Obituaries by LocationRalph R. Ruth
Dec. 4, 1922 - Dec. 13, 2001
U.S. Marine Corps
World War II
Reading Bricklayer's Union Local #21
Ralph R. Ruth, 79, of 165 Parkview Heights Road, Ephrata, Lancaster County, died Thursday morning at 9:23 AM in the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Lebanon, where he was stricken with a heart attack while arriving for a doctor’s visit. An autopsy was conducted at the facility showing death
due to natural causes. Born in Manheim, Lancaster County, he was a son of the late Paul I. and Ruth A. (Yeager) Ruth. He was the husband of Caroline R. (Root) Ruth for 50 years on March 1, 2001. Ruth retired in 1974 after 22 years as a masonry worker with the Reading Bricklayer’s Union Local #21. He was last employed as an inspector with Huth Engineers, Lancaster. He was a World War II veteran of the Marine Corps. Surviving in addition to his wife are 2 sons, R. Robert Ruth, at home; and Rick, marriage to Mary Sue (Emerick) Ruth, Ephrata; 4 granddaughters and a great-grandson. Also surviving are 4 sisters, Betty (Ruth) Enck, Lititz, PA; Sylvia (Ruth) Breitigan, Lititz, PA; Gladys (Ruth), marriage to William Wechter, Elm, PA; and Nancy (Ruth), marriage to Robert Bradfield, Mt. Joy, PA; and 3 brothers, Walter, marriage to Betty (Buchter) Ruth, Intercourse, PA; Kenneth, marriage to Linda (Weinhold) Ruth, Ephrata, PA; and Larry, marriage to Susan Ruth, Lititz, PA. A daughter, Brenda Hoover, died in 1998.
Ralph had preplanned his arrangements and his request was that everything be kept simple and totally private.
If you wish to remember him, please refrain from sending flowers. His wishes were that contributions be sent to the American Heart Association, 610 Community Way, Lancaster, PA 17604, or to the American Cancer Society, 314 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603.
R. Robert Ruth "Doc"
March 29, 1941 - May 3, 2004
R. Robert “Doc” Ruth, 63, formerly of Parkview Heights Road, Ephrata, Lancaster County, died Monday afternoon, May 3, 2004, in Moravian Manor, Lititz, Lancaster County, where he resided since January 2002. Born in Ephrata, he was a son of the late Ralph R. and Caroline R. (Root) Ruth. He was employed as a micro-fish operator by Sperry New Holland, New Holland, PA, for 9 years last working in 1990. “Doc” was an avid card player and enjoyed the ‘golden oldies’ music. Surviving is a brother, Rick, marriage to Mary Sue (Emmerich) Ruth, Ephrata, and 4 nieces. A sister, Brenda Hoover, preceded him in death in 1998.
All services will be held privately by the family at Robert's request. Inurnment will take place with his late parents in Lincoln Cemetery, Ephrata, PA
Clair T. Rutt
April 2, 1929 - December 6, 2003
Clair T. Rutt, 74, of 1815 Kramer Mill Road, Denver, Lancaster County, died unexpectedly Saturday around Noon at his home of natural causes following shoveling snow. Born in East Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, he was a son of the late Phares S. and Evelyn C. (Trupe) Rutt, and was the husband of Marian L. (Reddig) Rutt, for 55 years on August 21st. He was a member and former councilman of Muddy Creek Evangelical Lutheran Church, Swartzville, Lancaster County. Rutt retired in 1990 after over 40 years with the former Sperry-New Holland, now CNH, New Holland, Lancaster County, where he last served as Supervisor of Quality Control. He was the president of his 1947 graduating class of East Cocalico High School, Reamstown. Clair had been a former Boy Scout Leader with the troop sponsored by his church, a member of the Reamstown Memorial Park Association, and the East Cocalico Lions Club of Reamstown. He was an avid horse lover and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Surviving in addition to his wife are 5 sons, Clair Lee Rutt, Denver, PA; John R. Rutt, Stevens, PA; Robert A., marriage to Angela R. (Buchter) Rutt, Stevens, PA; Larry D., marriage to Jane E. (Ackerman) Rutt, Denver, PA; and Neil D., marriage to Carol (Johnson) Rutt, Chandler, Arizona; and 9 grandchildren.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday morning, December 10, 2003, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM from our funeral home. The ceremony will begin at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in Muddy Creek Cemetery, Swartzville, Lancaster County, PA.
Rather than flowers, please remember Clair with contributions to his church:
Muddy Creek Evangelical Lutheran Church, 11 South Muddy Creek Road, Denver, PA 17517
Fannie R. Sandoe
June 18, 1923 - August 13, 2004
Fannie R. Sandoe, 81, of 1167 Landis Road, Ephrata, (East Cocalico Township), Lancaster County, died Friday morning at 6:50 AM in The Zerbe Sisters Nursing Center, Inc., Narvon, Lancaster County, where she resided since June 3, 2004. Born in West Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, she was a daughter of the late John C. and Ellen (Rock) Leed. Her husband, Lester B. Sandoe, died July 1, 1995. She was a member of Swamp United Church of Christ, Reinholds, Lancaster County. Fannie was employed as a sewing machine operator for 10 years at the former Walter W. Moyer, Inc., Ephrata, and had also worked at Beauty Blouse, Ephrata, and New Holland Lingerie. She enjoyed playing bingo and cards and watching television. Surviving are 3 sisters, Anna (Leed) Hepner, Sale Creek, Tennessee; Ida (Leed) Hanna, Ephrata, with whom she last resided; and Barbara (Leed), marriage to Gerald P. Werner, Reinholds, PA; and 3 brothers, Madison R. Leed, Barton R. Leed, and Samuel R., marriage to Joan (Balthaser) Leed, all of Reinholds, PA. A son, Ronald Sandoe, and a sister, Grace Mountz, preceded her in death.
A graveside inurnment service will be held to honor Fannie's life on Tuesday afternoon, August 17, 2004, at 4:00 PM, from Swamp Cemetery, Reinholds, Lancaster County, with Chaplain Wesley Mast officiating.
Kindly omit flowers, however, you may remember Fannie with contributions to Hospice of Lancaster County, Post Office Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.
Thomas M. Sanford
January 9, 1921 - November 16, 2001
Thomas M. Sanford, 80, of 16 Brian Court, Stevens, died at 11:30 AM on Friday in Ephrata Community Hospital where he was admitted earlier in the day. Born in Philadelphia he was a son of the late William and Elizabeth Sanford, and was the husband of Edna (Schroeder) Sanford for 53 years on November 6th. He was a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor and had served as a Navy Veteran during World War II on the USS Detroit which earned six battle stars. Also served on the USS Iowa and the USS New York. He was a member of the American Legion and the Pearl Harbor Survivors Oganization, where he served the group as secretary, past president, vice president and treasurer. Sanford was a stationery steam engineer for the Philadelphia Electric Company for 32 years, retiring in 1979. Graduated in 1939 from North Catholic High School of Philadelphia. Surviving in addition to his wife are twin daughters, Linda M. Sanford, Philadelphia; and Carol A., wife of James Cesari, Drexel Hill; and 5 grandchildren.
Thomas' viewing will be held from our parlor on Tuesday, November 20, 2001, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM with the service beginning at 1:00 PM, The Reverend Jeffrey K. Lott officiating.
Burial to follow in Pleasant View Cemetery, Sinking Spring, Berks County, PA, with military honors.
Jane L. Schaeffer
Nov. 3, 1945 - July 23, 2001
Loving Mother & Grandmother
Jane L. Schaeffer, age 55, of 1125 Pfeiffer Hill Road, Stevens, Lancaster County, died Monday afternoon at 3:00 PM in the Ephrata Community Hospital, Ephrata, Lancaster County, where she was admitted on Sunday evening. Born in Ephrata, she was a daughter of the late C. William and Margaret Mae (Haws) Clark. She attended the Lancaster First Church of God. Mrs. Schaeffer was employed by Skip’s Cutting at their Denver Location as a sewing machine mechanic and inspector. Surviving is a son, C. Scott, husband of Sandra A. (Longsderff) Schaeffer, Ephrata; 2 grandsons; a sister, Ruth D., wife of Harvey E. Reich; and a brother, William L., husband of Patricia J. (Musser) Clark, both of Stevens.
The funeral ceremony will be held on Friday, July 27, 2001, at 10:00 AM from our parlor with Pastor Donald G. Burial will take place in Salem Union Cemetery, Reamstown.
Flowers will be received and contributions may be sent in Jane's memory to the American Cancer Society, 314 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603.
Vera M. Scharer
April 10, 1919 - December 12, 2004
Vera M. Scharer, 85, 24 Tanglewood Drive, Cream Ridge, New Jersey, died Sunday at 1:10 PM in the home of her son, John. She was under the care of Hospice of Lancaster County. Born in St. Lamberts, Quebec Province, Canada, she was a daughter of the late Fred and Jesse (James) Cartledge. Her husband, Francis A. Scharer, died in 1988. Vera was a member of Incarnation Roman Catholic Church, Trenton, New Jersey. A graduate of Trenton High School, she graduated in 1939 from the St. Francis School of Nursing, Trenton. Vera was a registered nurse for over 35 years at St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center, Trenton. Surviving are 2 sons, John F. Scharer, Narvon, Lancaster County, PA; and Gerald A., husband of Gloria (Pogorzelski) Scharer, Macungie, PA; 2 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. All details will be handled privately by the family.
Clifford N. Schlegel
May 31, 1928 - December 1, 2003
Clifford N. Schlegel, 75, of 19 Spruce Street, Ephrata, Lancaster County, died Monday morning at 10:45 AM in the Essa Flory Hospice Center, East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County, where he was a guest for one day. Born in Reamstown, Lancaster County, he was a son of the late George L. and Nora L. (Wolfskill) Schlegel, and was the husband of Joann L. (Lesher) Schlegel for 49 years on May 15, 2003. He was a member of Bethany United Church of Christ, Ephrata, where he sang in the choir for many years. Schlegel retired in 1990 after 46 years with Sperry New Holland, now CNH, in the accounting department. He was a sergeant in the Army during the Korean War and was a member of the Ephrata VFW and American Legion. Clifford was a member of the Ephrata Lions Club, a former secretary of the Trout Run Hunting Club and he enjoyed crossword puzzles, dancing and going out to eat. Surviving in addition to his wife is a daughter, Debra F. Schlegel, Royersford, Montgomery County, PA; 2 sons, Robin L., marriage to Michelle (Olein) Schlegel, Lititz, PA; and Nevin Lee, marriage to Carla (Garman) Schlegel, Denver, PA; and 5 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, Norine Royer, and 4 brothers, John, Edgar, Arlington and Floyd Schlegel.
A viewing will be held on Thursday evening, December 4, 2003, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM from our funeral home.
The ceremony celebrating Clifford's life will be held on Friday morning, December 5, 2003, at 10:30M with his pastor, The Reverend Mark J. Johnson, officiating in Bethany United Church of Christ, 140 East Main Street, Ephrata, PA 17522. Burial will follow in Bethany Cemetery, Ephrata Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
The family asks that, rather than flowers, please remember Clifford with contributions to his church (address above) or to Hospice of Lancaster County, Post Office Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.
