James E. Sherer

James Elwood "Woody" Sherer, 87, of Manheim, died unexpectedly Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011 at the Lancaster General Hospital.

Born in Rapho Township, he was the son of the late Dawson and Annie Gantz Sherer. He was the husband of Mary Ann Ward Sherer, and they would have celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in December.

A farmer most of his life, Woody drove truck for Yellow Freight, Lancaster, for over 30 years. He was a member of East Fairview Church of the Brethren, Manheim, and a 1942 graduate of Manheim Central High School where he was a state runner-up in wrestling in 1942. He won back-to-back national championships in the National Truck Driving Rodeo in 1981 and 1982.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons: James E., husband of Crystal Zimmerman Sherer, of Manheim; and Christopher Horn, of Bainbridge; three daughters: Karen Enck, of Elizabethtown; Kimberly, wife of Dennis Rohrer, of Lititz; and Kathleen, wife of Ed Mohr, of Bainbridge; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a sister: Alice White, of Manheim. He was preceded in death by two sisters: Florence Gainer and Mary Groff.

Harold M. Shenk

Harold M. Shenk, 76, of Manheim, died Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2011 at Hospice of Lancaster County in Mount Joy. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May.

He was born in Penn Township on March 19, 1935, the son of the late John M. and Martha (Dyer) Shenk. He is survived by his wife Joan (Killheffer) Shenk. They would have celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on Sept. 11.

He was a 1953 graduate of Manheim High School and was self-employed as a dairy farmer for many years. The Shenks preserved their Penn Township farm in 2003. Mr. Shenk also worked for Sporting Valley Turf Farm, Manheim, and E. R. Carpenter Co., Lititz.

He was an avid golfer, card player (bridge and pinochle) and sports fan. He enjoyed travel, including trips to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Mackinaw Island, Michigan, Alaska and Ireland.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two brothers: J. Robert Shenk, Manheim; and John Wilbur Shenk, Salisbury, Md.; a sister: Doris, wife of Clayton M. Brubaker, Mountville; a son: Jeffrey L. Shenk, Manheim; a daughter: Jennifer A. Shenk, Manheim; a son: Michael H. Shenk, New York, N.Y.; a daughter: Julia E., wife of Scott Kline, Manheim; and two grandchildren: Maggie (Kline) Snively, Fla.; and Daniel Kline, Mount Joy.

Marlin H. Mummau

Marlin H. Mummau, 77, of Manheim, entered into eternal life Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011 surrounded by his loving family at Hospice of Lancaster County, Mount Joy.

Born in Manheim, he was the son of the late Abram R. and Frances Hollinger Mummau. Marlin is survived by his wife of 56 years, Catherine "Kay" Robinson Mummau.

Marlin started his working career as an independent truck driver; he then was employed as a long distance truck driver for the Charles Chips Company. He was also the owner and operator of Mar-Kay Distributors, Manheim, from 1972 to 1985. After retiring, he returned to driving truck part-time for Todd Berry Trucking and Mid-State Delivery Service.

He was a life-long resident of Manheim and a 54-year member of Salem United Methodist Church, Manheim, where he served faithfully as captain of the usher and offering teams for many years.

In 1984, Marlin was elected to the Manheim Central School Board and served two terms. He enjoyed vacationing at the beach with his family and spending winters at his home in Naples, Fla. His other interests were attending public sales, listening to polka music and following the Phillies. His life-long passion was his family, and he was a proud father and grandfather to his children and grandchildren and loved spending quality time with his large family.

Hazel Moore-Musser

Hazel Windle Moore-Musser died Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011 at the United Zion Retirement Community in Lititz.

Hazel was the daughter of Harold G. and Christelle E. Jebb Windle and spent her childhood years in the Highland Township and Cochranville area of Chester County. She was the wife of the late J. Howard Moore, who died April 14, 2008. Hazel later met Richard Musser and the couple married on Nov. 10, 2009.

Hazel graduated from Cochranville High School in 1941 and as a music major from West Chester State College in 1944, when she sang the honor solo at her commencement.

She taught music at the Warwick Township Schools from 1957 until she retired in 1981. She continued teaching as a substitute in three nearby districts.

She discovered music as a junior in high school and was in demand as a soprano soloist at private and public functions. She was director of the youth choirs of the Lititz Moravian Church from 1963 to 1974, as well as a member of the senior choir. She sang with the Lancaster Opera Workshop and served as treasurer of the Lancaster Opera Company Associates. During her college years she had her own half-hour weekly program on radio station WDEL in Wilmington, Del., being introduced as "the lovely Lea Windell." She was a soloist for the Moravian Christmas Vigils, the senior choir and at local retirement facilities. Hazel was a dedicated teacher and was an inspiration to thousands of children and young adults over the years.

Marian G. Minnich

Marian G. Minnich, 89, formerly of Green Acre Road, Lititz, died Monday, Aug. 15, 2011 at the United Zion Retirement Community, Lititz.

Born in Penn Township, she was the daughter of the late Elmer B. and Lottie Graybill Hess. Marian was the loving wife of the late Earl F. Minnich, who died in October 2004.

From 1952 to 1988, she and her husband owned and operated Minnich’s Farm Bakery, Lititz.

She was a member of the White Oak Church of the Brethren, Manheim. Marian was also an auxiliary member of Gideon’s International, Lancaster North Camp. She served as a volunteer with Meals On Wheels in the Lititz area. Marian’s interests included knitting, gardening, baking and traveling. She had a passion for hospitality to her friends, family and visitors and served wonderful meals in her home. In her later years, she spent time knitting baby comforters for orphanages and made cookies to bless family, friends and various charities.

Mabel W. Mellinger

Mabel W. Mellinger, 101, a resident of Landis Homes, was called to her eternal home by her Lord and Savior Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2011.

She was the wife of the late William G. Mellinger, who died in 1999. Born May 22, 1910 in East Lampeter Township, she was the daughter of the late Jacob G. and Lizzie Burkhart Witmer.

Mrs. Mellinger was a homemaker and a charter member of the Neffsville Mennonite Church. Mabel also spent many years working at Central Market. She ended her market days working for Shutt’s Fudge.

A highlight of her time spent at market was serving fudge to President George H. W. Bush and Governor Dick Thornburgh.

Mabel volunteered at Lancaster General Hospital as a Gray Lady for 37 years and retired in 2000 with almost 6,000 hours of accumulated volunteer time. She enjoyed crocheting, raising violets and was known for her homemade apple dumplings and noodles.

J. Chester Bucher, 95, of Manheim, died at home Thursday evening, Aug. 18, 2011.

He was predeceased by his wife, Myrtle N., in 2005. Born Aug. 15, 1916, he was the son of the late Jonas H. and Ada M. (Peifer) Bucher.

He was a member of the East Petersburg Mennonite Church, where he served as Sunday school superintendent, elder and participant in the Paul/Timothy mentoring program. He taught Sunday school for 45 years and was active with Mennonite Disaster Service. He made mission trips to St. Croix, Ontario, and Atlanta to assist with disaster relief.

He farmed in the East Petersburg area and then worked 14 years with his late brother Elam Bucher, building many houses in the Owl Hill development. He was self-employed, beginning in 1974, as a painter and remodeler. He enjoyed gardening, woodworking projects, reading, baking cookies and making applesauce.

Surviving are a son: James C., husband of Lois Myer Bucher, of Manheim; two daughters: Trilda J. Bucher, of Lancaster; and Ruth A., wife of Charles J. Torielli, of Ridgewood, N.J.; six grandchildren: Calvin, Brenda, Ken, Josie, Kathryn and Joel; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; two sisters: Mae, wife of Warren Weaver, of Lancaster; and Esther, wife of Russel Hollinger, of Mount Joy; and one brother: Melvin, husband of Alta Bucher, of Lititz.

David E. Steffen has been appointed chief of police for Warwick Township.

His appointment by vote of the Warwick Township Board of Supervisors followed a unanimous recommendation by the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department task force. Chief Steffen’s appointment took effect Aug. 15.

Steffen, 53, leads Warwick Township’s 13-officer force as the next step in a 32-year law enforcement career. Most recently, Steffen concluded 27 years of service with the Northern York County Regional Police Department, a 50-officer department serving 70,000 residents.

Steffen began his NYCRPD career as a patrol officer and retired as detective sergeant in charge of the department’s criminal investigations unit.

“I am looking forward to assuming command of the Warwick Township Police Department,” said Chief Steffen. “Warwick is well-known as a progressive township with a regional outlook, which goes very well with my background. We will be stressing community policing and community involvement, with an emphasis on transparency and interaction with the wider community,” the chief added.

Steffen plans to implement that same law enforcement and leadership philosophy as chief of the planned Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department, a merger of the Warwick, Clay and Penn Township police departments, tentatively scheduled to take effect early in 2012.

Three  generations of craft show dedication

By: LYNN REBUCK Record Express Correspondent

To Karen Tyson, the Lititz Rotary Craft Show is serious business. Any she isn’t even a vendor.

Tyson is a craft show aficionado, and a huge fan of the Rotary show. In fact, the Lititz resident pencils it in on her calendar years in advance.

“The second Saturday in August has a forever reservation on my calendar,” she said. “The only unknowns are: What will the weather be? Who will join me? And, what’s the must-have item you see everyone walking around with?”

For the most part, the weather cooperated on a cooler, cloudy day in downtown Lititz. But that hasn’t always been the case.

“I remember the year a thunderstorm came in mid-morning and had us scrambling to find cover,” she said. “I barely fit under the tiny rafter of one of the Main Street buildings with my two lampshades. She recalled watching vendor’s products, including purses, float by in the gutter.

This year Tyson was joined by her friend Linda Page, also a resident of Lititz. It’s the fourth year they have attended together. “We do birthday shopping, Christmas shopping, shopping for ourselves,” said Page.

What makes Lititz’s ‘Big Show’ so big?

By: LAURIE KNOWLES CALLANAN Record Express Correspondent

With more than 500 crafters and a crowd estimated at 40,000, there is one question you can’t help but ask when it comes to the annual Lititz Rotary Craft Show.

Why?

Why do some many people gather in Lititz on the second Saturday of August each year? How did a little craft show that started with a handful of stands back in 1979 and a modest crowd of craft-lovers get to be so big? Why is it pretty much impossible to park in Lititz on that one day of the year? How did the Rotary Craft Show get bigger than the Lititz Outdoor Art Show and the nation’s oldest Fourth of July festivities? What draws people to brave the crowds to buy old spoons transformed into decorative garden dragonflies, custom dog collars, little girls’ dresses and colorful hand-knit scarves?

On Craft Show day (last Saturday, Aug. 13, in case you missed it), we set out to get some answers, and it seemed that just about everybody had a theory.