By: STEPHEN SEEBER Record Express Staff, Staff Writer

Photos by Preston WhitcraftLocal veterans and community members met at Lititz Springs Park last Friday night to remember prisoners of war and those still missing.

A small crowd gathered in front of Lititz Springs Park to shed some light on a big issue that doesn’t seem to get enough attention — missing soldiers from our country’s wars and conflicts.

Sept. 21 was National POW/MIA Recognition Day, a moment to set aside military men and women, from World War I to the Iraq War, who are unaccounted for to this day.

"These people need to be honored and not forgotten, because their families don’t have closure," said Anne Loechner, Lititz VFW Ladies Auxiliary member and one of the organizers of the event. "We’ll keep praying and keep pushing our government to never give up the search."

Among the missing are three neighbors of the Lititz community:

? James Edward Hunsicker of Denver, a soldier in the U.S. Army who vanished in South Vietnam on April 24, 1972.

? Henry Gerald Gish of Lancaster, U.S. Air Force, who disappeared in Laos on March 11, 1968.

By: STEPHEN SEEBER Record Express Staff, Staff Writer

Photos by Preston WhitcraftLocal veterans and community members met at Lititz Springs Park last Friday night to remember prisoners of war and those still missing.

A small crowd gathered in front of Lititz Springs Park to shed some light on a big issue that doesn’t seem to get enough attention — missing soldiers from our country’s wars and conflicts.

Sept. 21 was National POW/MIA Recognition Day, a moment to set aside military men and women, from World War I to the Iraq War, who are unaccounted for to this day.

"These people need to be honored and not forgotten, because their families don’t have closure," said Anne Loechner, Lititz VFW Ladies Auxiliary member and one of the organizers of the event. "We’ll keep praying and keep pushing our government to never give up the search."

Among the missing are three neighbors of the Lititz community:

? James Edward Hunsicker of Denver, a soldier in the U.S. Army who vanished in South Vietnam on April 24, 1972.

? Henry Gerald Gish of Lancaster, U.S. Air Force, who disappeared in Laos on March 11, 1968.

Bette L. Zimmerman, 84, of Boyertown, formerly of Lititz, wife of the late Marvin M. Zimmerman, passed away Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012.

Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Attrenis T. and Lydia (Miller) Zook.

Bette designed and built four houses, including an adobe home in New Mexico. She was an avid artist and ran her own school bus driving business for IU 13 in Lancaster County. She was also actively involved in her community church choir and chamber music ensemble in Cedar Crest, New Mexico.

Surviving are daughters: Mary Kae (Zimmerman) Coy and Lisa M. (Zimmerman) Steele; sons: Gerald A. and Dean A. Zimmerman; 11 grandchildren; four great- grandchildren; three sisters; and one brother.

A memorial service was celebrated Sept. 22 at New Life Bible Fellowship Church, Oley. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bette’s memory to Mountain Side United Methodist Church, 4 Penny Lane, Cedar Crest, NM 87008.

Catagnus Funeral Home & Cremation Center Inc., 1020 E. Philadelphia Ave., Gilbertsville is in charge of arrangements.

View obituaries or send condolences at catagnusfuneralhomes.com.

Roy B. Spangler, 91, formerly of East Petersburg, passed away Monday, Sept. 16, 2012 at Pleasant View Retirement Community.

He was the husband of the late Thelma Brosey Spangler, who died in 1995. Born in West Cocalico Township, he was the son of the late John and Irene Butzer Spangler.

Roy retired after 35 years from the Hamilton Watch and Precision Metals Company. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy, proudly serving on the U.S.S. Montauk. Roy was a member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Rothsville, and enjoyed traveling, hunting, pinochle and attending auctions. After his retirement, he took up chair caning and enjoyed attending local craft fairs.

Surviving are two children: Larry, husband of Lucille Spangler, of Ephrata; and Lynn Kauffman, of Lancaster; four grandchildren: Larry, husband of Mary Catherine Spangler Jr., of Keller, Texas; Kurt, husband of Lynne Spangler, of Wayne; Christina, wife of Matthew Wendler, of Eagle River, Ark.; and Casey, wife of Curtis Griffin, of Plumas Lake, Calif.; and seven great-grandchildren.

His sisters: Isabelle Gehman and Esther Usner preceded him in death.

Roy’s life celebration was held Sept. 26 at Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Lititz, with Rev. David A. Rike officiating. Interment took place in Rothsville Lutheran Cemetery.

Benuel Stoltzfus Smucker, four-month-old infant son of Eli S. and Lydia Stoltzfus Smucker, of Lititz, died Monday, Sept. 24, 2012 unexpectedly.

Also surviving are a sister: Emma, at home; maternal grandparents: David and Sadie Stoltzfus, of Peach Bottom; paternal grandparents: Amos and Marian Smucker, of Leola; maternal great-grandmother: Sadie Beiler, of Gordonville; and paternal great-grandparents: Jacob and Malinda Smucker and Menno and Fannie Stoltzfus, all of Leola.

The funeral was held Sept. 26 from the late home. Interment took place in Sun Hill Cemetery, Lititz.

For more information, visit furmanfuneralhome.com.

Nancy B. Riddle, 70, of Lititz, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012 at her residence after enduring a terminal disease for the past six years.

She was the wife of James B. Riddle, with whom she shared 48 years of marriage this past Jan. 4. Born in Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late Stephen J. and Helen Nemeth Boligitz.

Nancy was an outstanding teacher, teaching first grade for 27 years at the Nathan Schaeffer Elementary School in Lancaster. Her students loved her and she made the classroom exciting in her use of teddy bears in her lesson plans. With her students, she would visit local nursing homes during the Christmas season to distribute teddy bears to the residents. She was a 1963 graduate of Millersville University with a BS in Education. Nancy was an avid tennis player, enjoyed knitting, playing bridge, reading and was an antique collector. She also enjoyed traveling, especially to Cape Cod. She was a member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son: Michael J. Riddle, of Lancaster; her daughter: Jennifer L., married to Greg Harrington, of Stevens, PA; her three grandchildren: Brianna Hurley, Alexandra N. Harrington and Daniel J. Harrington; and her brother: Stephen Boligitz, of Wind Gap.

Donald "Pete" Reighard Sr., of Lititz, passed away Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012 at Hospice and Community Care, Lancaster.

He was the husband of the late Ruth M. Craft Reighard, who died in 2007. Born in Lewistown, he was the son of the late Lester Norman and Gladys Elizabeth Seece Reighard.

Pete has served in the Pennsylvania National Guard and was of the protestant faith. He was an owner/operator for Daily Trucking, Carlisle, and Donald "Pete" Reighard Contracting, Lititz. Pete was a member of the Re-Tread Motorcycle Club since 1980 and the Happy Pappies. He enjoyed motorcycles and model trains.

Surviving are three children: Donald "Pete" Jr., husband of Doris Reighard, of Elizabethtown; and Joan Reighard and Robert Reighard, both of Lititz; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his brothers: William and Wayne; and his sisters: Iona, Naomi, Dorothy, June and Barbara.

Pete’s life celebration was held Sept. 24 at Spacht Funeral Home, Lititz, with the Rev. R. Victor Shifler officiating. Interment will be private.

Elmer E. Pierce, 81, of Ephrata, passed away Monday, Sept. 17, 2012 at Ephrata Community Hospital after a lengthy illness.

He was the husband of Shirley A. (Hess) Pierce and son of the late John L. and Lillie (Trostle) Pierce.

Elmer was born in Berks County and moved to Lincoln with his family when he was four years old.

He was a 1949 graduate of Ephrata High School and served in the U.S. Army.

Elmer was employed at the former W.W. Moyer Co. in Ephrata for 31 years. He later was a rural mail carrier and was most recently employed at Grant Heilman Photography in Lititz.

Elmer was a member of Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ in Lincoln-Ephrata, where he served as deacon and treasurer for 50 years. He was also a member of the Ephrata American Legion Post 429, a life member of Lincoln Fire Co. (past chief) and was a Boy Scout leader of Troop #70.

Elmer was one of the first to bowl a perfect 300 game at Dutch Lanes.

Emma Ruth Peifer, 86, died at Brethren Village Retirement Community on Saturday, September 22, 2012.

Born in Lancaster and raised in Manheim, she was the daughter of the late Ezra W. and Martha Henny Eichelberger. A homemaker and farmer’s wife, she was married to the late Mervin E. Peifer for 53 years before his death in 2001.

Emma Ruth left Manheim High School during World War II to work at the former Raybestos Asbestos plant in Manheim. She enjoyed raising capon chickens with her family on their Manheim Township farm when her children were in 4-H. Emma Ruth also volunteered at the Manheim Farm Show French fry stand for 25 years. She attended Hempfield Church of the Brethren and was a member of Farm Women #5. For many years, she never missed a Barnstormers game on the radio. Emma Ruth enjoyed a special relationship with her nurses at Brethren Village.

Surviving are three children: Linda M., wife of Allen Esbenshade, of Mount Joy; Susan A., wife of Douglas Glouner, of Lititz; and Michael E. Peifer, husband of Deneise, of Flowery Branch, Ga.; six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; and her sister: Lorraine Riehl, of Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Anna Mary Weaver Neff, 90, of Brethren Village, Lancaster, passed away surrounded by her family at Brethren Village Monday morning, Sept. 24, 2012 following a long and full life.

Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late S. Clyde and Emma Weaver Weaver. She was the wife of the late Paul L. Neff, who died May 1, 2011.

Mrs. Neff was a graduate of Hempfield High School. She was an active member of the Hempfield Church of the Brethren, where she served as a lifetime deaconess since 1946. She also was a member of the women’s fellowship of the church and Brethren Village Auxiliary. Being the daughter of founder S. Clyde Weaver, founder of S. Clyde Weaver Meats and Smoked Cheeses, she established the bakery there in 1963, continuing to develop and grow the department until her retirement. Her husband also later owned the business. She lived out her gift of hospitality by serving her church, community, family and international guests, including foreign exchange students and refugee families. She and her husband enjoyed traveling extensively in both the U.S. and internationally, including Europe and South America.