72, Navy vet, technical writer

Charles W. Meier, Jr., 72, of Lititz passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born in Camden, N.J. he was the son of the late Charles W. Meier, Sr. and Isabel (Falcon) Meier. He was married to Faith (Johnson) Meier with whom he celebrated over 50 years of marriage.

Charles attended Eastern University and received a bachelor’s degree in pre-theology. During graduate school, Charles studied Hebrew and went onto receive his first master’s degree from Faith Theological Seminary in Elkins Park and later received a master’s in education from Temple University. He was a technical writer for most of his career and worked for various contracting companies in the government. He was an avid reader, enjoyed water color painting and spending time with his grandchildren and family.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by his children: Charles J. Meier, husband of Debra C. of Marietta; Heidi C. Good, wife of G. Todd of Lebanon; and Martin D. Meier, husband of Cynthia of Lititz. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Madeline, Isabella, Josephina, Grace and Pearl.

87, Brethren Village resident,

decorated WWII vet

John A. "Red" Wilson, 87, formerly of Manheim and Elizabethtown, passed away Thursday, May 30, 2013 at Brethren Village, Lancaster.

Born in Tower City, he was the son of the late William J. and Margaret Nash Wilson. He was the husband of the late Ada Shenenberger Wilson who died in 2001.

Retired in 1982, Red worked as a machine operator at Armstrong World Industries, Marietta Plant. In his earlier years, he worked as a machinist at the former Raymark Industries, Manheim and Olmsted Air Force Base, Middletown. He was also owner and operator of the former Wilson’s Atlantic Gas Station, Elizabethtown. Red was a United States Army veteran serving during WW II and he received a Purple Heart Medal and three bronze stars. He was a member of Ruhl’s United Methodist Church, Manheim since 1954.

He was the last of his immediate family.

Funeral services were at Brethren Village Chapel June 4. Interment was in Ruhl’s United Methodist Cemetery, Rapho Township.

Please omit flowers. Those desiring may send contributions in John’s memory to Brethren Village, Good Samaritan Fund, 3001 Lititz Pike, P.O. Box 5093, Lancaster, PA 17606.

75, Lititz resident, fabric technician

Barbara J. Timony, 75, of Lititz, formerly of New York, passed away Friday, May 31, 2013 at Hospice and Community Care, Essa Flory Inpatient Center.

Born in Knoxville, Tenn., Barbara is the daughter of the late Ellsworth James and Ruth Callie Standen. She is survived by her daughter: Ruthann (John) Kreiner, Lititz; two sons: Scott Wesselhoft, North Babylon, N.Y. and David (Wendy) Wesselhoft, Lancaster; and six grandchildren.

Barbara worked at Skip’s Cutting, New Holland as a fabric technician. She enjoyed her grandchildren, crocheting, drawing, and reading.

Barbara’s life celebration graveside service will be held June 7 at 4 p.m. at Hopeland United Methodist Cemetery at the corner of Clay and Church roads in Lititz (Hopeland) with Rev. Doug Winne officiating.

Memorials may be sent to the Wounded Warriors Project, 4899 Belfort Rd., Suite 300, Jacksonville, PA 32256.

Warwick graduate, EMT

Jesse D. Roberts, Jr. of Lititz, passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2013.

Born in Pottstown, he is the son of Emma Sheeler Roberts, Lititz, and the late Jesse D. Roberts, Sr. He is the husband of Jaime Zerr Roberts.

A graduate of Warwick High School, Jesse worked as an Ephrata EMT.

In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by his children: Michael Roberts of Arizona; Carla Roberts of Oklahoma; Olivia Roberts of Landisville; stepchildren: Elizabeth Clay of Reading; Grace Clay of Reading; two grandchildren; a sister: Cathy, wife of Philip Davidson of Lititz; brothers: Ronald, husband of Chris of Lebanon; Donald, husband of Marilyn, Lititz; and Dale, husband of Charity of Delaware.

Services will be at the convenience of the family. To send online condolences, please visit richardheiseyfuneralhome.com.

94, Luther Acres resident,

enjoyed fishing

Jane E. Neill, 94, of Luther Acres, Lititz, formerly of Lancaster where she lived for 88 years, passed away Saturday, June 1, 2013. She was the wife of the late Lloyd S. Neill, and the daughter of the late Ray C. and Estella Ganse Ingram. Jane was a lifetime member of Grace Lutheran Church, Lancaster, where she was still active in the Deborah-Elizabeth Circle. She enjoyed fishing and eating crabs at Pat and Smitty’s every summer. Jane loved spending time with her family. She was their rock.

Jane is survived by a daughter: Sandy Baker of Columbia; a son: Dave, husband of Janice Neill of Lititz; five grandchildren: Lynne, Cathi, Craig, Jessica and David; five great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister: Mildred Hollinger of Columbia; and a sister-in-law: Thelma Ingram of Lancaster; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother: Herb Ingram; a sister: Helen Miller; a daughter: Marlene Kepner Lefever; and her great-grandson: Andrew Steffy.

A funeral service for Jane was held June 4 at Grace Lutheran Church, Lancaster with Pastor Stephen P. Verkouw officiating. Interment was in Conestoga Memorial Park,

83, Hamilton Watch Co.,

Lancashire Hall organist

Joyce (Rhen) Grosh, 83, a resident of Moravian Manor and formerly of Ephrata, passed away Friday, May 31, 2013 from pulmonary fibrosis as a result of interstitial pneumonia which she contracted on vacation in 2001.

Born in Lititz to the late Richard H. and Minerva "Laura" (Smith) Rhen, Joyce is survived by her loving husband, William Kilgore Grosh, M.D., to whom she was married almost 61 years.

A 1947 graduate of J.P. McCaskey High School, Joyce attended Lancaster Business College and was employed in the personnel department of the Hamilton Watch Company. After Bill and Joyce were married at the First Reformed Church of Lancaster and at the beginning of Bill’s third year in medical school, Joyce and Bill lived in Philadelphia where Joyce was responsible for interviewing and hiring women for the Home Insurance Company.

Joyce’s lifelong love of music began in third grade when she studied piano and eventually the clarinet in high school and later played the electronic organ professionally. In her later years, Joyce shared her talent playing the organ at Lancashire Hall for 12 years. Having been taught the classics, Joyce learned to play popular music from Bob Stetler and Charles Buckwalter (a popular Lancaster band leader). Joyce and Bill also enjoyed their travels, visiting 46 different states and 41 countries.

93, Luther Acres resident,

Blue Cross Blue Shield supervisor

Mary J. Gaffney, 93, of Lititz, passed away May 28, 2013.

Born in New York, N.Y., and former Bloomfield, N.J. resident, Mary was the daughter of the late Francis and Ann Fitzgerald Barry. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry "Hank" Gaffney in 2009. She is survived by cousins-in-law and their families.

A resident at Luther Acres, Mary was a member of St. James Catholic Church, Lititz, and former member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Essex County, N.J. Until her retirement in 1978, she worked for 40 years as a supervisor for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Newark, N.J.

Following retirement, Mary and her husband enjoyed living in Colorado for many happy years. She enjoyed games, reading and playing bingo.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at the Chapel of the Good Samaritan, Luther Acres, 250 St. Luke Drive, Lititz, on June 7 at 10:30 a.m., preceded by a viewing at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.

Arrangements entrusted to Richard H. Heisey Funeral Home, 216 S. Broad St., Lititz, PA 17543.

90, WWII vet, Temple graduate

Dolores Marie Dragann, 90, of Lancaster, passed away peacefully May 26, 2013, at Ephrata Community Hospital after a brief illness.

Born in Lambertville, N.J., and raised in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late James F. and Edith Ann Ledger Everett. She graduated from Temple University with a Degree in Education. After graduation, she joined the Navy, serving in WWII. While stationed in Pensacola, Fla., she married Nicholas J. Dragann, Sr., who passed away two months ago after 68 years of marriage. She was a homemaker who was dedicated to her family. When her husband retired in 1985, they moved to Lancaster to be with her sons and their families.

Dolores is survived by her two sons, both of Lancaster: Nicholas J. Dragann, Jr., D.O., husband of Kathleen; and Raymond D. Dragann, D.O., husband of Patricia; her grandchildren: Christine, Erin, Shawn and Brendan; her great-grandchildren: Tyler and Greyson; and her brother: William Everett of Trenton, N.J.

Friends were received June 1 at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, Lititz, followed by the funeral service. Interment was in St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery.

To send the family online condolences, please visit snyderfuneralhome.com.

86, Moravian Manor,

Armstrong retiree

William David DeSantis, 86, of Lancaster went to be with the Lord Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at Moravian Manor, Lititz.

Born in Altoona, William was the son of the late Thomas and Joaneena Mastriogiorgio DeSantis. Willie was the loving husband of Ann (Hiestand) DeSantis, and they would have observed their 19th wedding anniversary in August. He was preceded in death by sisters: Helene Wohleruck and Mary Sitman.

Willie retired from Armstrong World Industries in 1993 after 35 years of service. After his retirement, he worked for Interface Solutions for many years. He attended Juanita College and Millersville University. Willie was a member of Calvary Church in Lancaster. He was an avid NASCAR fan, and will be remembered for his love of racing at Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway (LANCO Micro Midgets) for over 40 years. He had exceptional artistic abilities and enjoyed playing big band music on the trumpet.

91, Warner-Lambert retiree,

WWII vet

Daniel J. Charles, 91, Lititz, passed away at home May 31, 2013.

Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Daniel M. and Mary Shirk Charles. Married to Jeanette Bucher Charles, they would have celebrated 67 years of marriage June 8.

A 1940 graduate of JP McCaskey High School, Daniel served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He worked as an electrician for Warner-Lambert in Lititz for 27 years before retiring in 1984. He was a member of United Church of God I.A. in York. He enjoyed playing pinochle and casino, reading, flower gardening, trains and trolleys and repairing radios.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: Theresa, wife of James Ross, Lititz; Cynthia, wife of Jim Hedges, Nevada, Mo.; Thomas Charles, husband of Kathryn, Selinsgrove; Christina, wife of Alan Weaner, Gettysburg; Philip Charles, husband of Tammy, Lititz; 17 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by two half-sisters: Evelyn Seitz Dull and Arlene Seitz Calhoun.

A funeral service will be held at the Richard H. Heisey Funeral Home, 216 S. Broad St., Lititz June 5 at 2 p.m. with a viewing an hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Hammer Creek Mennonite Cemetery, Lititz.