Elsie L. Brenner
[Published October 8, 1999]
Elsie L. Brenner, 95, formerly of 184 W. Green St., died Wednesday at 3:58 p.m. in the Reading Hospital emergency room.
She was taken to the hospital from ManorCare Health Services Inc., West Reading, where she had resided since January 1996.
Born in Reading, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Lizzi (Dersch) Brenner.
Brenner was last employed as a bookkeeper.
She was a graduate of Reading High School for Girls and the Interstate Commercial Business School, Reading.
Brenner was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Reading.
Surviving is a sister, Anna E. Brenner, Wyomissing.
Services will be Monday at 11 a.m. in Henninger Funeral Home Inc. Burial will be in Charles Evans Cemetery.
Jeffrey M. Sommer
[Published October 8, 1999]
Jeffrey M. Sommer, 43, formerly of Pottsville, died Wednesday night in his residence at 607 Pine Hll, Minersville, Schuylkill County.
Schuylkill County Forensic Pathologist Dr. Richard P. Bindie said Sommer committed suicide by hanging himself in his apartment. Sommer was pronounced dead at 8:35 p.m. by Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Paul Vuksta.
Born in Pottsville, he was a son of the late James A. and Winifred F. (Hipp) Sommer.
Sommer was employed as a mechanic by Bertolet Volkswagen, Orwigsburg.
He was a bass player in the Bad Habit Band, Schuylkill County.
Surviving are a brother, Scott, Long Island, N.Y.; and three sisters: Pamela K. Darcangelo, St. Clair, Schuylkill County; Casey Slegel, Reading; and Tracie Sommer-Lord, Pottsville.
Services will be Monday at 11 a.m. in the Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, St. Clair. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Pottsville.
Roger L. Sherer Sr.
[Published October 8, 1999]
Roger L. Sherer Sr., 59, of Kunkletown R.D. 1, Monroe County, died of natural causes Wednesday night in Gnaden Huetten Hospital, Lehighton, Carbon County.
He was the husband of Nancy B. (Andrews) Sherer.
Born in Palmerton, Carbon County, he was a son of the late Granville G. and Helen E. (Bruch) Sherer.
Sherer had been employed 10 years as a construction worker by Clark George, Kunkletown R.D. 1, and as a self-employed contractor for 10 years. He was employed for the past 23 years as plant manager by Mid-Atlantic Canners, Hamburg.
He was a member of Jerusalem United Church of Christ, Trachsville, Monroe County.
Sherer was a volunteer campground host at Hickory Run State Park for the past three years.
He was an Army veteran.
Sherer is also survived by two sons, Roger L. Jr., Kunkletown R.D. 1, and David, Muncy, Lycoming County; and a daughter, Cinda (Sherer) Nothstein, Kresgeville, Monroe County.
Other survivors include two sisters, Linda Serfass, Brodheadsville, Monroe County, and Debra Smith, Kunkletown R.D. 1.
Also surviving are two half brothers, Willard Sherer, Palmerton, and Elwood Sherer, Kresgeville; and a half sister, Alma Ronemus, Nesquehoning, Carbon County.
There are also three grandchildren.
Services will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in William H. Kresge Funeral Home Inc., Brodheadsville. Burial will be in Dotters Corner Cemetery, Kunkletown R.D. 1.
Pauline N. Kintz
[Published October 8, 1999]
Pauline N. Kintz, 87, of 701 E. Locust St., Fleetwood, was dead on arrival Wednesday at 10:09 p.m. in Reading Hospital.
Her husband, George E. Kintz, died March 20, 1966.
Born in Richmond Township, she was a daughter of the late Nelson and Erma (Haas) Bossler.
Kintz had been employed by Textile Machine Works, Wyomissing, retiring in 1972.
She was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Fleetwood.
Surviving are a son, Richard T., Fleetwood; and a daughter, Janice K. (Kintz) Lenhart, Mertztown.
Other survivors include two half sisters, Hedy Bossler, Blandon, and Anna M. (Bossler) Heckman, Reading.
There are also four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by a son, Harold L. Kintz.
Services will be Saturday at 1 p.m. in Walter R. Christ Funeral Home Inc., Laureldale. Burial will be in St. Paul's Union Cemetery, Fleetwood.
C. Brooke Wade
[Published October 8, 1999]
C. Brooke Wade, 76, who died Wednesday at 11 a.m. in his residence at 239 Hopewell Road, Elverson, is survived by a daughter, Cindi Carrell, Hurst, Texas.
Memorial services will be Saturday at 3 p.m. in Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall, Pottstown. Burial will be private. John P. Feeney Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Estelle A. Binasiewicz
Estelle A. Binasiewicz, 83, formerly of 400 Upland Ave., Millmont, died Wednesday at 10 p.m. in Spruce Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, West Reading, where she had resided since Jan. 30, 1996.
Her husband, Edward Binasiewicz, died July 11, 1990.
Born in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Frances (Ligaco) Rzymski.
Binasiewicz was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, Millmont.
Surviving are a sister, Wanda (Rzymski) Orzechowski, Millmont; and a nephew.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 9 a.m. in Gethsemane Cemetery Chapel of the Resurrection, Laureldale. Entombment will be in the Gethsemane Cemetery Mausoleum. Kopicki-Bradley Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Helen M. Reidenhour
[Published October 8, 1999]
Helen Mae Reidenhour, 86, of 58 W. Wesner Road, Blandon, died Wednesday at 3:35 p.m. in Kutztown Manor Inc., where she had resided since July 1.
Her husband, Harvey E. Reidenhour, died Oct. 26, 1955.
Born in Kutztown, she was a daughter of the late Peter and Carrie (Reinhard) Meitzler.
Reidenhour was a member of the Spring Valley Church of God, Muhlenberg Township.
Surviving are a son, Paul J., Kutztown; and a daughter, Mary J. (Reidenhour) Himmelberger, Blandon.
Other survivors include 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by two sons, LeRoy C. and Harvey E. Reidenhour, and a daughter, Betty M. (Reidenhour) Swan.
Services will be Monday at 2 p.m. in Ludwick Funeral Homes Inc., Kutztown. Burial will be in Hope Cemetery, Kutztown.
Hannah N. Delp
[Published October 8, 1999]
Hannah N. Delp, 86, a resident of Harleysville, Montgomery County, since 1965, formerly of Skippack, Montgomery County, died early Thursday morning in North Penn Hospital, Lansdale, Montgomery County.
Her husband, Norman M. Delp, died in 1984.
Born in Harleysville, she was a daughter of the late John W. and Lizzie (Derstine) Nyce.
Delp had been employed for several years as an assembler by the Ford Electronics & Refrigeration Corp., Lansdale, until 1981. She was later employed for 10 years as a part-time sales clerk by Godshall & Delp Meats at the Ardmore Farmer's Market, Montgomery County.
She was a member of the Methacton Mennonite Church, Fairview Village, Montgomery County.
Surviving are two daughters, Doris D. (Delp) Dougherty, Wayne, Delaware County, and Dianne D. (Delp) Heverly, Phoenixville; and two sons: Dale N., Harleysville, and David N., Boyertown.
Other survivors include four sisters: Elmira (Nyce) Henning, Kulpsville, Montgomery County; Mary (Nyce) Hunsberger, Souderton, Montgomery County; Lizzie Derstine, Franconia, Montgomery County; and Arlene (Nyce) Clemmer, Harleysville.
There are also 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Services will be Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Methacton Mennonite Church. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery. The Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, Lansdale, is in charge of arrangements.
Edgar E. McKnight Sr.
[Published October 8, 1999]
Edgar E. McKnight Sr., 59, died of natural causes Tuesday at 7:13 p.m. in his residence at 154 Elm St.
Born in Itta Bena, Miss., he was a son of the late John H. and Druecilla (Warren) McKnight.
McKnight was employed as a laborer by Dick Brothers Inc., Reading, until the closing of the firm closing in 1988.
McKnight, who resided with Nancy E. Heck, is survived by two sons, Edgar E. McKnight Jr., Anaheim, Calif., and Jonathan Smith, Reading; and four daughters: Kim McKnight-Jimenez, Tanya R. McKnight and Helen Snyder, all of Reading; and Bennette McKnight, San Diego.
Other survivors include a brother, Drew Walton, Reading; and four grandchildren.
Services will be Monday at 11 a.m. in Union Baptist Church, Reading. Burial will be in Forest Hills Memorial Park, Reiffton. The Stokes Stitt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Virginia B. Smith
[Published October 8, 1999]
Virginia B. Smith, 85, of B'nai B'rith Apartments, 1026 Franklin St., died Wednesday at 4:20 p.m. in Reading Hospital, where she had been a patient since Sept. 20.
Born in Reading, she was a daughter of the late Paul and Hattie (Zielenski) Bialy.
Smith was employed for many years as a trimmer by Wide Awake Shirt Co., Reading, until her retirement.
She was a member of St. Anthony Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church, Reading.
Surviving are a sister, Mary F. (Bialy) Dillon, Reading; and a granddaughter.
She was predeceased by a daughter, Patricia A. (Smith) Quinter.
Funeral services will be Monday at 9 a.m. in Gallman Funeral Home Inc. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. in St. Anthony Lithuanian Church. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Reading.
William H. AsBerry
[Published October 8, 1999]
William H. AsBerry, 75, of 816 S. 13th St., Philadelphia, formerly of 215 S. Second St., died Wednesday night in St. Vitas Hospice in St. Agnes Hospital, Philadelphia, where he had been a patient since Sept. 28.
His wife, Naomi (Williams) AsBerry, died in 1998.
Born in West Reading, he was a son of the late Sumpter and Earlie M. (Wingate) AsBerry.
AsBerry was employed for many years as a welder by Mat-Pro Corp., Lansdale, Montgomery County, until retiring.
He was a member of the Second Macedonian Baptist Church, Philadelphia.
Surviving are two sisters, Grace (AsBerry) Jones, Exeter Township, and Josephine (AsBerry) Patience, Pottstown; and three brothers: James L., Houston; Richard J., Dallas; and Luther C., Reading.
Services will be Monday at 10 a.m. in Second Macedonian Baptist Church. Burial will be in Forest Hills Memorial Park, Reiffton. The Auman Funeral Home, Reading, is in charge of arrangements.
Christopher W. Bacon
[Published October 8, 1999]
Services for Christopher W. Bacon, 22, of San Diego, formerly of Reading, will be arranged by Whelan, Fleischmann & Schwartz Funeral Homes Inc., Exeter Township.
Bacon died Tuesday, a day after he was involved in a one-vehicle accident on the parking lot of Parkway Plaza Mall in El Cajon, Calif., a suburb of San Diego, according to officials from the San Diego Medical Examiner's office.
He was pronounced dead Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. in Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, officials said. An autopsy was planned for today but officials said it appeared he died from injuries suffered in the crash.
He was the husband of Crystal Bacon.
Born in Reading, he was a son of Harold W. Bacon, Birdsboro, and Lois (Epler) Perri, West Lawn.
Bacon enlisted in the Navy in November 1996, and was a boatswain's mate third class, serving on the USS Denver based at San Diego.
He was a 1996 graduate of Wilson High School.
Bacon is also survived by a half sister, Kelly L. (Bacon) Moore, Reading; and four half brothers: Shawn Perri, West Lawn; Michael E. Bacon, serving with the Navy at Groton, Conn.; Mark E. Bacon, Virginia Beach, Va.; and Harold W. Bacon Jr., Reading.
Other survivors include his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Epler, Wyomissing; his stepfather, Joseph Perri, West Lawn; and his stepmother, Barbara B. (Smolinski) Bacon, Birdsboro.
John Ketz
[Published November 18, 1999]
John Ketz, 92, of 2 Woodbridge Road, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, formerly of New Ringgold R.D. 3, Schuylkill County, died Tuesday at 11:50 p.m. in Pinebrook Personal Care Center, Orwigsburg.
His wife, Mildred E. (Koch) Ketz, died May 13, 1998.
Born in Coaldale, Schuylkill County, he was a son of the late John and Nancy (Sauda) Ketz.
Ketz was employed as a clerk in the Schuylkill County recorder of deeds office, Pottsville, until his retirement.
He was a member of Frieden's Lutheran Church, New Ringgold.
Ketz played on professional basketball and football teams in the Coaldale area.
He was a graduate of Coaldale High School.
Surviving are three sons: Gordon and Richard, both of New Ringgold; and Philip, Leesport.
Other survivors include four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be private. Burial will be in Frieden's Lutheran Cemetery, New Ringgold. Hamilton Funeral Home Inc., Orwigsburg, is in charge of arrangements.
Elmer A. Koch
[Published November 18, 1999]
Elmer A. Koch, 91, of Old Schuylkill Road, East Coventry Township, Chester County, died Tuesday afternoon in Pottstown Medical Center.
His wife, Frances (Lawrence) Koch, died in 1984.
Born in Caernarvon Township, Lancaster County, he was a son of the late George B. and Minnie (Adair) Koch.
Koch had been employed as a farmer in Pottstown and was last employed as a janitor by the Owen J. Roberts High School, Bucktown, Chester County, retiring in 1974.
He was a member of St. John's (Center) Lutheran Church, East Earl, Lancaster County.
Surviving are a brother, Lloyd, Birdsboro; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by a son, James E. Koch.
Services will be Friday at 10 a.m. in the Eckenroth Home for Funerals, Terre Hill, Lancaster County. Burial will be in Center Union Cemetery, East Earl.
Earl E. Killian
[Published November 18, 1999]
Earl E. Killian, 77, of 11 Finch St., Willow Lake, Schuylkill County, died Tuesday night in Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville, where he had been a patient one day.
He was the husband of Mary A. (Kubla) Killian.
Born in North Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, he was a son of the late Joseph E. Killian and Helen (Roeder) Killian Reber.
Killian was employed for 40 years by the Price Battery Co., Hamburg, retiring in 1982.
He was a 1941 graduate of Schuylkill Haven High School.
Killian was a member of First United Church of Christ, Schuylkill Haven.
He is also survived by a daughter, Sandra L. (Killian) Golca, Willow Lake.
Other survivors include two sisters, Dorothy (Killian) Lewis, Pottsville, and Helen (Killian) Koperna, Schuylkill Haven; and a half brother, Harold Ney, Elkton, Md.
There are also five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Services will be private. Burial will be in Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home Inc., Schuylkill Haven, is in charge of arrangements.
