Obituaries Section
David G. “Dave” Strayer
93, U.S. Army, former Camp Mack Ranger
David G. "Dave" Strayer, 93, went to be with his savior Thursday, May 16, 2013, at Audubon Villa.
He served in the U.S. Army from February 1942 until October 1945, in an intelligence and reconnaissance platoon of the 29th Infantry Regiment in Europe.
Dave was a member of Lititz United Methodist Church, the Lititz VFW and was a 56-year veteran of the Boy Scouts of America. He collected stamps and coins and enjoyed visits from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dave retired from National Cash Register and the Boy Scouts of America as Camp Ranger of Camp Mack near Lititz.
He was preceded in death by siblings, William "Bill" Strayer, George "Bud" Strayer and Sara Ann Reaber.
Surviving are his wife of 69 years: Agnes deVink Strayer; children: Dawn Fay Morgan, John D. Strayer and Barry L. Strayer; sister: Amy Reid; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service and interment will be held at a later date.
Arrangements by Auer Cremation Services of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Posted: May 22nd, 2013 under Obituaries.
Myrtle B Snyder
93, Farmers First retiree, active
church member, volunteer
Myrtle B. Snyder, 93, of Pleasant View Retirement Community, passed away May 14, 2013.
Born in Warwick Township, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Mary Ritter Bushong. She shared 38 years of marriage with the late Guy S. Snyder, who passed away in 1995.
A 1937 graduate of Rothsville High School, Myrtle worked at Farmers First Bank in Lititz for 29 years prior to her retirement in 1984. She was a lifetime member of St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, formerly Reformed Church of Lititz, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, sang in the choir, served on numerous committees and was a deacon. She volunteered for 20 years with Meals on Wheels in Lititz and in the Pleasant View gift shop. Myrtle loved her 12 nieces and nephews and their families, who were all very special to her.
She is survived by her brother: H. Ray Bushong, Manheim; sister: Mary Jane Hartman, Denver, Colo.; and sister-in-law: Alice Snyder, Lititz. She was preceded in death by her brothers: Samuel and Jacob Bushong.
Posted: May 22nd, 2013 under Obituaries.
Sol Schwartz
88, WWII vet, former letter
carrier and bank employee
Sol Schwartz, 88, of Lititz, died unexpectedly Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of the late Harry and Bessie Schwartz. He was married for 59 years to Marian Schwartz.
Sol worked in New York for the Postal Service as a letter carrier and for several banks in New York over the years. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and subsequently volunteered for numerous Veterans events. A patient and very generous man, he loved his family dearly and was an avid N.Y. Yankees and N.Y. Giants fan.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters: Janice Shabtay of Lititz; Judy Cutrupi, wife of Vincent of Staten Island, N.Y.; a son: Richard, husband of Gail Schwartz of Staten Island, N.Y.; and five grandchildren: Brandon Cutrupi; Laura and Zack Schwartz; and Talia Bess and David Shabtay.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to The Greater Pennsylvania Alzheimer’s Association, 3544 North Progress Ave., Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or his Grandchildren’s Education Fund: c/o Fulton Bank, 481 Royer Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601.
Posted: May 22nd, 2013 under Obituaries.
Kenneth L. Martin
64, former Warwick Twp., police chief
Kenneth L. Martin, 64, of Lititz, died peacefully following a courageous battle with cancer Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at Hospice and Community Care, Mount Joy with his wife by his side.
Born in Ephrata, he was the son of Erma (Shafer) Martin and the late Paul S. Martin. Ken was the loving husband of Anita (Kulp) Martin and they would have observed their 19th wedding anniversary in June of this year. Ken retired as an armored truck driver from Brinks Inc. Previously; he was employed at Luther Acres Retirement Community, Lititz and earlier served in the Warwick Township Police Department as sergeant and chief. A 1966 graduate of Ephrata Senior High School, he was a life-long hunter and fisherman, and a faithful and active member of the Brunnerville Hunting Camp in Potter County. He was also a life member of the National Rifle Association, the North American Hunting Club and a past member of the Ephrata Pioneer Fire Company.
Ken, affectionately known as "Pa Pa," was adored by his grandchildren and will be sadly missed by friends and family. His other interests included spending time with his family and friends at Buttonwood Beach, his boat known as "Hammerhead," working in his yard and flower gardens, watching NASCAR driver Mark Martin and rides in the truck with his beloved beagle dog Lucy.
Posted: May 22nd, 2013 under Obituaries.
Ryan Michael Lefever
34, Millersville grad,
Haller Enterprises employee
Ryan Michael Lefever, 34, of Lititz, passed away suddenly Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center.
Born in Lancaster, he was the son of Larry and Jeanne Lefever of Lititz.
Ryan was a 1998 graduate of Warwick High School, and received his B.S. degree from Millersville University in 2005.
He was a member of Keiser Gun Club and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved the Phillies, Eagles and NASCAR.
Ryan was employed as a customer service rep for Haller Enterprises, Lititz, last working on Friday.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his daughter: Kendall, who was daddy’s little girl and the true love of his life; two sisters: Tiffanie Weiler (Chris) and Amy Haines (Michael), all of Lititz; maternal grandparents: Bernard and Jean Huxta of Lancaster; paternal grandfather: Lytle Lefever of Manheim; three nephews: Braidy, Gaibe and Drew Weiler; two nieces: Marley and Abbey Haines; several aunts, uncles and cousins; and Christine Wieniewski and her daughter Kailei Garman, both of Lititz. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother: Jean Lefever, and a nephew: Jack Haines.
Posted: May 22nd, 2013 under Obituaries.
Nikolaus Kampen
73, Lititz, was finishing carpenter
Nikolaus Kampen, 73, Lititz, peacefully passed away into the arms of his Jesus Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at his residence.
He was born in the Ukraine to the late Martin and Katharina (Regier) Kampen and was the husband of Edith (Zimmerman) Kampen with whom he shared 47 years of marriage.
Nikolaus was a member of Hammer Creek Mennonite Church. During his working years, he was a finishing carpenter for Jerry Horst & Son. For many years he enjoyed playing volleyball and fishing.
In addition to his wife, Nikolaus is survived by his children: Rosanne, wife of Darryl Gingerich of AuGres, Mich.; Martin, husband of Kimberly (Wagner) Kampen of Lititz; Loren, husband of Brenda (Weaver) Kampen of Stevens; Katrina, wife of Ryan Schrock of Goshen, Ind.; Anthony, husband of Kimberly (Groff) Kampen of Denver; 17 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a step mother: Helene Kampen; three brothers: Heinz, husband of Helene Kampen; Walter, husband of Dorothea Kampen; and Arthur, husband of Nadine Kampen, all of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; two sisters: Hilda Heinrichs; Renate, wife of Wolf Hein, both of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and a close cousin raised by the family: Hans, husband of Anna Kampen, also of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Posted: May 22nd, 2013 under Obituaries.
James R. Johnson, Jr.
83, U.S. Air Force, CIGNA and Nationwide employee
James R. Johnson, Jr., 83, of Lititz, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2013 at United Zion Retirement Community, Lititz where he had been a resident for two months.
He was born in Columbia Aug. 21, 1929, and was the son of the late James R. and Dorothy Johnson. He was married to Joan Fasnacht Johnson. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters: Elizabeth (Drew) Borowski, North Wales; Susan (Michael) Martin, Jenkintown; Jennifer (John) Horning, Charlotte, N.C.; and five grandchildren: James Friedberg, Amy Friedberg, Molly Martin, Zachary and Tyler Horning.
Jim was a 1947 graduate of the former Lititz High School and a 1951 graduate of Penn State University. He continued his education at the Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania. He served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, two of which were served in Air Intelligence at the Fifth Air Force in Nagoya, Japan.
Jim worked for two Philadelphia insurance companies, the former Insurance Co. of North America, now CIGNA and the former Provident Mutual Insurance Co., now Nationwide. Jim had many interests including travel, the ocean, trout fishing, Penn State football, photography, watching movies, was an avid reader and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by his devoted family and his beloved Irish Setter, Zoey.
Posted: May 22nd, 2013 under Obituaries.
James K. Hornberger
Veteran, sports card dealer,
Sperry retiree, school custodian
James K. Hornberger, 73, formerly of Ephrata, passed away Friday, May 17, 2013, at Luther Acres, Lititz.
He was born in Reamstown to the late Ralph and Violet (Warner) Hornberger and was the husband of Thelma Mae (Sheaffer) Hornberger, with whom he shared 46 years of marriage.
He was a member of Hope United Methodist Church, Ephrata. A member of the 1958 graduation class of Ephrata High School, James worked at Sperry New Holland, NA until his retirement after 33 years in 1996. He then worked as a custodian for the Ephrata School District until 2002. He was also member of Lincoln Seniors, Friendly Circle, Cloister Post #429 American Legion, and a life member of both the Ephrata Amvets Post #136 and the Cocalico Post #3376 V.F.W. A sports card dealer, he also enjoyed golfing, watching sports on television, wintering in Florida and going to the mountains.
Mr. Hornberger had served in the U.S. Navy, during the Cuban Missile Crisis on the USS Waller.
Posted: May 22nd, 2013 under Obituaries.
Ann M. Halloway
93, served in Army’s Women’s Auxiliary Corps.
Ann M. Halloway, 93, of Lancaster, previously of Rothsville, passed away Monday, May 13, at Homestead Village in Lancaster. Born in Coatesville, she was the daughter of the late Howard E. and Erma Nuttal Winward. Ann was the wife of the late Leslie E. Halloway, who passed away in 1995.
Ann graduated as valedictorian from Parkesburg High School in 1937. She entered military service in 1942 with the United States Army, Women’s Auxiliary Corps, stationed at Camp Crowder in Missouri.
Ann had worked for the West Chester Post Office, and then later with Watt and Shand as a sales clerk, until she retired in 1976. She was a former member of Rothsville United Methodist Church and the American Legion, Post #56 in Lititz.
Ann will be lovingly remembered by her daughter: Linda L., wife of John Marinari, Jr. of Millersville; her granddaughter: Melanie R., wife of Jeffrey Sturgis; her great-grandchildren: Destiny and Aiden Sturgis; and her nephew: Steve Winward. She was preceded in death by her brother: Elmer Winward, and her sister: Betty Jacobs.
Posted: May 22nd, 2013 under Obituaries.
Peggy L. Groff
68, Rothsville, school bus driver
Peggy L. Groff, 68, of Lancaster, formerly of Manheim, Rothsville, and Akron, passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at Essa Flory Hospice Center in Lancaster. Peggy was the wife of William L. Groff.
Born in Lancaster, Peggy was a daughter of the late Ernest and Alberta (Spohn) Ditzler. She was a member of the Worship Center in Lancaster and worked as a school bus driver for Raymond E. Groff, Inc. of Lititz.
In addition to her husband William, she is survived by three sons: Douglas L. Groff, husband of Tammy of Ephrata; Randy L. Groff, husband of Lesley of Ephrata; and William M. Groff, husband of Denette, of Lancaster; 15 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother: Richard Ditzler, husband of Fern of Lititz; and a sister: Linda, wife of Henry F. Troup, Jr. of Manheim.
Peggy was preceded in death by a sister, Carol Leonhard.
Peggy will be lovingly missed by her husband, sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A viewing was held at the Worship Center May 19. Memorial services were held May 20 at the Worship Center with the Rev. Sam Smucker officiating.
Interment was private.
Posted: May 22nd, 2013 under Obituaries.