Virginia Marie (Luther) Witney, 78, of Lititz, formerly from Pittsburgh, passed away Sunday evening, Oct. 28, 2012 surrounded by family.

She was born Oct. 20, 1934 in West Homestead and was the daughter of the late William E. and Virginia (West) Luther and adored wife of Richard P. Witney.

Virginia was a graduate of Duquesne University with a degree in education and taught in the North Hills School District of Allegheny County and Alcoa, Tenn. At Duquesne, she was a member of the Alpha Phi Omicron-Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, the Red Masquers and was president of the Catholic Student Association. She was a past president of the Peters Township School Board and served on the board for 13 years and was a strong proponent of the arts in education. She was also a past president of the South Hills Area School Districts Association (SHASDA) and served as Washington County Legislative chairman for the Pennsylvania School Board Association (PSBA).

She was a local antique dealer, exhibiting her antiques at shops and shows in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, most recently in Lititz.

Robert E. Lausch, 87, of Lititz and formerly of Ephrata, passed away Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012 at Luther Acres in Lititz, where he resided.

Robert’s wife, the late Dorothy M. Lausch, passed away in 2001. Born in Akron, Robert was the son of the late David B. and Alverta (Brown) Lausch.

Robert graduated from Ephrata High School in 1943 and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theater. After graduating from Lancaster Business College, he accepted a job at Brownstown National Bank, from where he retired as its president. He was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Ephrata and a member of Blue Lodge #665 F&AM, also in Ephrata. Robert enjoyed boating and fishing.

Surviving are two sons: R. Dale, husband of Shirley Lausch, of Grand Rapids, Mich.; and Ray M. Lausch, of Ephrata; two granddaughters: Julie, wife of Alex Wiseman, of Grand Rapids, Mich.; and Kelly, wife of Steve Wieczynski, of Baltimore, Md.; four great-granddaughters: Lexi, Ella and Meredith Wiseman and Kate Wieczynski; one brother: Clair Lausch, of Akron; and his special friend: Doris L. Randall, of Ephrata.

Arthur Van Gelder, 74, of Lititz, passed away Monday, Oct. 29, 2012 at Moravian Manor, Lititz.

He lived in Lititz since 2003 and previously lived in Scranton; Easton; Oxford, Ohio; Newark, N.J.; Tenefly, N.J.; Madison, N.J.; and Midland Park, N.J.

Born in Paterson, N.J., he was the son of Florence McDonald Van Gelder, of Lititz, and the late Arthur Van Gelder. He was the husband of Kay Van Newall Van Gelder.

Arthur received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Pennsylvania and received his PhD in electrical engineering from City College of New York. He was a professor of electrical engineering at various universities. Arthur was an active member of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).

He volunteered at Moravian Manor in Lititz, where he was past president of the residents’ association and served on the board of trustees at that time. He later served on the Moravian Manor finance committee.

Arthur enjoyed playing bridge, listening to classical music and doing crossword puzzles.

Surviving in addition to his wife and mother are two daughters: Linda Van Gelder, of Bethesda, Md.; and Laurie Van Gelder, of Richmond, Calif.; and a brother: James Van Gelder, of Merchantville, N.J.

Alexandrea Olivia "Ali" Valdespino, 21, of Lititz, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior Friday morning, Nov. 2, 2012.

Born in Hershey, she is the daughter of Ricardo and Nancy Emley Valdespino, of Lititz.

Ali was a 2010 graduate of Warwick High School, where she was a member of the girl’s basketball team. She loved playing basketball and taking part in Bible study groups. She attended the Worship Center of Lancaster.

Ali will be lovingly remembered by her parents: Rick and Nancy; her three brothers: Ricardo Valdespino Jr., of Lancaster; Michael Vincent, husband of Jamie Valdespino, of Stevens; and Stephen Martin Valdespino, of Lititz; her niece: Alexis Olivia Valdespino; her nephew: Gavin Michael Valdespino; and her paternal grandmother: Aurora P. Valdespino. She will also be in the hearts of her aunts and uncles: Conception P. Valdespino; Felix Valdespino; Isabel Rios; Josephina Pedraza; Barbara Rzemien; and Jill Royston and Tom Durden; and her cousins: Lisette, Joseph and Amanda Torano; Andrew Valdespino; John and Tom Durden; Tisha Singer; J.P. Royston; Vanessa Sanchez; Rudy, Carlos and Leo Pedraza; and Lordes Hollmann and Jose Rios.

Ali’s life celebration memorial service was held at The Worship Center, Lancaster, Nov. 6, with Pastor Sam Smucker officiating.

Gloria Dittrick Foote, 70, of Denver, passed away Monday, Oct. 29, 2012 at Manor Care Nursing Home, Lancaster.

She was born in Lititz to the late Alvin and Stella (Ludwig) Ulrich.

Gloria worked as a waitress at Zinn’s Diner and later Deluxe Restaurant in Shillington. She loved her family, enjoyed shopping, traveling and liked meeting new customers at her job.

Gloria is survived by two sons: Clayton Andrew, husband of Donna (Garman) Dittrick, of Akron; and Harry E., husband of Nicole Dittrick, of Newport News, Va.; a daughter: Holly A. Stanley, of Hampton, Va.; a brother: Nelson, husband of Virginia Ulrich, of Denver; two sisters: E. Fay Daub, of Denver; and Jeanette, wife of Harold Bauman, of Stevens; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant brother and sister: Russell and Betty Ulrich; and a sister: Hazel Rogers.

A memorial service will be held Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. at the Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, N. Seventh St., Akron, with Pastor Leslie Cool officiating. Those desiring may attend the interment service at 2 p.m. at the Mellingers Union Cemetery, Schoeneck.

Margaret R. "Peggy" Wagner Dahlen, 89, of Maryland, formerly of Brethren Village and Baltimore, went home to be with her Lord Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012.

She was born in Mt. Joy Aug. 14, 1923 to the late Elmer and Martha (Royer) Randler.

Peggy was a member of the VFW Post #5752 in Mt. Joy and the American Legion of Baltimore.

She was a member of the LifeSpring Fellowship in Lititz.

She will always be remembered by her sweet smile, kindness, selflessness and her ability to enrich the lives of all she touched.

She is survived by her son: Rev. Gerald, wife of Rev. Rebecca Wagner, of Maryland; daughters-in-law: Janice Homsher, of Pennsylvania; and Sharon Cook, of Maryland; eight grandchildren: Joan, wife of Billy Yates, of Texas; Brian, husband of Cathi Randler, of North Carolina; Bill Randler and friend, Denise, of Bainbridge; Arlene, wife of Doug Weaver, of Sarasota, Fla.; Terri Michael, of Pennsylvania; Gerald L. Wagner II, of New York; Paul L. Wagner, of Maryland; and Suzanne Shelby, of Texas; a special granddaughter-in-law: Jamie Harkins, of Pennsylvania; 12 great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.

Lt. Col. Martin Robert Karig, III (Army, retired), 66, of Lancaster, died suddenly surrounded by his family in San Antonio, Texas, Friday, Nov. 2, 2012. Bob was in San Antonio attending an alumni association reunion of Alpha Troop 2nd Squadron/17th Calvary 101st Airborne Division (Air Mobile/Assault), of which he was a founding father and driving force in the association.

Born in Middletown, N.Y., he was the son of the late Martin R. Karig, Jr. and Dorothy Kortright Karig. He held a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Alfred University, a master’s degree in business administration from Georgetown University, and had studied international business at Oxford University.

Bob was a career Army officer who served two combat tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, before retiring from active military duty in 1989. Among his medals and citations were the Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal and two Air Medals, one awarded for valor. Bob worked in the Pentagon while in the Army and then as a civilian for the University of Maryland and also served on a consortium for Lockheed Martin.

Paul L. Anderson, 77, of Lititz, took the hand of Jesus Nov. 4, 2012, in Mifflin County.

Born in Mattawana, he was the son of the late Philip and Francis Heister Anderson. He was married for 51 years to Barbara Knable Anderson.

Paul served in the U.S. Army, attended Grace Church of Lititz, and was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers of Local Union No. 19.

He enjoyed reading, traveling, going on mission trips, and spending time at his cabin in Mifflin County. Most of all, he loved his God, his family, and serving others.

He is survived by his wife: Barbara; daughters: Paula A. Burger, wife of Dennis, Lititz; Patti J. Phillips, Lititz; granddaughters: Jenna, Meredith, and Kalah Burger and Emma Jo Phillips; brothers: Ralph Anderson, husband of Nina; Fern Anderson, husband of Jan; sisters: Helen Passmore, wife of Charles; and Dorothy Ellinger; and a sister-in-law: Hazel Fisher, wife of Max; all of Mifflin County.

He was preceded in death by a brother: William.

Funeral Services will be held Nov. 8, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Grace Church, 501 W. Lincoln Ave., Lititz, with a viewing from 9:30 a.m. until time of service. Burial will be in Witness Park, Lititz. Contributions may be made in Paul’s memory to the Mission Fund at Grace Church.

Bruce Morgan

Record Express

Sports Editor I’ve got to admit that I was one of the last members of our staff to join the Facebook world a couple of years ago.

Even now, some of my friends in nearby cubicles can’t help getting a chuckle as I struggle periodically trying to navigate the system. Yes, I can manage to find the power button, but it’s not exactly a well-kept secret that I still have a lot to learn. Last week, however, I was glad to be a Facebook user. It became the forum for a productive discussion with a couple readers of our newspaper.

The topic at the heart of it was a volleyball photo which appeared on the front page of the sports section in the Record Express showing, as one reader observed, "derriere hanging out of their WAY too short volleyball uniforms." First, let me apologize to any of our readers who found this to be inappropriate. We do take readers concerns seriously, so it’s obviously something that was important to us. To be honest with you, my focus when selecting the photo for the top of the page was that it was a good shot of Warwick’s Emily Buckwalter hitting the ball over the net in the District playoffs. It never crossed my mind that there might be something inappropriate or distasteful in the photo involving one of the Wilson players on the other side of the net.

Since reaching the 2009 PIAA State Triple-A championship game, the Manheim Central football has gone just 1-2 combined in the post-season the past two seasons.

And to avoid a repeat of last year’s first-round exit in the District Three Triple-A playoffs, when they dropped a 34-31 triple OT loss to Palmyra, 11th-seeded Central will need to solve a well-balanced Garden Spot squad. The Barons and 6th-seeded Spartans will go head-to-head this Friday in a District opener in New Holland at 7 p.m.

Going into the final week of the regular season last Friday, Garden Spot (10-0) boasted Section Three’s top-ranked defense with just 168.4 yards allowed per game and the second-best offense with 330.9 yards per game. The Spartans went on to defeat Pequea Valley 42-7 to lock up the Section championship.

As a team, Garden Spot had rushed for 2,029 yards out of its Pistol-Spread offense in nine games, led by Adam Haas (1,030 yards, 16 TD’s) and QB Mitch Martin (549 yards, 9 TD’s). Martin is also a threat through the air, completing 66 of 117 passes for 910 yards and 12 touchdowns, making him the second-rated passer in Section Three. His favorite targets are Austin Haas (16 receptions, 158 yards, 1 TD) and Tanner Reed (13-285, 6 TD’s).