Obituaries by LocationDOROTHY L. BLANKENBILLER
Services were held for Dorothy L. Blankenbiller, 82, of Blankenbiller Road, Alsace Township, who died June 9 in the Reading Hospital, where she had been a patient. She was the wife of Edward Blankenbiller. Born in Stony Creek Mills, she had been employed for many years as a packer by Prizer Stove Works and then as a trimmer by Temple Apparel, retiring in 1964. She is also survived by two daughters, Bonnie (Blankenbiller) Early, Temple, and Joanne (Blankenbiller) Shirey, Reading; and a stepson, Lynell Blankenbiller, Stony Creek Mills. Other survivors include a brother; two sisters; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The arrangements were handled by the Walter R. Christ Funeral Home Inc., Laureldale.
WILLIAM J. CAMPBELL
Services will be Thursday for William J. Campbell, 74, of East Third Street, Boyertown, who died June 12 in Spruce Manor, West Reading, where he had resided for one month.
He was the husband of Irene (Schelly) Campbell.
Born in Green Lane, he was a son of the late John T. and E. Dorothy (Bailey) Campbell.
He was a graduate of East Greenville High School and was a Navy veteran of World War II.
During his service in the Naval Air Corp., he was awarded the Pacific Theatre Ribbon, The Good Conduct Ribbon, the Victory Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the Streamlined Bate Certificate and 12 gold battle stars.
Campbell was employed by the County of Berks as a former county controller for 20 years, retiring in 1996. He also worked for 30 years in a managerial capacity for the former Wagner Electric, now Federal Mogul, Boyertown.
He was former Treasurer of the Pa. State Association of county controllers and a member of the states Minor Judiciary Education Board for over 10 years. As County Controller, he was appointed to a special committee to formulate standards for conducting mandatory audits of District Justice Offices in the Commonwealth.
He also served eight years on the Boyertown Borough Council and was Mayor of Boyertown for five years.
Campbell is a past president of the Pennsylvania State Association of County Controllers; a member of the Executive board of the Democratic Standing Committee of Berks County, and served as a Boyertown Democratic Committeeman. He was a past president of the Berk’s Co. Mayor’s Association and the Berk’s Co. Association of Boroughs.
Campbell was honored as "Man of the Year" in Boyertown in 1971.
Campbell was involved in many fire training and related activities and was a past president of the Fireman’s Legislative Federation of Pa., Former Chairman of Law and Legislative Committee of the Fireman’s Association of Pa., former Berks Co. liaison to the Fire Commissioner of Pa., former Chairman of the Reading-Berks Fire Training Center, Southeast Co-chairman of the Regional Facility Identification Committee, State Fire Training (14 counties).
Other fire association activities include, Past President and officer of Keystone Fire Co., Boyertown, for over 30 years. Past President of the Oley Valley Fire Zones 5 and 6 for 19 years. Past President of the Fire Chief’s Association of Berks Co., serving for 30 consecutive years. Former Vice-President of the Berks Co. Fireman’s Assn.
Campbell was former Chief of the Keystone Fire Co., Boyertown; Fire Marshall for the Borough of Boyertown for over 10 years. He was also a director of the Keystone State Fire Chief’s Assn., also serving as parliamentarian.
In 1989, Campbell was appointed to the Fire Safety Advisory Committee to the PA Emergency Management Agency for the purpose of advising the PA State Fire Commissioner on matters pertaining to the operation of the PA State Fire Academy; a Life Member of the Friendship Hook & Ladder Co., Boyertown, Keystone Fire Co. #1, Boyertown; the Gilbertsville Fire Co., the Sassamansville Fire Co., the Gablesville Athletic Assn., Pike Twp. Sportsman’s Assn., and the Keystone State Fire Chief’s Assn.
He was also a member of Boyertown Lodge #741, F. & A.M., Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Reading Consistory, Rajah Temple and Rajah Shrine Club. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3487, Boyertown, Patriotic Order, Sons of America, Washington Camp #104, Boyertown, and was a past president of Boyertown Lion’s Club.
Surviving in addition to his wife are a son, William J. Campbell, Jr., Boyertown; a daughter, Darlene M., wife of Dennis M. Prutzman, Denver, PA.
Also seven sisters: Jean Gaeto, Norristown; Euphemia Romanik, Pottstown; Lilias Frick, Souderton; Patsy Maloney, Cincinnati, OH; Joan Otey, Mansfield, OH; Ethel Thomas, Mansfield, OH; and Veronica Knepp, Gilbertsville.
Also two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A viewing will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Linwood W. Ott Funeral Home, 111 North Reading Avenue, Boyertown.
There will be a Masonic Service at 8:30 p.m. by Boyertown Lodge #741, F. & A.M.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with the Reverend John G. Pearson officiating.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Boyertown Lions Community Ambulance Association, 2 East Second street, Boyertown, PA 19512.
Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery .
LOUISE K. BENFIELD
Services were held for Louise K. Benfield, 60, of N. Avenidadel-Cszador Avenue, Tucson, Ariz., formerly of Boyertown, who died Oct. 23 at the University Medical Center, Tucson. Born in Reading, she was a 1958 graduate of Boyertown High School and earned a bachelor of science degree from Bucknell University in 1962. She earned a master’s degree in computer science from Fairleigh Dickinson University in the 1980s. She was employed by Lederic Laboratories in Pearl River, N.Y., as a computer senior systems analyst for 33 years, retiring in 1995. She was a member of Church of the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, Boyertown. She was involved in numerous civic and volunteer activities in Tucson. Surviving is a sister and her domestic partner of 15 years, Mel Copeland, with whom she resided. Memorial contributions may be made to UNICEF, 100 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19110. The arrangements were handled by the L. W. Ott Funeral Home, Boyertown.
DANIEL L. BRIGHT
A memorial service was held for Daniel L. Bright, 53, of S. Franklin St., Boyertown, formerly of Reading, who died Oct. 24. He had been a patient in Albert Einstein Hospital, Philadelphia. Born in Indianapolis, he was a son of George L. Bright, Greenwood, Ind., and of the late Helen R. (Egan) Bright. He was employed for 33 years by AT&T Reading Works and Lucent Technology, Muhlenberg Township, retiring in 1999, as a senior operator. Surviving are three daughters: Julie A. (Bright) Simms and Penny M. (Bright) McReynolds, both of Indianapolis; and Holley A. (Hull) Bright, Boyertown. Other survivors include two granddaughters and one grandson. The Cramp Funeral Home Inc., Reading, handled the arrangements.
RICHARD H. BOLTON
A private memorial service was held for Richard "Dick" Howard Bolton, 68, husband of Donna M. (Shade) Bolton, of Gilbertsville, who died Oct. 25 at the Frederick Mennonite Home. Born in Spring Mount, he was retired after 39 years with Handy & Harman Tube Co. of Norristown. He was a U.S. Army and National Guard veteran. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Howard C. "Butch" Bolton, of Gilbertsville and David R. Bolton, of Upper Frederick; two daughters, Debra L. Bolton, of Gilbertsville and Denise M., wife of Scott Meixell, of Schwenksville; one sister and four grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to St. James UCC Memorial Fund, 321 S. Limerick Road, Limerick, PA 19468. The arrangements were handled by The Cremation Society of Pennsylvania.
JACK H. WINGARD
Interment will be private for Jack H. Wingard, 67, husband of Florence (Jennings) James-Wingard, of Holly Drive, New Hanover, who died Oct. 26 at his home. Born in Wayne Township, Armstrong County, he retired in 1994 after 37 years of service as Director of Aircraft Heavy Maintenance for U.S. Airlines in Pittsburgh, Greensboro, S.C., and Tampa, Fla. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War. Wingard was a member of the New Hanover Lutheran Church, Gilbertsville, the Reading Consistory Scottish Rite Valley of Reading and the North Olmsted, Ohio. In addition to his wife, he is survived by five sons, one daughter, one brother and 11 grandchildren. A viewing will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Catagnus Funeral Home Inc., 1020 E. Philadelphia Ave., Gilbertsville; or from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday at New Hanover Lutheran Church, 2941 Lutheran Road, Gilbertsville. Memorial donations may be made to Cystic Fibrosis, 2720 Enterprise Parkway, Suite 107, Richmond, VA 23294; or to Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, 550 N. Broadway, Suite 801, Baltimore, MD 21205. The arrangements were handled by the Catagnus Funeral Home Inc., Gilbertsville.
FLOSSIE M. HERB
Private services were held for Flossie M. (Rauch) Herb, 73, of 173 W. Spring St., Bechtelsville and widow of LeRoy H. Herb, who died Oct. 29 at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, where she had been a patient. Born in Allentown, she was a ribbon blocker at Bally Ribbon Mill for many years. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Bechtelsville and Woodman of the World. Surviving are two daughters, Sue, wife of Allan Groller of Douglassville; Janet, wife of Clyde Mock of Boyertown; one son, Ray T. Herb of Stowe. Also one sister, two brothers, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by one daughter, Mary E. Herb. Contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 132 S. Main St., Bechtelsville, PA 19505. The arrangements were handled by the C. L. Losh Funeral Home, Boyertown.
MARGARET B. STELTZ
Services were held for Margaret B. (Boyer) Steltz, 78, wife of Leroy W. Steltz of Terrance Lane, Pottstown, who died Oct. 27 at her residence. Born in Ruscombmanor Township, she was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Douglassville. Surviving in addition to her husband is a son, Ronald G. Steltz of Douglassville; a daughter, Sherry D. Rhoads of Birdsboro; and two grandchildren. Contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 548 Old Swede Rd., Douglassville, PA 19518. The arrangements were handled by the Schumacher & Benner Funeral Home, Pottstown.
JOHN W. HOUCK
Services will be held for John W. Houck, 74, husband of Doris (Kranch) Houck, of Sweinhart Road, Boyertown, who died Oct. 29 at Montgomery County Geriatric Center. Born in Pottstown, Houck was a member of Trinity E.C. Church, Boyertown and was a U.S. Army veteran. Surviving in addition to his wife is a son, the Rev. J. Daniel Houck of Lancaster; two daughters, Carol Morgan at home; Mary L. Korkie, Gilbertsville. Also two brothers, one sister; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Houck Funeral Home, Charlotte at Grace streets, Pottstown. The Rev. Kevin S. Leibensperger, pastor of Trinity E.C. Church, will officiate. A viewing will be held from the funeral home from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Contributions may be made to Trinity E. C. Church, 250 Sweinhart Road, Boyertown, PA 19512. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Park, Pottstown.
MARGARET J. CONRAD
A memorial service was held for Margaret J. Conrad, 78, who died Oct. 14 in St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital, Quakertown, where she had been a patient. She had been a resident of the Quakertown Nursing Center, Quakertown, since 1996. She was the widow of Grant G. Conrad who died in 1981. Born in Boyertown, she was a graduate of Boyertown High School. Conrad was a homemaker, and a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Boyertown. Surviving are a son, Gary L. Conrad, Malvern and one granddaughter. The memorial service was held from the L. W. Ott Funeral Home Inc., Boyertown, with Sister Millicent J. Drake officiating. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 45 North Reading Avenue, Boyertown, PA 19512. (It was stated in last week’s issue of the Times, that the memorial service was to be held in St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Times regrets the error.)
