Gilbert C. Koppenhaver
Gilbert C. Koppenhaver, 85, of Gratz, died Sunday, March 27, 2005, at Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill.
Born in Gratz, Feb. 27, 1920, he was a son of the late Benjamin and Verna Carl Koppenhaver. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a retired foreman from the garment industry.
He was a member of Simeon United Lutheran Church, Gratz, where he was a former member of the church council and taught Sunday school for many years. He was a member of the Gratz Fair Association, where he served in various offices. He was awarded the Fairman of the Year Award in 1993. He served on the Gratz Borough Council for 34 years. He was the former secretary of the Gratz Union Cemetery. He was a lifetime member of the Gratz Fire Company.
Surviving are his wife, Marie Klinger Koppenhaver; two sons, Gary Koppenhaver of Enola, and Bruce Koppenhaver of Gratz; a daughter, Jane Shade of Gratz; a sister, Ruth Lettich of Gratz; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 1, at 11 a.m. at Simeon United Lutheran Church, Gratz, with the Rev. Barry Ridge officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, March 31, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Simeon United Lutheran Church, Gratz. Interment will be in Simeon Gratz Union Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Simeon United Lutheran Church, Gratz, PA 17030. James A. Reed Funeral Home, Pillow, was in charge of arrangements.
Esther M. Kutz
Esther M. Kutz, 82, of Pine Grove, died Monday, March 21, 2005, at home.
Born in Pine Grove, June 12, 1922, she was a daughter of the late Walter and Clara A. Berger Wolfe.
She was a housekeeper.
She was a member of Schuylkill Church of the Brethren, Pine Grove.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Horace W., on Nov. 28, 1992; a daughter, Diane Kutz; a grandson, Joshua Noecker; a brother, Ray S. Wolfe.
Surviving are three daughters, Beverly Thompson, Linda Wolfe and Marie Noecker, all of Pine Grove; two sons, Dennis of Schuylkill Haven, and William of Pine Grove; two sisters, Mae Aungst and Dorothy Hoffman, both of Pine Grove; two brothers, Walter Wolfe of Schuylkill Haven, and Kenneth L. Wolfe Sr. of Pine Grove; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 25, in Schuylkill Church of the Brethren, with the Rev. Calvin Roop, David Aungst and Richard Hoffman officiating. Interment was in Schuylkill Church of the Brethren Cemetery, Sweet Arrow Lake Road, Pine Grove. H.L. Snyder Funeral Home Inc., Pine Grove, was in charge of arrangements.
Kathryn M. Minnich
Kathryn M. Minnich, 82, formerly of Wiconisco, died Sunday, March 27, 2005, at her home.
She was born in Wiconisco, Dec. 20, 1922. She was a graduate of the former Wiconisco High School.
She retired from the former Muskin's Shoe Co., Millersburg.
Surviving are a daughter, Kay L. Smink of Elizabethville; a son, Gary E. Minnich of Dallas, TX; a sister, Cleo W. Grimm of Lykens; two grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, March 31, at 11 a.m. at Calvary United Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco, with the Rev, Cathy Hinman officiating. There will be no viewing or visitation.
John R. Shultz Funeral Home, Lykens, is in charge of arrangements.
Paul A. Schaffer
Paul A. "Shep" Schaffer, 67, of Millersburg, died Tuesday, March 22, 2005, at Harrisburg Hospital.
Born Oct. 28, 1937, he was a son of the late Raymond and Erma Martz Schaffer.
He was a graduate of Millersburg High School and president of the Class of 1955. He attended Rutgers University on a football scholarship.
He was the owner of a former Chrysler-Dodge dealership in Millersburg and auctioneer of the Dalmatia Farmers' Market.
He was a member of Trinity UCC in Millersburg confirmation Class of 1951; former member and President of Millersburg Moose Lodge No. 59; Lower Mahanoy Fire Co.; American Legion No. 326; Erdman Sportsman Association; BPO-Elks Lodge in Sunbury; Coleman campers; U.S. Coast Guard auxiliary; NRA; and AARP.
Surviving are three daughters, Melissa Yingling of Harrisburg, Angela Kisner and Christine Sellers, both of Virginia Beach, VA; a son, Keith Schaffer of Audubon; a step-son, Douglas Dockey of Highspire; a sister, LuAnn Schaffer Yeager of Millersburg; five grandchildren, James, Andrew, and Victoria Schaffer of Audubon and Kelsey and Ryan Kisner of Virginia Beach; and three nephews.
Private services were held with the Rev. Penny Dollar officiating. Entombment was in Oak Hill Cemetery mausoleum.
Donation may be made to Trinity UCC, 235 Center Street, Millersburg, PA 17061. Hoover Funeral Homes, Inc., Millersburg, was in charge of arrangements.
John E. Stepanski
John E. "Jack " Stepanski, of Halifax, died Thursday, March 24, 2005, after a brave battle with cancer.
Born in Pottsville, Jan. 6, 1940, he was a son of the late John E. and Mary Zimmerman Stepanski.
He attended Pottsville High School and played football for the Pottsville Crimson Tide. He attended Williamson Trade School in Media, and trained to be a machinist. He began his working career in Delaware County, PA, where he worked for Scott Paper Co. He also worked in Real Estate before becoming a Deputy Waterways Patrolman. He came to Dauphin County in the mid 60's as a full-time Waterways Patrolman for the Pennsylvania Fish Commission and for nearly twenty years was the "Fish Warden" for this county. During this time, he was instrumental in establishing high school conservation clubs, sportsman's clubs, trout nurseries and was responsible for coordinating the trout stocking program in Dauphin County. After his retirement he established two Century 21 Real Estate Offices, one based in Halifax and the other in Tower City. He owned and operated Jack Stepanski Appraisals with his wife Lorene.
He was an active member of the Zion Stone Church on Million Dollar Road in Halifax.
Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Lorene G. McFalls Stepanski; a son, Keith E. Stepanski of Carlisle; a daughter, Lisa A. Stepanski of Halifax; three sisters, Dorothy Kessler of Minersville, Phyllis McHale of Port Carbon and Kathleen Drum of Port Carbon.
Services will be held at Hoover Funeral Homes, Inc., Millersburg, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30, with the Rev. Deb Koretzky officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 9-11 a.m., at Hoover Funeral Homes, Inc. Interment will be at Riverview Memorial Gardens Halifax.
Donations may be made to Zion Stone Church, Powells Valley Charge, Million Dollar Road Halifax, PA 17032 or American Cancer Society, Capital Region Unit, 3211 N. Front Street, Suite 100 Harrisburg, PA 17110. Hoover Funeral Homes, Inc., Millersburg, is in charge of arrangements.
Madeline M. Troutman
Madeline M. Troutman, 82, of Lykens, died Wednesday, March 23, 2005, at Harrisburg Hospital.
She was a daughter of the late Charles and Mary Kopp, formerly of Lykens.
She retired from Lebro Shirt Manufacturing.
She was a member of Lykens United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Thomas and a bother, Kenneth Kopp.
Surviving are two sons, Raymond of Lykens, and Myrl of Pine Grove; three grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and a sister, Mary Kopp, Lykens.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be sent to her church. Auer Memorial Home and Cremation Services Inc., Harrisburg, is in charge of arrangements.
John D. Webster
John D. 'Pap' Webster, Sr., 89, of Halifax, died Wednesday, March 23, 2005, at Stonebridge Health and Rehab, Wheatfield Twp.
Born in Halifax, November 19, 1915, he was a son of the late John A. and Mary I. Evans Webster.
He was a member of Crossroads of Life Apostolic Church Elizabethville. He was a retired Dairy Farmer.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Retha G. Enders Webster; five brothers, Art, Earl, Clarance, Merle, Albert; and two sisters, Irene Emmanuel and Mae Myers.
Surviving are five sons, Wayne L. Webster of Halifax, Edward D. Webster of Halifax, David A. Webster of Lykens, John D. Webster, Jr. of Herndon and Joseph E. Webster of Newville; six daughters, Mary J. Schwalm of Halifax, Nancy E. Keiter of Halifax, Ruth A. Bordner of Gratz, Ellen L., Wagner of Hershey, Darlene K. Oxenreider of Klingerstown, and Cathy J. Oxenreider of Lykens; three brothers, Roy O. Webster of Halifax, William Webster of Halifax, and Herbert Webster of Halifax; 25 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.
Religious service were held Monday, March 28, at Crossroads of Life Apostolic Church, Elizabethville, with Pastor, R.E. Harris officiating. Interment was in Riverview Memorial Gardens, Halifax.
Donations may be made to Halifax Ambulance Association, 225 Bunker Hill Road, Halifax, PA 17032. Hoover Funeral Home, Inc., Elizabethville, was in charge of arrangements.
Margaret A. Wilt
Margaret A. Wilt, 85, of Susquehanna Lutheran Village, Millersburg, died Friday, March 25, 2005, at the village.
Born in Enders, May 19, 1919, she was a daughter of the late Harry and Millie May Hoffman Dietrich.
She was a graduate of the former Elizabethville High School; worked for the former Lykens Valley Steak House, at the Harrisburg North Golf Course as a manager for several years; was a former member of the Lykens Valley Garden Club; Women's Civic Club; a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post No. 5507, Millersburg; and was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Millersburg.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Wilt, who died in 1974. Margaret was the last of 11 children.
Surviving are two daughters, Donna Szwast of Camp Hill and Ina Schoffstall of Elizabethville; two granddaughters, Paula Ziegelmeier and Anita Szwast; and two great-grandsons, Alex and Zach Ziegelmeier.
Religious services were held on Tuesday March 29, at Grace United Methodist Church, Millersburg, with the Rev. Floyd S. Sollenberger, Jr. officiating. Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery, Millersburg.
Donations may be made to Grace United Methodist Church Youth Programs, 982 Medical Road, Millersburg, PA 17061.
Richard F. Witmer
Richard F. 'Dickie' Witmer, 64, of Halifax, died Friday, March 18, 2005, at Harrisburg Hospital, Harrisburg.
Born in Harrisburg, on Aug. 28, 1940, he was a son of the late Richard A. and Margaret E. Teats Witmer who survives him of Dalmatia.
He had worked at Harmon Stoves, Halifax, and had worked in the past for Shelbi Industries, Pillow; the former Kenny Shoe Co, Millersburg; former Willits Shoe Factory, Halifax; former Mars Shoe ware, Elizabethville.
He served in the U.S. Army as a PFC in the Korean War. He had memberships with the Fisherville Fire Co. No. 1; Millersburg American Legion Post No. 326; and Halifax VFW Post No. 5750.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Nancy Witmer.
In addition to his mother, he is Survived by his wife Kay J. Musser Witmer, with whom he would have celebrated 24 years of marriage; a sister, Peggy D. Miller of Dalmatia; two nieces and a nephew.
Memorial Service were held Saturday, March 26, at the Polk Personal Care Center, Millersburg. Interment was at the convenience of the family.
Donations may be made to Fisherville Fire Co. No. 1 Box 625 Halifax, PA 17032. Hoover Funeral Home, Inc., Millersburg was in charge of the arrangements.
Gene E. Bendigo Sr.
Gene E. "Skip" Bendigo Sr., 78, of Tower City, died Tuesday, March 22, 2005, at Select Specialty Hospital, Camp Hill.
Born in Williamstown, Jan. 9 1927, he was a son of the late Lynn Bendigo and Viola Meese Bendigo Zerbe.
He was a graduate of the former Porter Township High School and an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II.
He attended the St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Orwin.
He was owner of Bendigo Airport, which he founded in 1947 and opened to the public in 1963. He was a licensed commercial pilot.
He retired in 1977 as a firefighter from Fort Indiantown Gap department of Defense. He also owned and operated Bendigo Fire Equipment, retiring in 1985.
He was active with all of the local fire companies, a member of the Schuylkill and Dauphin County Firemans Association, Distelfink Aero Club, International Flying Farmers Association.
He was a former Rush Township tax collector, and was formerly active with state and local politics. He was also active in the Tower City/Porter Township Veterans memorial in Tower City.
Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Helen T. Kessler Bendigo; a daughter, Barbara J. Brown of Williamstown; three sons, Gene D. Jr. of Oberlin, Paul L. of Reading, and Brian L. of Enola; two sisters, Carol Moyer of Jim Thorpe, and Jane Bernhardy of Williamsport; and nine grandchildren.
Services were held Saturday, March 19, from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Homes Inc., Tower City, with the Rev. Edward Gobrecht officiating. Interment was in the St. Peter's Cemetery, Orwin.
Memorial donations may be made to Gene E. Bendigo Sr., Fireman's Fund (to help support all local fire companies) c/o MidPenn Banks, 545 E. Grand Ave., Tower City, PA 17980 or Hillside SPCA, Hillside Road, Pottsville, PA 17901. Dimon Funeral Homes Inc., Tower City, was in charge of arrangements.
