Obituaries by LocationJeanette M. Heisler
Jeanette M. Heisler, 55, of 14 Third Street, Washington Boro, died unexpectedly of natural causes Thursday, April 7, 2005, at the Essa Flory Hospice Center, Lancaster. Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late George F. and Esther M. Poole Garrett.
She and her husband, George R. Heisler, Jr., celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary on February 14, 2005. For the past 15 years she worked as a custodian for the Penn Manor School District. Jeanette enjoyed vacationing with her family in Chincoteague, VA, and spending time doing arts and crafts. She was also an avid NASCAR and thoroughbred racing fan.
Surviving besides her husband is a daughter, Angela M., marriage
to Oscar E. Miller, Columbia, and a son, Chad R., marriage to Jacqueline Heisler, Greensburg, her granddaughter, Alysha M. Miller and a step grandson Matthew E. Miller.
Also surviving are four sisters, Doris M., wife of the late John Bair, of Millersville, Sandra M., wife of Richard Funke, Holtwood, Barbara J., wife of Dennis Eshleman, Washington Boro, Karen J. Royer, Willow Street, and one brother, George F. Garrett Jr., Wilmington, DE.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend her Life Celebration on Monday at 11:30 AM at Fred F. Groff, Inc., 234 W. Orange Street, Lancaster. Burial in Riverview Burial Park. Viewing will be on Sunday evening from 6 - 8 PM and one hour prior to the service on Monday. Please omit flowers. If desired, memorial contributions may be made in Jeanette's memory to Hospice of Lancaster County 685 Good Drive, P.O. Box 4125 Lancaster, PA 17604. A Life Celebration Funeral Home.
James R. Porter Sr.
Published: Apr 11, 2005
James R. Porter, Sr., 66, of 1347 Meadowcreek Lane, Lancaster, died Sunday at his residence.
He was the husband of Geraldine E. Long Porter, to whom he was marriage for 43 years. Born in Conneaut, Ohio, he was the son of the late Marshall D. and Hannah M. Kingston Porter.
He had been employed as a courier for the Way Messenger Service of Lancaster for 10 years, retiring in 2002. Prior to this he had worked for 25 years as the general foreman for the former Certified Diaper Service of Lancaster.
He was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 867 Santa Maria Assembly where he was a 4th Degree Knight. He also served on the 3rd Degree Team and bowled in the Knights of Columbus Bowling League.
He enjoyed traveling and playing cards, especially poker and cribbage with his family. He also enjoyed watching the Antiques Roadshow on TV, and he loved good food and dining at different restaurants. He was known for his great sense of humor.
He was a US Navy veteran, serving from 1955 to 1959 as an Engineman 3rd Class on the USS Shelldrake.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by 3 sons: James P., Jr. of Mountville, Douglas M., marriage to Molly Porter of Lancaster and Donald M., marriage to Kristin Porter of Easton; 2 daughters: Linda A. Porter of Lititz and Mary E. Porter of Doylestown and 6 grandchildren. He is also survived by 3 brothers: William, John and David and by 3 sisters: Boots Johnson, Karen Marrie and Judy Tennant. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Porter and a sister, Betty Porter.
Friends will be received on Tuesday evening at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home and Chapel, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, from 7-9PM, with the recitation of the Rosary at 8:30PM. Friends will be received again on Wednesday morning at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 554 W. Walnut St., Lancaster, PA 17603 from 10-11AM, with the Mass at 11AM. Please omit flowers, making contributions in his memory to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church.
George Ritzman Jr.
Published: Apr 11, 2005
George Ritzman, Jr., of Columbia, died Saturday at Essa Flory Hospice Center. He was the husband of Beverly M. Covert Ritzman with whom he celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary on January 21, 2005.
He was born in Norwood, son of the late George, Sr. and Anna Ott Ritzman. As a young boy, he picked tomatoes at area farms. He also worked for Paul Myers Well Drilling Company and he was a core maker and foreman at the former ITT Grinnell for thirty years before retiring in 1985. He also was a farmer, a butcher and an avid hunter. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War where he served as a staff sergeant.
Surviving in addition to his wife, two sons: Roger L. Ritzman, Mount Joy, George Steven, marriage to Wendy Ritzman, Mifflintown; four daughters: Cindy Johnston, Lebanon, Donna Ritzman, Columbia, Dawn, marriage to Joseph Robert, Elizabethtown and Jody marriage to Brent Benard, Lebanon; eight grandchildren: Daniel Ritzman, Erica Ritzman, Matthew Johnston, Joshua Ritzman, Justin Ritzman, Jillian Ritzman, Dalton Benard and Ian Benard and one great grandson: Damion Ritzman. He was preceded in death by one daughter: Sandra Ritzman; son-in-law: Scott Johnston; one brother: Roy R. Ritzman and one sister: Dorothy B. Gainer.
Funeral service will be held at the John E. Kraft Funeral Home, 114 West Main Street, Mountville, PA on Friday, April 15, 2005 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Christopher Zepp, officiating. Interment in Silver Spring Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard. Friends may call at the John E. Kraft Funeral Home on Thursday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and also on Friday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Please omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.
Russel L. Row
Russel L. Row, 76, of 357 North Broad St., Lititz, passed away on Saturday, April 9, 2005, at M. S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, after a brief illness.
Born in Wiconisco, Dauphin Co., PA, he was the son of the late William A. and Margaretta Boden Row.
A member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colebrook, he formerly served on the church council and as secretary for the Sunday school. Mr. Row was a life member of American Legion Post #56, Lititz, and of the Manheim VFW Post #5956 of Manheim, in addition to having memberships in Manheim Lodge#587, F&AM, Lodge of Perfection, Harrisburg Consistory, Zembo Temple and Tall Cedars #27, Lititz Springs Order of the Eastern Star #499, Manheim and also belonged to a pinochle club for 50 years. Retiring in 1990, he worked as a salesmen for Snavely & Dosch of Lancaster. Russel served in the U.S.Army during the Korean Conflict.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Helen L. Stober Row, Lititz, daughter, Karen L., wife of J. Steven Miller; son, Phillip L., husband of Karen R. Row, both of Lititz and grandchildren, Danielle and Cole Miller and Collin and Hannah Row, in addition to a brother, Kenneth C., husband of Joyce G. Row, of Dover, PA.
Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 16, 2005, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Colebrook, PA followed by a Masonic service conducted by Manheim Lodge #587 F.&A.M., and concluding with a Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 AM at the church with Rev. William D. Carlson officiating. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Trinity Lutheran Memorial Fund, Box 237, Colebrook, PA 17402. Richard H. Heisey Funeral Home, Lititz, serving the family.
William Walker McClung
William Walker McClung, 65, of Lancaster, died Saturday at Lancaster Regional Hospital. Born October 25, 1939, in Sprague, West Virginia, he was a son of the late Emery and Alma (Delaughter) McClung. He is survived by his wife, Shirley (Kleinhans) McClung.
Mr. McClung enjoyed deep sea fishing, shuffleboard, football and woodworking. He also enjoyed country music and picking on the guitar, and loved attending the Jamboree in the Hills Country Music Fest. Mr. McClung was a beneficial member of the American Order of Otters #1.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by 2 sons: William Walker McClung, Jr. of Lancaster and Douglas Scott McClung of Pequea; 2 daughters: Michelle Kay Leberfinger of Strasburg and Angela Marie Pfeiffer of Pequea; 3 sisters: Doris Gasboro, Betty Shannon and Donna Wade; 2 brothers: Emery "Bud" Mason and Robert McClung and 6 grandchildren: Josh McClung, Jade Lehman, Kati McClung, Andy Leberfinger, Zeb Pfeiffer and Jed Pfeiffer.
Funeral services will be 7:00 PM Wednesday at the Gundel Funeral Home, 415 North Duke St., Lancaster. Viewing will be one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Lancaster Unit, 314 Good Dr. Lancaster, PA 17603 or the Lancaster Chapter of the American Diabetes Association, 630 Janet Ave., Lancaster, PA 17601.
George Ritzman Jr.
Published: Apr 12, 2005
George Ritzman, Jr., of Columbia, died Saturday at Essa Flory Hospice Center. He was the husband of Beverly M. Covert Ritzman with whom he celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary on January 21, 2005.
He was born in Norwood, son of the late George, Sr. and Anna Ott Ritzman. As a young boy, he picked tomatoes at area farms. He also worked for Paul Myers Well Drilling Company and he was a core maker and foreman at the former ITT Grinnell for thirty years before retiring in 1985. He also was a farmer, a butcher and an avid hunter. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War where he served as a staff sergeant.
Surviving in addition to his wife, two sons: Roger L. Ritzman, Mount Joy, George Steven, marriage to Wendy Ritzman, Mifflintown; four daughters: Cindy Johnston, Lebanon, Donna Ritzman, Columbia, Dawn, marriage to Joseph Robert, Elizabethtown and Jody marriage to Brent Benard, Lebanon; eight grandchildren: Daniel Ritzman, Erica Ritzman, Matthew Johnston, Joshua Ritzman, Justin Ritzman, Jillian Ritzman, Dalton Benard and Ian Benard and one great grandson: Damion Ritzman. Also surviving: one brother, James, marriage to Josephine Ritzman, Blaine, PA and two sisters, Jane Hartman Burdick, Las Vegas, NV and Arlene, marriage to Gene Snyder, Columbia, PA. He was preceded in death by one daughter: Sandra Ritzman; son-in-law: Scott Johnston; one brother: Roy R. Ritzman and one sister: Dorothy B. Gainer.
Funeral service will be held at the John E. Kraft Funeral Home, 114 West Main Street, Mountville, PA on Friday, April 15, 2005 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Christopher Zepp, officiating. Interment in Silver Spring Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard. Friends may call at the John E. Kraft Funeral Home on Thursday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and also on Friday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Please omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.
John H. Kestler
John H. Kestler, 83, passed away an April 10, 2005 at Brethren Village.
Mr. Kestler was born in Philadelphia on January 23,1922. He lived with his wife and family in Springfield, Delaware County for over 40 years, spending summers in Ocean City, MD. He was a 1939 graduate of North Philadelphia High School and in 1944 graduated from Drexel University with a degree in electrical engineering. He was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity.
His distinguished career includes many highlights. His technical expertise evolved from 47 years of employment with companies including; Westinghouse, Fischer and Porter, and the Parsons-Jurden Corp., who constructed the new US Mint in 1967. He created and managed his own electrical company which was selected for the refurbishing of the San Francisco Mint. After completing his work for the US Treasury Department, he became an elevator inspector utilizing his technical expertise for the State of PA. His territory included the counties of Philadelphia, Delaware, Bucks, Chester and Montgomery. John retired in 1991.
John met his wife, Naomi Clayville, at Westinghouse. They were marriage for 46 years before her death in 1999. Their children are Joanna, John and Susan. John died in 1967, after a battle with leukemia at the age of 10. They were active in St. Matthew s Lutheran Church in Springfield, PA. John belonged to the Masonic Order Lodge #59 in Philadelphia for over 50 years. Joanna and husband, Philip Garraty, live in West Grove, PA with a daughter, Sarah Garraty, a junior at Lancaster Mennonite High School. Susan and husband, Christopher Owens, live in Media, PA with a son, John Owens, a 4th grader at St. Aloysius Academy in Bryn Mawr, PA.
John s final 5 years were spent in Lancaster, at the Luther Acres and Brethren Village Retirement Communities.
In thanksgiving, the family would like to extend an invitation to all those who knew and cared for John at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Chapel, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA on Wednesday from 7-9PM. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, at 11AM at St. Matthew s Lutheran Church, 400 Lynbrook Rd., Springfield, PA 19064. Friends may call at the church from 10-11AM. Interment services will be held on Thursday at 1PM at Evergreen Cemetery, Berlin, MD. Memorial Contributions may be made in his memory to the Brethren Village, 3001 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA 17606-5093 or to St. Matthew s Lutheran Church.
