Obituaries by LocationCecelia H. Tranovich
Cecelia H. Tranovich, 85, of East Cocalico Township, 15 Marlin Drive, was pronounced as dead of natural causes at 9:30 AM on Sunday, January 23, 2005 at the Berks County Home-Berks Heim, Bern Township where she had been a patient since May 31, 1994. She was the wife of Andrew S. Tranovich.
Born in Reading, she was a daughter of the late Stanley and Sophie Golembiewski. She was a member of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Reading. She was a home maker. In addition to her husband she is survived by three sons, Richard Tranovich, Egg Harbor Township, NJ, Andrew F. Tranovich, Carmel, Indiana and Lawrence Tranovich, Reading; four grandchildren; one brother, Henry Golembiewski, Bern Township; three sisters, Stella Bilski, Reading, Joan Kegerise, Kenhorst and Clara Bukowski, Reading.
Relatives and friends may call at the Kopicki-Bradley Funeral Home, 239 South Ninth St., Reading on Friday morning from 8:15 to 9:30 AM. The Mass of Christian Burial
will be celebrated at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 250 S. 12th St., Friday at 10:00 AM. Interment is at St. Mary Cemetery, Reading.
The Kopicki-Bradley Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements, (610) 372-1730.
Brenda L. Dieter
Brenda L. Dieter, 38, of 1030 Welsh Road, Honey Brook, died Monday, Jan. 3, 2005, at Ephrata Community Hospital after a two year battle with cancer.
Born in Lancaster County, she was the daughter of Edward Dieter of Reading and Doris M. Dieter of East Ear.
Brenda resided with Ernest and Grace Barkman for the past 20 years and was considered part of the family by them.
She was a member of Faith Fellowship Church. In recent years, she enjoyed collecting Longaberger baskets and lighthouses.
She will be greatly missed by many.
Brenda is survived by her parents, a brother, Brian K. Dieter and a sister, Barbara A. Gobber. Many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends also survive.
Funeral Services will be on Saturday, Jan. 8 at 2:00 PM from the Morgantown Community Church, Route 23, Morgantown, PA with the Rev. Ray Moyer officiating. Friends may call at the church on Saturday between 1 and 2 PM. Interment will be held in the Mt. Zion U. M. Cemetery, Narvon, PA. Arrangements Entrusted to the Andrew T. Scheid Funeral Home, 320 Blue Rock Road, Millersville, PA. 717-872-2266.
Lorena Opal Graybeal
Lorena Opal Graybeal, 91, of 409 South Hillcrest Avenue, Quarryville, died on Thursday, January 6, 2005 at home of natural causes. Born in Ashe County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Robert Lee and Cora D. Roark Graybeal. She was of the Methodist faith. She was a member of the Quarryville Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary. and the Solanco Senior Center. She was a world traveler, a great cook and gardener. She loved reading. Her favorite book was the Bible and literature by Norman Vincent Peale. She was always ready to share and discuss the word of God with others and share the many blessings He had bestowed on her and her family. "Blessed be the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort." "Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord: please him, O ye servants of the Lord."
She is survived by 2 grand daughters, Debby Wright-Neff of Quarryville, PA and Michelle, marriage to Steve Reeves Sr. of Kirkwood, PA, and a son-in-law, Clarence M. "Bud" Wright of Kirkwood, PA. 3 great-grandchildren, Steven Jr. & Samantha Reeves, and Morgan Neff. Lorena was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara L. Wright and a long time friend and companion, Lloyd Wolf.
The Funeral Service will be held at Wrightsdale Baptist Church, 310 Little Britain Road, Peach Bottom on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 10:00 A.M. with Pastor Terry Douglas officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Kirkwood, PA. Visitation will be held at Reynolds Funeral Home, 144 E. State Street, Quarryville, PA on Monday from 7:00-8:30 PM and on Tuesday at Wrightsdale Baptist Church from 9:30-10:00AM. In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125 or Wrightsdale Baptist Church Building Fund, 310 Little Britain Road, Peach Bottom, PA 17563.
Ronald Martin Anderson
Ronald Martin Anderson, 75, of Lancaster County, died on January 4, 2005 in his home on Winding Way. Born in Flushing, NY, he was the son of Henry C. and Margaret K. Lang Anderson.
He is survived by his wife Patricia K. Anderson and two children, Elizabeth L. Anderson of Brussels, Belgium and John M. Anderson of Southborough, MA. The couple celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary on April 19.
He attended Manhassett High School, NY and then went on to Yale University, graduating with a BA in International Relations and receiving a commission as 2LT from Yale ROTC in 1950. Called to Active Duty, he served with the US Army's 2nd Armored Division, 14th Field Artillery Battalion in Germany during the Korean Conflict.
After discharge from Active Duty, he joined the International Division of Armstrong Cork Company and worked in sales and management, traveling throughout South America, the Middle East, and Spain from 1954 -1968, and was stationed in Hawaii and North Spain with his family during the 1960's. He continued in the business of product cork and tag product sales, import and export, developing the sales and manufacturing departments with Keener Tag Manufacturing Company, Dodge Cork Company, Expanko Cork Company and Tecnicor International. Throughout his career he maintained an avid interest in international travel, cultivating language skills in Spanish and Portuguese.
During this time, he continued his military service with the U.S. Army Reserve, serving in various European commands during the 1960's and as an Instructor with the 2090th USAR School, Harrisburg throughout the 1970's. He compled over 28 years of service and retired as Colonel.
Complementing his formal military service, he maintained an avid interest in military history, reading widely, collecting and painting miniature lead figures throughout his life, specializing in the Victorian period through the Great War. He maintained an active membership in the Company of Military Historians, Rutland, MA, since 1960, being elected a Fellow in 2002.
Private interment in Willow Street Mennonite Cemetery.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: Saturday at 1 PM in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 31 South Duke Street, Lancaster, PA, with the Reverend Dr. David L. Johnson officiating. Friends will be received in Fondersmith Auditorium immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ron's memory may be directed to The Company of Military Historians, PO Box 910, Rutland, MA 01543. Arrangements by Bachman Funeral Home, Strasburg, PA.
Cynthia Draper McKenna
Cynthia Draper McKenna died at home in San Mateo, California, December 26, 2004. She was born in Lancaster, August 23, 1924, to Dr. Dexter Wright Draper and Maude Frantz Draper of 232 East Orange Street.
She was a graduate of the Shippen School (now Lancaster Country Day) 1942, Wellesley College BA 1946, and the University of California Berkeley MSW 1960. A descendant of Hans Herr, she was also related to the Bausman, Frantz, and Frick families. She was the sister of the late Dexter W. Draper, Jr., Franklin & Marshall Academy graduate 1944. She was a childhood member of the First Reformed Church.
She was a translator with the United States element of the Allied Commission for Europe in Vienna, Austria, 1946-1948, where she met her husband, the late John M. McKenna. She moved to San Mateo in 1948 and was a longtime family and children's social worker with the San Mateo County Health and Welfare Department.
She visited Lancaster most recently in May 2004 after attending grandson Edward's graduation from the University of Pennsylvania. She delighted in showing her children and grandchildren the landmarks of her childhood and having a first cousins reunion dinner at the Stockyard Inn, site of her grandfather Andrew Frantz's business.
Survived by daughter, Martha of San Francisco; sons, Andrew, and wife Sheri of Salinas, CA, Michael, and wife Susan of San Mateo, Peter of San Mateo, and Brian Dexter of Whidbey Island, WA; six grandchildren; two nieces and a nephew. Also survived by several first cousins, including William Schaeffer, Elizabeth Schaeffer Wolfe, Margaret Schaeffer Hoar of Lancaster, Jane Addams Caulfield of New Canaan, CT, and David Frantz of Martha's Vineyard.
Memorial services were held December 31 at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, San Mateo. Internment at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco. Contributions to Lancaster Country Day School.
Elva Yinger
Published: Jan 03, 2005
Elva Yinger, 87, formerly of Bethel, entered into rest Friday at the home of her son, 400 Meadowview Dr., Lebanon.
Born in E. Earl Twp., she was a daughter of the late Harvey and Anna (Horst) Zimmerman. Her husband J. Russell Yinger died May 17, 1996.
Surviving are her children: Charlotte Kindt, Paradise, Richard A. (Caroline), Kunkletown, Stanley L. (Patricia), Pen Argyl, Michael L. (Linda), with whom she resided, Charles E. (Bunny), Lebanon; 9 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; brothers: George Zimmerman, Shillington, Carl Zimmerman, Stevens, Eugene Zimmerman, British Columbia. Elva was preceded in death by a son, Billy and a grandson, William.
A former Avon Lady for 9 years, she delivered the Reading Eagle Newspaper, and was a member of Christ Evangelical Free Church, Strausstown.
Viewing: Tuesday, 1-2 pm; Funeral: 2:00 pm in the Roseboro Funeral Home, 533 Walnut St. Denver, with Rev. Douglas Boyer officiating. Interment in Weaverland Menn. Cemetery.
Rev. Elvin J. Groff
Rev. Elvin J. Groff, 83, of Wernersville, PA, passed away at 11:15 AM, Saturday, January 8th, 2005 of natural causes at his residence.
Born and raised in Lancaster, Rev. Groff was the son of the late Jay C. and Clara F. (Kline) Groff. He graduated from McCaskey High School in 1939. Rev. Groff received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Franklin & Marshall College in 1943 and a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1945. In 1960 he completed his Master of Sacred Theology degree at Lutheran Seminary in Mt. Airy, PA.
Rev. Groff was ordained as a Minister in 1946. He began his career with the Evangelical Congregational Church, with the California charge in Lancaster County, as well as at Olivet E.C. Church in Bethlehem, PA and Akron and Brownstown E.C. Churches. From 1954 to 1959, Rev. Groff was pastor at St. Stephen s U.C.C. in Lebanon, PA. Rev. Groff was Pastor Emeritus at First U.C.C. in Spring City, where he served for 22 years. From 1981 to 1987, he was Executive Director and Administrator for Christian Concern in Norristown, PA, with the facilities of Jefferson Apartments in Norristown, PA and Saucony Cross in Kutztown, PA.
Upon retiring from Christian Concern, Rev. Groff served numerous interims in Chester, Montgomery and Berks Counties, PA, for the Pennsylvania South East Conference, U.C.C. He also served on numerous committees for the Pennsylvania South East Conference, U.C.C., as well as a member of the Pension Board of U.C.C. Rev. Groff was also active in many civic organizations, such as the United Way.
In his spare time Rev. Groff enjoyed golfing, traveling, and doing crossword puzzles. For many years, he played the tuba in the Ringold Band. He was also a member of the Phoebe Berks Village Choir.
He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He was a true Christian who was involved extensively in all of the communities in which he resided. He was the beloved husband for 60 years of E. Jean (Baldwin) Groff; devoted father of Sharon Fagley and her husband, Tom, of Pompano Beach, FL and Merritt B. Groff and his wife, Holly, of Wilmington, DE; dear brother of the Rev. Dale R. Groff and his wife, Patricia, of Auburn, PA; loving grandfather of 6 and great grandfather of 4; special uncle of 2 nieces and 1 nephew.
Viewing: Tuesday 7 to 8:30 PM in Phoebe Berks Village Chapel, 9 Reading Dr., Wernersville, PA and Wednesday 8:30 to 10 AM in First United Church of Christ, 145 Chestnut St., Spring City, PA 19475.
Religious Service: Wednesday, 10 AM at the church.
Interment at Riverview Memorial Park, Lancaster, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rev. Groff s memory to First United Church of Christ, Spring City, PA.
