OBITUARIES - 13 May 2004

MARIAN E. BARRICK
Marian E. Barrick, 76, of Mechanicsburg died Tuesday, May 4, 2004 at Manor Care, Carlisle.

She was born Dec. 16, 1927 in Perry County to the late Charles and Elizabeth (Adams) McDonald.

She was a lifetime member of Young’s United Methodist Church, Shermans Dale, where she served as organist, pianist and choir director for more than 50 years; and a member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Central Pennsylvania, Lupus Association and a founding member of the local Osteome Association and a regional leader for Tri-Chem Liquid Embroidery.

She was the widow of William E. Barrick Sr.

Surviving are a son, William E. Jr. of Mechanicsburg; a sister, Grace Shearer of Loysville; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Services were held May 7 in her church with the Rev. N. Jefferson Brewster officiating. Burial was in Rolling Green Memorial Park, Camp Hill.

Myers Funeral Home, Mechanicsburg, handled arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, c/o Karen Scott, Manor Care, 940 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle 17013.

REGINA E. CROTSLEY
Regina E. Crotsley, 67, of Blain RR 1 died Monday, May 3, 2004 in Beverly Healthcare in Gettysburg.

She was born Sept. 10, 1936 at Blain RR 1 to the late Lloyd R. and Mary E. (Henry) Bradfield.

She recently was a homemaker and previously worked for Hestico and Savoy, both in Lancaster, Gerbric & Pane, Mt. Joy, and Sylvania Shoe, McSherrystown; a graduate of Donegal High School; and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Blain Fire Company.

She was the widow of Preston Crotsley.

Surviving are two sons, Lloyd P. of Elizabethtown and Jeff E. of New Oxford; a daughter, Maryann Crotsley of Gettysburg; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

A graveside service was held May 7 in Blain Cemetery with the Rev. John S. Kipp officiating.

Nickel Funeral Home, Loysville, handled arrangements.

EMORY E. MILLER
Emory E. Miller, 92, formerly of Marysville, died Saturday, May 8, 2004 in Kinkora Pythian Home, Duncannon.

He was the retired owner of Miller’s Mower Service, Marysville, and a former rural mail carrier in the Marysville area; a life member and former chief of Marysville Fire Company, and a member of Snyder’s United Methodist Church, New Bloomfield, Marysville Sportsmen’s Club, Marysville Lions Club and Marysville Hunting Club; and an avid hunter and fisherman.

Surviving are his wife, Ruth T. Weldon Miller; a daughter, Bonnie L. Speas of Columbia, S.C.; a brother, Woodrow of Eldorado, Ark.; two sisters, Charlotte Bornman of Marysville and Mabel Sheaffer of Duncannon; three granddaughters, Lesley Speas Blackwelder of Fort Mill, S.C., and Pamela Lyn Speas and Suzane Marie Speas, both of Columbia, S.C.; and a great-grandson, Zachary Andrew Blackwelder.

Services were held May 11 in Shalonis Funeral Home, Marysville. Burial was in Snyder’s Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Marysville Fire Company, 326 Cameron St., Marysville 17053.

BIXLER SERVICE
An informal memorial service will be held for Elsie F. Bixler, wife of Alvin P. Bixler, at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 29, at the Bixler plot in the Duncannon Cemetery. The plot is near the top of the cemetery.

Mrs. Bixler died Sept. 13, 2003 at the age of 95. While she left the area in 1956, she always had spoken highly of her home and friends here. All who may remember her or her family are invited.

The service will be conducted by Ralph Halter of New Buffalo.

CHARLES E. DOWNS SR.
Charles Earl Downs Sr., 85, of Watts Twp., Duncannon RR 4, died Friday, May 7, 2004 at home.

He was born Nov. 1, 1918 in Jamison City to the late Michael and Gertrude (Puderbaugh) Downs.

He worked at Magee Carpet Mill, Bloomsburg, before moving to Enola, where he worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad from 1943 to 1981. He reopened the Ranch House Restaurant, Duncannon, and ran it from 1962 to 1972, building it into a thriving business that continues today.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the Army 99th Division; a member of Hill United Methodist Church, Duncannon RR 4, American Legion Post 340, past commander of VFW Post 255, and a lifetime member of Bloomsburg Fire Company and East End Sportsmen Club.

Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Erma E. Deiter Downs; a daughter, Louise Downs Stine of New Buffalo; a son, Charles E. Jr. of Jonestown; a brother, Oscar Franklin Downs of Wilkes Barre; a granddaughter, Amanda Stine; and two stepgreat-grandsons, Randy and Tony Stine.

He was preceded in death by three sisters and four brothers.

Services were held May 12 in his church with the Rev. Bernard Wynn officiating. Burial, with military honors by VFW Post 255 and American Legion Post 340, was in Hill Cemetery.

Ronald C.L. Smith Funeral Home, Duncannon, handled arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to his church, c/o Charnette Wilt, RR 4, Box 4281, Duncannon 17020.

DEAN A. RODGERS
Dean Anthony Rodgers, 40, of New Cumberland died Monday, May 3, 2004 at Harrisburg Hospital.

He was born Feb. 24, 1964 in Harrisburg to Thomas W. Rodgers of Carroll Twp., Duncannon, and Sue Bradle of Camp Hill.

He was a glazer for Harrisburg Glass, Shiremanstown, for more than 20 years; vice commander of Sons of American Legion, Squadron 143, New Cumberland; a member of American Legion Post 143, New Cumberland, and International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Local 252; and an avid fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Flyers.

In addition to his parents, surviving are three brothers, Wayne A. of Etters, Jesse C. of New Cumberland and Daniel C. of Wormleysburg; two sisters, Kim R. Fishel of Newport and Mary M. Damon of Duncannon; and his stepmother, Pamela Ann Rodgers.

Services were held May 7 in Parthemore Funeral Home and Cremation Services, New Cumberland, with the Rev. John E. Halderman officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Scotland School for Veterans Children, Scotland School Foundation, 3583 Scotland Road, Scotland 17254-0900.

PAUL E. BRITCHER SR.
Paul E. Britcher Sr., 80, of Middle Ridge Road, Newport, died Monday, May 3, 2004 at home.

He was born Aug. 8, 1923 in Perry County to the late Frank and Grace (Tressler) Britcher.

He worked as a garment cutter for most of his life; was a 1941 graduate of Newport High School; an Army veteran of World War II; and a member of the Church of Christ of Newport.

He was very active in Community Grange 1767 and Pomona Grange 69 and held various offices in the Pennsylvania and State Granges.

In 1970 he was one of the original organizers of the current Perry County Fair. He served as its president from the beginning of the first fair until his death, and along with his wife, devoted countless hours to the success of the fair. In 1996 he was chosen Pennsylvania Fair Person of the Year, and served on various committees of the Pennsylvania State Fair Board.

He enjoyed attending pony races and yard sales and collecting pitchers.

Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Ruth Hower Britcher; three sons, Paul E. Jr., Lee and Larry, two daughters, Martha Ebersole and Isabelle Myers, all of Perry County; a sister, Ivy Saylor of Newport; and five grandchildren.

Services were held April 7 in Myers Funeral Home, Newport, with Brother Edward Dyche officiating. Burial was in Newport Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Perry County Fair, P.O. Box 251, Newport 17074.

I. ALICE METZ
I. Alice Metz, 90, of Loysville RR 1 died Saturday, May 8, 2004 in Sarah Todd Memorial Home, Carlisle.

She was born May 28, 1913 at Blain RR 1 to the late Harry and Bessie (Kessler) Finkenbinder.

She assisted her husband in farming; was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Blain; and enjoyed working with flowers.

She was the widow of Dale P. Metz.

Surviving are two daughters, I. Jane Smith and Vonny R. Latchford, and two sons, Richard D. and W. Harold, all of Loysville; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Lloyd Finkenbinder, and a great-granddaugher, Jill Powell.

Services were held May 12 in Nickel Funeral Home, Loysville, with the Rev. Richard D. Schoenly officiating. Burial was in Blain Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to her church, P.O. Box 127, Blain 17006.

KATHRYN C. SMITH
Kathryn C. Smith, 91, of Carlisle died Wednesday, May 5, 2004 at home.

She was born June 9, 1912 in Kennedy’s Valley near Landisburg to the late Arthur L. and Ellen (Rhule) Crull.

She was a homemaker.

She was the widow of M/Sgt. George S. Smith Sr., who died Oct. 13, 1978.

Surviving are a son, George S. Jr. of Carlisle; three brothers, Scott Crull and Melvin Crull, both of Landisburg, and Lewis Crull of Mechanicsburg; a grandson, Jeffrey Smith; and two great-granddaughters, Kylie and Katrina.

Services were held May 8 in Nickel Funeral Home, Loysville, with the Rev. Lewis Splain officiating. Burial was in Landisburg Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Friends in Christ Church, 154 Lefever Road, Newville 17241, Hospice of Central Pennsylvania, P.O. Box 266, Enola 17025, or Home for Boys & Girls, Freedom Village USA, Lakemont, N.Y. 14857-0024.

ROGER D. SALYARDS
Roger D. Salyards, 67, of Miller Twp., Duncannon, died Thursday, May 6, 2004 in Osteopathic Hospital, Harrisburg.

He was born April 6, 1937 in Lewistown to the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Metzger) Salyards.

He was the owner of Mahonoy Valley Nursery, Inc., Duncannon, and formerly worked for the FBI, Pennsylvania State Police and Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.; a 1955 graduate of Newport High School; a member of Logania Church of God, Duncannon, Newport Lodge 381, F&AM and Zembo Shrine; and enjoyed gospel and country music, had a band for 18 years and taught guitar lessons.

Surviving are his wife of 47 years, Sally Morris Salyards; a son, Roger D. II of Herford; three daughters, Tammy L. Rumbaugh of Millerstown, Sheri M. Duchak of Troy, Ohio, and Jennifer M. Salyards of Atlanta, Ga.; a sister, Violet Bearly of McVeytown; and five grandchildren.

Services were held May 11 in his church with the Rev. George Yerger officiating. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery, Duncannon.

David M. Myers Funeral Home, Newport, handled arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to his church, c/o Alice Potter, 104 Loshs Run Road, Duncannon 17020.

RESTA S. GREGOIRE II
Resta S. Gregoire II, 41, of New Bloomfield died Thursday, May 6, 2004 at Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill.

He was born June 12, 1962 in Washington, D.C. to the late Resta S. and Sue-Ann (Pressue) Gregoire.

He was a graduate of Big Spring High School; attended Harrisburg Area Community College; and was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Surviving are his wife, Larisa M. Davletbaeva Gregoire; a son, Evgemy A. of New Bloomfield; two sisters, Joy Stalnaker of West Virginia and Tamera Meyer of Mechanicsburg; and two brothers, Jene of Coal Port and David of Newville.

Services were held May 11 in Myers Funeral Home, Mechanicsburg, with the Rev. Kevin T. Shivley officiating. Burial was in Westminster Cemetery, Carlisle.

THOMAS A. KINARD
Thomas Alfred Kinard, 97, of Marysville died Monday, May 3, 2004 in Community General Osteopathic Hospital, Harrisburg.

He was a retired Commonwealth of Pennsylvania employee, and a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Marysville, where he was the oldest living male member of the congregation.

Surviving are his wife, Judith, and a nephew, Robert, of Wellesley, Mass.; and great-nieces, Nina Shope and Nikki Shepherd.

Services were held May 12 in Musselman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Lemoyne. Burial was in Rolling Green Cemetery, Camp Hill.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association, Capital Region Division, 1517 Cedar Cliff Drive, Camp Hill 17011.

LOUIS B. MICHAELS
Louis Boyer “Lou” Michaels, 78, of Hilltop Road, Lemoyne, died Wednesday, May 5, 2004 in Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill.

He was born Feb. 13, 1926 in Port Trevorton to the late Kenneth Daubert and Anna Kathryn (Boyer) Michaels.

He was employed with the Electrolux Company for 55 years, where he was a branch and division manager in the Lewistown area. In 1968 he was transferred by the company to Harrisburg where he retired from full-time employment, but remained with the company on a part-time basis for several years.

At age 18, while a senior at Selinsgrove High School in 1944, he was drafted into the Army. He served with the 163rd Infantry, 41st Division, as a medic in the Philippines, New Guinea and Japan during World War II. He was among the first group of American soldiers sent to Hiroshima after the atomic bomb attack. He left the service on May 14, 1946 with the rank of corporal. He returned to high school, graduating in 1946.

He was a member of Chapel Hill United Church of Christ, Camp Hill, and VFW Post 7415, New Cumberland, and a life member of AmVets, Harrisburg.

He enjoyed traveling with his wife throughout the United States, Africa and the Caribbean.

Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Helen M. Plotts Michaels; a sister, Beatrice Evans of Hamilton, Mont.; two sisters-in-law, Grace Menges of Turbotville and Betty Kleckner of Warriors Mark; and a brother-in-law, Edward Plotts of Sunbury.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth “Casey” Boyer, and a sister-in-law, Fern F. Michaels.

A graveside service, with military honors by Liverpool American Legion Post 364, was held May 10 in St. John (Barners) Cemetery, Liverpool RR 1, with the Revs. Michael Beynon and Norma Llewellyn officiating.

A service of remembrance will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 19, in his church, 701 Poplar Road, Camp Hill, with pastor Galen Russell III officiating.

Garman Funeral Home, Liverpool, is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lemoyne Dialysis Service, 27 Miller St., Lemoyne 17043, or to any charity.

MARTHA J. WATTS
Martha J. Watts, 71, of Duncannon died Friday, May 7, 2004 at Harrisburg Hospital.

She was born Jan. 11, 1933 in Philadelphia.

She was retired from the Public Utility Commission, Harrisburg; a 1951 graduate of Duncannon High School and current president of the Duncannon High School Alumni Association; and a member of Duncannon Assembly of God Church.

Surviving are her husband, Marlin E. “Gene” Watts; two sons, Steven A. of Duncannon and David W. of Marysville; three daughters, Susan J. Miller, Judy A. Watts and Diane J. Etter, all of Duncannon; three brothers, George Wolf of Berlin, N.J., Charles Wolf of Blackwood, N.J., and John Wolf of Magnolia, N.J.; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Services were held May 11 in her church with the Revs. Dale Rosenberger and Tim Halbfoerster officiating. Burial was in Union Cemetery, Duncannon.

Ronald C.L. Smith Funeral Home, Duncannon, handled arrangements.

LEOLA F. SHEIBLEY
Leola F. Sheibley, 88, formerly of Shermans Dale, Marysville and Camp Hill, died Tuesday, May 4, 2004 in Fry Village, Middletown.

She was born Aug. 21, 1915 in Shermans Dale to the late David H. and Daisy Myrtel Ann (Smee) Sheibley.

She was a retired employee of Susquenita and Camp Hill high schools; a member of Camp Hill United Methodist Church; and enjoyed making crafts, crocheting blankets, afghans and baby blankets, cooking and gardening, especially raising African violets.

She was the widow of Melvin W. Sheibley, who died in 1995. The couple had been married 56 years.

Surviving are a son, Robert L. of Camp Hill; three daughters, Fay N. Brown of Etters, Shirley M. Rife of Dauphin and Carol A. Grunden of Palmyra; a brother, Melvin Sheibley of Marysville; 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by five brothers, Lester, Paul, Charles, Marlin and Harold Sheibley; and a sister, Violet Ebersole.

Services were held May 8 in Boyer Funeral Home, New Bloomfield, with the Rev. Charles Keller officiating. Burial was in Bloomfield Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Frey Village, 1020 N. Union St., Middletown 17057, or Young’s United Methodist Church, c/o Rev. N. Jefferson Brewster, 40 Windy Hill Road, Shermans Dale 17090.