Leona M. Maurer
[Published November 27, 1999]
Leona M. Maurer, former city flower shop owner, died Thursday at 10:20 a.m. in Reading Hospital, where she had been a patient since Nov. 18.
Maurer, 77, of 85 Moravian School Road, Oley Township, was predeceased by her husband, Ralph D Maurer, in November 1973.
She owned Wentzel's Flower Shop for 20 years until retiring in 1985. The shop had been in operation since 1943 when her parents founded it.
Born in Shillington, she was a daughter of the late Howard D. and Ethel M. (Houghton) Wentzel.
Maurer was a member of Frieden's United Church of Christ, Oley.
Surviving is a son, Ralph D., Reading.
Other survivors include a sister, Ruth B. (Wentzel) Fleischmann, Whitfield.
There are also three grandchildren and a great-grandson.
Services will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Whelan, Fleischmann & Schwartz Funeral Home Inc., Exeter Township. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Spring Township.
Mildred Sebastian
[Published November 27, 1999]
Mildred G. Sebastian, founder of a city business, died Friday at 2:33 a.m. in her Leesport R.D. 1, Bern Township, residence.
Sebastian, 76, was the wife of Peter T. Sebastian.
She and her husband founded Delaware Valley Safeguards Co., Reading, in 1958, retiring as corporate secretary in 1985.
Born in Reading, she was a daughter of the late Francis T. and Rose A. (Tomaszewski) Gieringer.
Sebastian was a member of Holy Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Church, Hyde Park.
She was a former treasurer and past board member of the Berks County Art Alliance.
Sebastian was a former treasurer of the Woman's Club of Leesport.
She was a 1941 graduate of Reading High School.
She is also survived by three sons: Thomas V., Wyomissing; Richard M., Hilton Head, S.C.; and Dr. Peter R., Salisbury, Md.
Other survivors include a brother, Francis T. Gieringer Jr., Portland, Maine, and nine grandchildren.
Services will be Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in Bean Funeral Home Inc., Reading. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. in Holy Guardian Angels Church. Entombment will be in Gethsemane Cemetery Mausoleum, Laureldale.
Helene J. MacDonald
[Published November 27, 1999]
Helene J. MacDonald, 82, formerly of Conyers, Ga., and Camp Hill, Cumberland County, died Tuesday in her residence at the Wynnewood at Wyomissing apartments, Wyomissing.
She was the wife of John A. MacDonald.
Born in Dauphin, Dauphin County, she was a daughter of the late Joseph S. and Anna (Gordon) Saylor.
MacDonald was employed as an antique salesperson.
She is also survived by a daughter, Barbara A. (Loomis) Brotherton, San Rafael, Calif., and three sons: George H. Loomis, Sayre, Bradford County; and John J. and Michael Loomis, both of Wyomissing.
Other survivors include a sister, Rosemarie (Saylor) Teter, Hummelstown, Dauphin County.
There are also 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be Monday at 1 p.m. in Holy Cross Cemetery, Lebanon. The Buse Funeral Home, Hummelstown, is in charge of arrangements.
Floyd M. Zeiginfus
[Published November 27, 1999]
Floyd M. Zeiginfus, 87, died Monday morning in his Federalsburg, Md., residence.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, he was a son of the late John F. and Nora T. (Bare) Zeigenfus.
Zeiginfus was employed 30 years as a farm equipment mechanic by Worm Brothers, Preston, Md., retiring in 1987.
Surviving are several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were Friday in Union Cemetery, Boyertown. The C.L. Losh Funeral Home, Boyertown, was in charge of arrangements.
Clement H. VanPelt
[Published November 27, 1999]
Clement H. VanPelt, 80, of Mohnton R.D. 2, Brecknock Township, died Friday in ManorCare Health Services Inc., Spring Township.
He was the husband of Mary VanPelt.
Born in Gibraltar, he was a son of the late Howard and Rose (Kurtz) VanPelt.
VanPelt was employed 38 years by Continental Can Co., retiring in 1981.
He was an Army veteran of World War II.
VanPelt was a member of St. Stephen Polish Catholic Church, Cumru Township.
He is also survived by two brothers, Carl and Paul, both of Birdsboro, and a sister, Edna (VanPelt) Berkhart, Shillington.
Services will be Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the Auman Funeral Home, Reading. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery, Laureldale.
Gladys E. Hiller
[Published November 27, 1999]
Gladys E. Hiller, 80, of 1420 Mount Laurel Road, Alsace Township, died Friday at 10:45 a.m. in St. Joseph Medical Center, where she had been a patient since Nov. 19.
Her husband, Morris E. Hiller Sr., died Jan. 2, 1998.
Born in Longswamp Township, she was a daughter of the late Harry R. and Alice J. (Meck) Werst.
Hiller was employed 23 years as a sewing machine operator by Temple Apparel, retiring in 1979.
She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Lobachsville.
Surviving are a son, M. Earl Jr., Reading, and a daughter, Susan, A. (Hiller) Brown, Blandon.
Other survivors include a sister, Alverta (Werst) Schuler, Hereford.
There are also four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in Ludwick Funeral Homes Inc., Topton. Burial will be in Longswamp Union Cemetery, Mertztown.
Leon D. Hinnershitz
[Published November 27, 1999]
Leon D. Hinnershitz, 90, of 5025 Kutztown Road, Temple, died Friday at 10:45 a.m. in ManorCare Health Services Inc., Muhlenberg Township, where he had resided since Aug. 12.
His wife, Verna E. (Hein) Hinnershitz, died May 13, 1972.
Born in Muhlenberg Township, he was a son of the late Irvin and Lizzie (Gehris) Hinnershitz.
Hinnershitz had been employed for many years as a mechanic by Berks Products Corp., Muhlenberg Township, and was last employed by Oley Township, retiring in 1973.
He was a member of Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, Tuckerton.
Hinnershitz was a life member of Temple Fire Company and AAA of Reading and Berks County, Wyomissing.
Surviving are a son, Lester L., Temple, and a daughter, Edna F. (Hinnershitz) Weidner, Muhlenberg Park.
Other survivors include a sister, Emma (Hinnershitz) Berk, Laureldale.
There are also two grandsons and four great-grandchildren.
Services will be Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in Milkins Funeral Home Inc., Temple. Burial will be in Good Shepherd Cemetery, Tuckerton.
Lane B. Kreider
[Published November 27, 1999]
Lane B. Kreider, 40, died of natural causes Tuesday in his Douglass Township, Montgomery County, residence, following a long illness.
He was the husband of Maureen A. (McCloud) Kreider.
Born in Pottstown, he was a son of Leroy E. Kreider Jr., North Coventry Township, Chester County, and Sarah P. (Mayworth) Petroski, Elverson, Chester County.
Kreider was employed as a machinist by Carpenter Technology Corp., retiring in January. He had previously been employed by Rahns Specialty Metals, Perkiomen Township, Montgomery County.
He is also survived by two daughters, Rachel Kreider, Pottstown, and Cara Kreider, North Coventry Township, and a stepson, Benjamin Seward, Douglass Township, Montgomery County.
Other survivors include two brothers, Leroy E. III, Middleboro, Mass., and Lance N., Barto, and two sisters: Sherry L. (Kreider) Erb, North Coventry Township, and Heidi J. Kreider, Amity Gardens.
There are also a half brother, Francis R. Petroski, Lower Pottsgrove Township, Montgomery County, a stepbrother, Richard Golden, Pottsgrove Manor, Montgomery County, and a stepsister, Laura Golden, Birdsboro.
Services will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Holcombe Funeral Home Inc., Trappe, Montgomery County. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Spring Township.
Margaret E. Dentith
[Published November 27, 1999]
Margaret E. Peg" Dentith, 86, died Friday at 9:15 a.m. in her residence at 3616 Patton St., St. Lawrence.
Her husband, Charles Dentith, died Feb. 14, 1970.
Born in Camden, N.J., she was a daughter of the late Harry and Anna K. (Kayser) Lennox.
A 1929 graduate of Collingswood (N.J.) High School, Dentith attended West Jersey Hospital School of Nursing, Camden, N.J., and Homeopathic Hospital School of Nursing, Reading.
Surviving is a daughter, Patricia A. Dentith, Reading.
Other survivors include two grandsons and a great-granddaughter.
She was predeceased by a son, Charles Dentith IV.
Services will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Milkins Funeral Home Inc., Temple. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery, Laureldale. Milkins Funeral Home Inc., Temple, is in charge of arrangements.
Francine M. Hamilton
[Published November 27, 1999]
Francine M. Hamilton, 53, died of natural causes Wednesday at 9:56 p.m. in her residence at 120 S. Sixth St.
She was the wife of Robert C. Hamilton Sr., Upper Darby, Delaware County.
Born in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of Katherine E. (Greaser) Brown, Philadelphia, and the late Charles T. Brown.
Hamilton had been employed as a licensed practical nurse until retiring.
She is also survived by a son, Robert C. Jr., and two daughters: Katherine F. and Kimberly L. Hamilton, all of Upper Darby, .
Other survivors include a brother, John C. Brown, Philadelphia, and a sister, Barbara E. (Brown) Reeves, in California.
There are also two grandchildren.
Services and burial will be private. Gallman Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Irene Y. Boyer
[Published November 27, 1999]
Irene Y. Boyer, 82, of 8 Lantern Ave., Myerstown, died Friday at 5 a.m. in Spang Crest Manor, Lebanon.
She was the wife of Warren L. Boyer.
Born in Bethel, she was a daughter of the late Harry and Sallie (Sholly) Yiengst.
Boyer was employed as an accounting clerk by Cameron Station, Alexandria, Va., until retiring. She had been employed in the machine shop of Olmstead Air Force Base, Middletown, Dauphin County, during World War II.
She is also survived by a sister, Almeda L. (Yiengst) Merkey, Myerstown.
Services will be Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in Christman's Funeral Home Inc., Lebanon. Burial will be in Zion (Goshert's) United Church of Christ, Cemetery, Lebanon.
Margaret Postupak
[Published November 27, 1999]
Margaret Postupak, 81, died Thursday in ManorCare Health Services Inc., Bethlehem.
She was the wife of Metro Postupak, Bethlehem.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was a daughter of the late Michael and Mary (Rice) Bodock.
Postupak was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Bethlehem.
She is also survived by two sons, Larry, Hamburg, and Bob, Allentown.
Other survivors include a brother, Michael Bodock, Bethlehem.
There are also five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Panachida will be Monday at 9 a.m. in Connell Funeral Home Inc., Bethlehem. A Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10 a.m. in SS. Peter and Paul Church. Burial will be in Postupak Family Cemetery, Weatherly, Carbon County.
Martin M. Murphy
[Published November 27, 1999]
Martin M. Murphy, 83, died Tuesday in his residence at 867 Hilltop Road, New Berlinville.
He was the husband of Faye I. (Unger) Murphy.
Born in Phoenixville, he was a son of the late Thomas and Bridgit (Kilroy) Murphy.
Murphy was employed 36 years by Spicer Universal Joint Division of Dana Corp., Pottstown, retiring in 1973. He also operated Corona Farms, Limerick Township, Montgomery County, for many years.
He was an Army veteran of World War II.
Murphy was a graduate of the Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, N.Y.
He is also survived by a son, Michael A., Philadelphia, and two daughters: Maureen D. Murphy, North Wales, Montgomery County, and Patricia M. Murphy, Philadelphia.
Other survivors include two granddaughters.
Services will be Monday at 10 a.m. in Catagnus Funeral Home Inc., Gilbertsville. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Boyertown.
Lulu P. Slider
[Published November 27, 1999]
Lulu P. Slider, 86, of 20 Green Acres Road, Greenwich Township, died Thursday at 2:15 p.m. in Reading Hospital, where she had been a patient for three days.
Her husband, C. Harry Slider, died Oct. 11, 1996.
Born in Fleetwood, she was a daughter of the late Charles M. and Jennie E. (Price) Kieffer.
Slider was employed 15 years as a pasterer by Permanent Sign and Display Co., retiring in the mid 1960s.
She was a member of New Jerusalem Zion United Church of Christ, Lenhartsville.
Surviving is a daughter, Gloria J. (Slider) Noll, at home.
Other survivors include a brother, James P. Kieffer, Reading, and two sisters: Pearl G. (Kieffer) Ohlinger, Fleetwood, and Julia B. (Kieffer) Reinert, Sinking Spring.
There are also four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by a son, Charles H. Slider Jr., in 1995.
Services will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. in Ludwick Funeral Homes Inc., Kutztown. Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Spring City, Chester County.
Dorothy C.B. Graeff
[Published November 27, 1999]
Dorothy C. Brown Graeff, 83, of 275 Sweitzer Road, Lower Heidelberg Township, died Thursday in Berks Heim, where she had resided for more than a year.
She was the wife of Melvin E. Graeff. Her first husband, Harold G. Brown, died in September 1976.
Born in Reading, she was a daughter of the late William and Helen (Collinger) Yost.
Graeff was employed 20 years as a custodian by Rothermel & Rothermel, Reading, retiring in 1975.
She is also survived by a son, Harold L. Brown, and a daughter, Carole L. (Brown) Wolf, both of Reading.
Other survivors include three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Forest Hills Memorial Park, Reiffton. John P. Feeney Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
