Obituaries by LocationJACOB S. KING JR.
Services were held for Jacob Samuel "Sam" King Jr., 64, husband of Mary Ann (Yoder) King, of Telford, formerly of Boyertown, who died July 6. He had been a patient at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia. Born in Belleville, Mifflin County, he was employed as a machinery operator by Knoll International, East Greenville, for 28 years until his retirement in April. He was a 1953 graduate of Belleville High School and attended Eastern Mennonite College, Harrisonburg, Va., for a year. He was a member of Boyertown Mennonite Church, where he was a former Sunday School teacher, superintendent, trustee and youth leader. He was a former softball umpire for church leagues in the Boyertown area. In addition to his wife of 35 years, he is survived by a sister and one sister-in-law. He was predeceased by a brother; three sisters and three infant siblings. Memorial donations may be made to Boyertown Mennonite Church, 275 Mill St., Boyertown, PA 19512. The arrangements were handled by the Anders-Detwiler Funeral Home, Souderton.
RICHARD E. WOOD JR.
Services will be held Wednesday for Richard E. "Richie" Wood Jr., 11, of North Walnut Street, Boyertown, who died July 6 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, when he was struck by a vehicle. He was born in Pottstown, and was a son of Tammy M. (Miller) Wood, with whom he resided in Boyertown, and Richard E. Wood Sr., of Pottstown. He would have been a fifth-grade student at Colebrookdale Elementary School in the fall. Richie was a member of the Boyertown Area YMCA, where he participated in the Schools Out Program, and attended Camp Oasis at Boyertown Elementary School. In addition to his mother and father, Richie is survived by two sisters, Melanie Paige and Kristy Marie Wood, both at home in Boyertown; a step-sister, Jasmine Bryson, Pottstown; one stepbrother, Brandon L. Bryson, Pottstown; one half-brother, Jacob M. Wood, Pottstown; his maternal grandparents, John and Carol Miller, Boyertown; his paternal grandmother, Susan Carroll, Pottstown; his paternal grandfather, Robert L. Wood Sr., Phoenixville. Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Harvest Fellowship Church, 584 Colebrookdale Road, Boyertown. The Rev. Barry Parsons, pastor of the church, will officiate. A viewing will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Memorial donations may be made to the Boyertown YMCA, 301 Spring St., Boyertown, PA 19512. Burial will be in Limerick Garden of Memories, Limerick. The arrangements were handled by the Linwood W. Ott Funeral Home Inc., Boyertown.
ROBERT D. MOLL
A funeral Mass was held for Robert D. Moll, 61, husband of Marjorie A. (Kulp) Moll of Fourth Street, Bally, who died July 6 in Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, Allentown.
·Born in Bally, he attended elementary school at Most Blessed Sacrament School in Bally and was a graduate of Boyertown Area High School. He earned an Accounting Degree at Lasalle University and also an Associates Degree in Business Administration, Motor Traffic Management and Advanced Traffic Management from I.C.S. He was employed as the Borough Manager for the Borough of Bally for the past 11 years. Prior to that he was employed as a Department Supervisor and Warehouse supervisor at Boyertown Packaging for 23 years. He was an elected official in the borough of Bally prior to his hiring as the manager serving as borough mayor for eight years and borough councilman for 12 years. He was the chairman of the borough planning commission for six years, borough zoning officer for five years and chairman of the borough municipal authority for 12 years. During his involvement he was instrumental in expanding the sewage treatment plant without raising sewer rates, constructing new borough offices in the former Bally School on Chestnut Street, encouraging the Senior Center expansion, upgrading the borough playground and park, initiating the process of installing sidewalks throughout the borough, developing a borough logo, computerizing the borough offices and initiating a recycling program. He also helped in the organization of the Boyertown Area Communications Center Inc., serving as a director and treasurer for seven years. He also helped in the organization of the Berks-Mont Council of Governments serving as a representative for 12 years and president. He was a peacetime veteran of the U.S. Army. He and his wife celebrated 27 years of marriage September 16. A life long and active member of Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Bally he was active in the Boy Scouting program for nine years. Surviving in addition to his wife are two daughters, Elizabeth, wife of Michael Brogan and Margaret Fretz, both of Reading, three sons, Scott Moll and Michael Moll, both of Bally; Mark Moll of Boyertown; two sisters, Diane Engle of Allentown and Linda Moll of Bally, and eight grandchildren. Contributions may be made to the Lehigh Valley Hospital Hospice Unit, 17th & Chew Streets, Allentown, PA 18105; or American Cancer Society Upper Perkiomen Unit, P.O. Box 75, Pennsburg, PA 18073. The arrangements were handled by the Mann-Slonaker Funeral Home, East Greenville.
DONALD L. RENNINGER
Services were held for Donald L. Renninger, 74, husband of Gladys M. (Norris) Renninger of West Chester, who died June 19 in Chester County Hospital, West Chester. Born in Earl Township, he had lived in the West Chester area for the past 30 years. Renninger was a graduate of Boyertown High School. He was a World War II veteran as a Torpedoman 1st Class in the U.S. Navy submarine service. Renninger worked as a circulation manager for The Daily Local News for 25 years, retiring in 1988. He was a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Chester Springs and a member of Elks #853, West Chester. In addition to his wife he is survived by a daughter, Rhonda Gomez of Glenmoore, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by two sons, Paul Renninger and Donald L. Renninger Jr. The arrangements were handled by the Mauger/Givnish Funeral Home, Malvern.
PAUL D. FRYER
Services were held for Paul D. Fryer, 70, formerly of Gilbertsville and Boyertown, who died June 20 at Sanatoga Center after being there for seven days. Fryer was born in Gilbertsville and was a graduate of Boyertown High School. He worked as a long haul trucker for various companies and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Fryer was a member of the Ruffed Grouse Society, Friendship Hook and Ladder Fire Co., Boyertown, the Gilbertsville Fire Co. and the Gilbertsville and Pike Township Sportsmen’s Associations. Surviving are several cousins. He was predeceased by a brother. The arrangements were handled by the L. W. Ott Funeral Home, Boyertown.
MARY E. SMITH
Services were held for Mary E. Smith, 84, who died June 19 in her residence at 1 Apple Lane, Alsace Township. Her husband, Melvin L. Smith, died in 1974. Born in Stony Creek Mills, she had been employed 30 years as sexton of Zion (Spies) Lutheran Church, Alsace Township, and was also employed for 20 years as a cook/sexton at the Victor Emmanuel II Society, Reading, until her retirement. She was a member of Zion (Spies) Lutheran Church, where she was a past president of its Missionary Society. Smith was a past secretary of the Oley Valley Senior Citizens and the ladies auxiliaries of the Oley, Alsace Manor and Central of Laureldale fire companies. Surviving are a son, Melvin H., Reading; and five daughters: Mary (Smith) Stocker, Jane (Smith) Brown and Gloria (Smith) Triest, all of Alsace Township; Darlene (Smith) Reinert, Richmond Township; and Dorothy (Smith) Seidel, Ruscombmanor Township. Other survivors include a half brother; three half sisters; a step-sister, 26 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren. The arrangements were handled by the Daniel R. Christ Funeral Home, Oley.
PHILIP J. GIACOBBE
A funeral mass was celebrated for Philip J. Giacobbe, 54, Douglass (Berks) Township, who died June 19 at the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Caln Township. Born in Norristown, he was a son of John B. Giacobbe, Lower Providence, and the late Marie (Hoedl) Giacobbe. He was a 1964 graduate of the former Bishop Kenrick High School, Norristown and later received an associate’s degree from Monterey Bay Peninsula College, Monterey, Calif. He was a 100 percent disabled veteran, having served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968. In addition to his father, he is survived by four brothers, F. Scott Giacobbe, Wernersville, Berks County, Paul M. Giacobbe, Lower Providence, Brian L. Giacobbe, Chicago and Glenn B. Giacobbe, Houston. The arrangements were handled by the Holcombe Funeral Home Inc., Trappe.
R. WARREN FORREST
A family tribute was planned for R. Warren Forrest, 78, husband of Eleanor Long Oliver, of Barto, formerly of Scituate, R.I., who died May 26 at his home. He was employed by the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. for 27 years until his retirement. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Naval Reserve and the U.S. Army Air Force in the Pacific Theatre as a gunner until 1945, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals. He was a 1941 graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy and a 1951 graduate of Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree from the School of Education. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his former wife, Adelaide Margaret (Bourne) Forrest of Coventry, R.I.; four sons, Rodney Forrest of Londonderry, N.H.; Bruce Forrest of Kapoleo, Hawaii; and Keith and Dwight Forrest of Loveland, Colo.; one daughter, Leslie Forrest of Cranston, R.I.; and eight grandchildren. The tribute was planned at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Millis, Mass., where Forrest had been a deacon. The body had been removed to the Theo. C. Auman Crematory Inc., Reading. The arrangements were handled by the L. W. Ott Funeral Home Inc., Boyertown.
BIRDIE MAE ELLIXSON
Services were held for Birdie Mae (nee Miller) Ellixson, 82, of Bechtelsville, who died June 21 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown. She was the wife of the late Cornelius LaRoy Ellixson. Born in Chattanooga, Tenn., where she lived for 6 years when she moved to Chester, PA. She lived in Chester for 45 years when she moved to Virgilina, Va, living there for 10 years. She was a homemaker. Ellixson was a charter member of 49 years at Chichester Baptist Church, where she served as treasurer. She worked in the nursery department, sang in the choir and helped with vacation Bible school and belonged to the Senior Saints of Chichester Baptist Church. Surviving are four sons: John Spencer Ellixson, Wilmington, De, Neal LaRoy Ellixson, East Goshen, PA; James Kidd Ellixson of Lower Gwynedd, PA and Donald Lee Ellixson, Pennsburg; one daughter, Valerie Ellixson Lee of Montgomery, Alabama. Also a sister, a granddaughter and her husband with whom she made her home; also 20 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. The Minshall-Shropshire Funeral Home, Media, handled the arrangements.
MARGARET L. SEIDEL
Services were held for Margaret L. Seidel, 80, formerly of N. 12th St., Reading, who died June 23 in ManorCare Health Services Inc., West Reading, where she had resided since Dec. Her husband, John R. Seidel, died in 1972. Born in Boyertown, she is survived by a daughter: Stephanie E. Seidel, Reading; and two sons: J. Richard, New York, and Stephen E., Colorado Springs, Colo. She is also survived by a foster child, Judith (Spears) Masleh, Reading. There are also two grandchildren, a foster grandchild and a great-grandchild. The arrangements were handled by the Sanders Funeral Home, Reading.
