Army veteran, her served during World War II in the European Theater.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Chambersburg.
He was a member of George Washington Lodge 143 F&AM of Chambersburg; George Washington Royal Arch Charter 176 of Chambersburg; Continental Commandry 56 of Chambersburg; Charles M. Nitterhouse Post 1599, VFW, Chambersburg; and Pennsylvania Association of Retired State Employees, Harrisburg.
He is survived by one sister, Janet H. Appleby of Chambersburg; nieces and nephews; and a friend, Earl Truckenmiller of Harrisburg.
Services will be Saturday at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg. The Rev. William M. Brown will officiate. Burial will be in Norland Cemetery, Chambersburg, with military graveside services conducted by members of Charles M. Nitterhouse Post 1599, VFW.
Friends may call Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home, where Masonic services will be conducted by members of George Washington Lodge 143 F&AM at 12:45 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Central Pennsylvania, 98 S. Enola Drive, Box 266, Enola, Pa. 17025; or American Cancer Society, Franklin County Unit, 452 E. King St., Chambersburg, Pa. 17201.
Esther D. Bittinger
NEEDMORE, Pa. - Esther Dale Bittinger, 69, of Needmore, died Thursday, Feb. 5, 1998, at Fulton County Medical Center, McConnellsburg, Pa.
Born Sept. 22, 1928, in Kitzmiller, Md., she was the daughter of the late Nathan J. and Naomi Davis Patton.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Milford A. Friend, in 1978.
She was employed as a polisher with Bausch and Lomb in Oakland, Md. She was previously employed by Cuppet and Weeks Nursing Home in Oakland; and by Eastview Group Home in Terra Alta, W.Va.
She was a member of Hancock Church of God.
She is survived by her husband, James D. Bittinger, whom she married April 5, 1992; one daughter, Linda Uphole of Leola, Pa.; one son, Alan Friend of Terra Alta; two sisters, Dorene Adams of Manchester, Ohio, and Peggy Lyons of Bolivar, Ohio; one brother, James Patton of Lock Lynn, Md.; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by one son, Claude Wayne Friend, in 1973; and two brothers, Robert Patton and Roy Patton.
Services will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at Hancock Church of God. The Rev. Eugene Harne will officiate. Burial will be in Damascus Cemetery, Big Cove Tannery, Pa.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Grove Funeral Home, 141 W. Main St., Hancock; and Sunday one hour prior to the service at the church. For the convenience of friends, the funeral home will be open Saturday from 2 to 9 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to Hancock Church of God, c/o Ramona Weller, Route 2, Box 146, Berkeley Springs, W.Va. 25411.
