Obituaries by Location
Robert Hamblen Eaton
December 29, 2003
Robert Hamblen Eaton, 70, of Harrisburg, died Monday, December 29, 2003, at Holy Spirit Hospital, East Pennsboro Twp.
He was a retired Commander in the United States Navy with over 27 years of service and was also retired from the PA Historic and Museum Commission; a graduate of Allegheny College, Meadville, and George Washington School of Museum Studies, Washington, D.C., and Camp Hill High School, Camp Hill; a board member of both the Navy League of Harrisburg, and the Historical Society of Dauphin County; he played a major role in the reconstruction and restoration of the Flagship of Pennsylvania, U.S. Brig Niagara; a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Harrisburg; Perseverance Lodge # 21, F & A.M., Harrisburg; Harrisburg Consistory; Zembo Shrine, Harrisburg and was current president of its Antique and Classic Car Unit; and a member of the National Sojourners. Mr. Eaton was born June 30, 1933, in Warren, PA, to the late Hamblen C. and Zelma Mae (Bowman) Eaton.
Surviving is his wife, Virginia Hartman Eaton; a brother and his wife, David C. and Mary H. Eaton, Dillsburg; a niece, Gail H. Eaton, Dillsburg; a nephew, William D. Eaton, Rockville, MD; 1 grand niece and 2 grand nephews.
Funeral services will be held 11 am Saturday in his church with the Rev. Anthony C. Alexander, his pastor, officiating. Burial
with full military honors will be at 11:30 am Tuesday in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Hanover Twp. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service Sat. in the church with Masonic Services at 10 am in the Guild room. Arrangements are under the direction of Parthemore Funeral Home and Cremation Services, New Cumberland.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions to Historic Society of Dauphin County, 219 South Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104 or to Grace United Methodist Church, 216 State St, Harrisburg, PA 17113.
S. Todd Smith
December 31, 2003
S.Todd Smith, 38, former General Manager of the New England Revolution Major Soccer League team in Foxboro, MA, and Hershey Wildcats A-League professional soccer team and defender with the Harrisburg Heat NPSL indoor soccer league team, died Wednesday morning, December 31, 2003, in Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston after a lengthy and courageous battle with leukemia. His fiancée, Lynne Meterparel, and mother, Polly smith, were with him at the time of his death. Todd’s son, Drake Smith, and sister, Debbie Smith-Voight, were also with him in his final days. Todd was born in Buffalo, NY, September 19, 1965 and lived most recently in Lincoln, MA.
He was preceded in death by his father, Sig Smith, and wife, Ingrid Smith. Over the Christmas holiday, soccer players from all across the nation journeyed to Boston to visit with Todd in the hospital, paying their respects to one of professional soccer’s best-loved players and executives and sharing with him some of their fondest memories of him on the playing field where “Shmutz” as he was known fondly to players and fans alike, was renown for his warm smile, quick wit, and dangerous right leg as a feared defender throughout his career. Smith, a 1983 graduate of Cumberland Valley High school, received his bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Pittsburgh, where he had an outstanding career as a four-year starter for Pitt’s soccer team. During his career at Pitt, Todd was twice named an “All-Middle Atlantic region player,” a Division I Regional All-American, and played in the 1987 Budweiser Classic for future professional soccer players. He captained Pitt’s Big East Southern Conference championship team his senior year. Drafted by Wichita of the Major Indoor Soccer Association in 1988, Smith opted instead for a one-year deal with the Fort Wayne Flames of the American Indoor Soccer Association. He left the Flames for a short stay with the Atlanta Attack, also of the AISA, before being traded to the Hershey Impact in 1990, a deal that brought him home to Central Pennsylvania. In 1990, with the creation of the Harrisburg Heat of the NPSL, Todd was one of the initial players signed and became the keystone of a winning combination for a franchise that enjoyed many years of success on the field. With his retirement from the Heat, he was named an original member of the team’s “Hall of Fame” with his “jersey” hanging high above the State Farm Show Arena playing field for many years. After a brief tenure in private industry with Universal Protective Packaging, Todd was named the first General Manager of the Hershey Wildcats of the A-League professional soccer league on November 8, 1996. The following year he was named the USISL “1997 Executive of the Year” for his off-the-field guidance of the franchise. After three years with the Wildcats, Todd was named the General Manager of Major Soccer League’s New England Revolution in Foxboro, Massachusetts, a position he held until 2002. He was honored by the United Soccer Leagues in 2002 with the Archie Moylan Courage Award . . . “For courage in the face of adversity, Tireless dedication to soccer, Overcoming obstacles without bounds, Giving back to the community.” While his exploits on the playing field have been well documented, it was, perhaps, his contributions off the field that will ultimately prove to be the most memorable of his all-too-short life. He was a tireless force in his community, whether in Harrisburg or in the New England area, for such causes and the Multiple Sclerosis Society, helping to raise countless dollars for research into this disease. In addition, he spent many hours working quietly in support of other community programs, from local soccer clinics and camps to counseling students, and seeking contributions for community projects and health-related foundations. Following his early retirement from professional soccer, Todd devoted the last few years of his life to serving as a fund raising consultant for the national Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, working to involve his life’s work, professional soccer, in the search for a cure for leukemia. When Todd retired for the Heat, he was quoted as saying, “I’ve always said I’m not the strongest, I’m not the fastest, I’m not the best-skilled and I don’t have the best shot, but the one thing I do have is that I’m very strong mentally and I’m very determined. Those are qualities that are going to last and do well for you in any environment.” It was the strength of his will, the determination of his character, and the resilience of his spirit that carried him throughout his hall of fame career and life . . . and assisted him in fighting the biggest battle he faced. On which he defeated on his own terms with the same grace and courage that characterized his entire life.
Memorial services will be held Sunday, January 18 in Trinity Evangelical Luthern Church, 2000 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill with Rev. J. Stewart Hardy officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to service which will start promptly at 3pm, and again immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, Todd and his family have requested that contributions be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (Home Office, 1311 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605) in support of research to eradicate this disease, or to a trust fund for Drake Allen Nahrwold Smith to be administered through M & T Bank, Lemoyne, PA
Russell Jesse Ditzler
January 1, 2004
Russell Jesse Ditzler, Sr., 74, formerly of Union Deposit, died Thursday, January 1, 2004, at Pleasant Acres, York.
He was a retired carpenter for the former Earl Latsha Lumber and Millwork, Harrisburg; a member of Carpenters Union, Local 287, Harrisburg; Unity Church, Union Deposit and a former member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, New Cumberland; and was active with the formation and early years of the Fairview Twp. youth baseball program. Mr. Ditzler was born January 8, 1929, in Pine Grove, PA, to the late George A. and Laura E. (Welker) Ditzler. He was the widower of Jeraldine Romain Harro Ditzler and was also preceded in death by a grand daughter, Dana L. Ditzler.
Surviving are three sons, Russell J., Jr., Annville, Gregory G., Goldsboro, NC, and Robert J., Dover; a daughter, Lieutenant Colonel Judith A. Meek, Shalimar, FL; two brothers, Roy A., Ravine, PA, and George F., Scranton; two sisters, Shirley Ravina, Orwigsburg, and Sara Garron, Avoca, PA; four grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Funeral services will be held 11 am Tuesday in St. Paul Lutheran Church, 524 Bridge St., New Cumberland, with the Rev. Elaine M. Dent officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Fairview Twp. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the services in the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Parthemore Funeral Home and Cremation Services, New Cumberland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to the American Diabetes Assn., 3544 N. Progress Avenue, Suite 202, Harrisburg, Pa 17110.
Charles Sowers
January 7, 2004
Charles Sowers, 87, of Newberry Twp., York Haven, died Wednesday, January 07, 2004, at home.
He was a retired employee of Camp Hill Art Press, New Cumberland; a WWII Army Veteran; and a member of Parkville Church of the Living God, York Haven. Mr. Sowers was born July 3, 1916, in Dover Twp., York County, to the late Charles and Annie (Baker) Sowers. He was widow of Betty Jane (Coble) Sowers and was preceded in death by a son, Edwin L. Sowers.
Surviving is a son and a daughter, Alan L. Sowers and Debbie A. Sowers, both of Newberry Twp., York Haven; four sisters, Hanna Lehr, Hazel Gray, Emma Jackson, and Kate Hawkins, all of York; a grandson, Matthew A. Sowers; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 11 am Monday in his church with the Rev. James Winter, Sr. officiating. Burial will be in Parkville Cemetery, Newberry Twp. Viewing will be held 10 – 11 am Monday in the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lewisberry Fire Company, 105 West Front Street, Lewisberry, PA 17339. Arrangements are under the direction of Parthemore Funeral Home and Cremation Services, New Cumberland.
Louise M. Gillis
January 13, 2004
Louise M. Gillis, 81, of Camp Hill, died Tuesday, January 13, 2004 in Holy Spirit Hospital, East Pennsboro Twp.
She was born April 25, 1922 in Arlington, MA to the late Harry and Grace (Reardon) Miller. She was a retired Executive Secretary for Pennsylvania State Senator Coppersmith. She was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church, New Cumberland and found fulfillment teaching English as a second language in both the Harrisburg and Atlanta areas. Louise also lived in Marietta, GA where she was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
The widow of Donald R. Gillis, she is survived by three sons, Donald A. of Marietta, GA, Ian P. of Matsumoto, Japan, and James M. of San Francisco, CA; two daughters, Martha Gross of Atlanta, GA and Patricia A. Miller of Dillsburg; fourteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; and others whom she considered her children including Tao and Lee Nguyen and Jan and Maria Hartel of the Harrisburg area.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am Saturday at her church. There will be no viewing or visitation. Interment will be in Kennesaw Memorial Park, Georgia at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are requested to American Lung Association of Pennsylvania, 3001 Old Gettysburg Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011
MSgt. Richard L. Holland, USAF, Ret.
January 18, 2004
MSgt. Richard L. Holland, USAF, Ret., 76, of Lower Allen Twp. died Sunday 1/18/04 in Harrisburg Hospital.
In addition to his retirement from the U.S. Air Force, he was a retired Supply Clerk serving the NSPCC, Hampden Twp. and later at the New Cumberland Army Depot, Fairview Twp. He was a former Deacon for the First Presbyterian Church in Meadville, PA; an avid supporter of the Girl Scouts of America with his four daughters; an avid NASCAR fan; enjoyed all types of cars; and was a member of the VFW, Carlisle. He was born 7/3/27 in St. Clairesville, Bedford Co. to the late George W. and Nellie (Cunningham) Holland.
He was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Ted, Barney and Raymond Holland and a son-in-law Charles L. Hodges. He is survived by his wife Mary Alice (Taylor) Holland; 4 daughters, Lt. Col. Carol A. Hodges, U.S. Army, Ret. Of Galveston, TX, Linda S. Chapman and husband Ronald L. of Raeford, NC, Deborah H. Armentrout and husband Richard H., Jr. of Adamstown, MD, and Janice L. Holland of Salem, WV; 2 brothers, Stanford W. of Fishertown, PA and G. Fred of Honolulu, HI; a sister Helen Graybill of Dover, PA; 2 grandchildren, Ensign Travis A. Chapman, U.S. Navy of Kings Island, GA and Kaitlyn T. Chapman of Raeford, NC.
Services will be held 11 am Thursday 1/22/04 in Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services, New Cumberland. Entombment will be in the mausoleum of Rolling Green Memorial Park, Lower Allen Twp. Viewing will be from 6-8 pm Wednesday evening and 10:30 until time of service Thursday in the funeral home.
The family requests in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be made to the American Lung Assn. Of Central PA, 6041 Linglestown Rd. Harrisburg, PA 17112.
Harry A. Zimmerman
January 21, 2004
Harry A. Zimmerman, 80, of Silver Spring Twp., Mechanicsburg, died Wednesday, January 21, 2004, at home.
He was a retired electrical engineer for U.S. Steel Corporation, Camp Hill location; a member and past president of the United Steelworkers of America, Local 1688, Harrisburg; a WWII Navy Veteran serving aboard the John Bermingham Destroyer Escort; a member of the West Shore Elks #2257, Camp Hill; Mechanicsburg Club; and the American Legion Post 109, Mechanicsburg. Mr. Zimmerman was born July 2, 1923 in Carlisle, PA. He was the widower of Gloria E. Bickley Zimmerman.
Nieces and a nephew survive him.
Memorial services will be held 11 am Monday in Parthemore Funeral Home and Cremation Services, New Cumberland, with the Rev. Dennis E. Hamsher officiating. Burial will be in Rolling Green Memorial Park, Lower Allen Twp. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services in the funeral home on Monday.
Memorial contributions may be made to Elks National Home, 931 Ashland Avenue, Bedford, VA 24523.
