Ruth E. Stoudt
[Published October 18, 2000]
Ruth E. Stoudt, 86, formerly of 1436 New Holland Road, Kenhorst, died Tuesday at 6 p.m. in South Mountain Restoration Center, Franklin County, where she had resided since Jan. 20, 1999.
Her husband, George S. Stoudt, died June 24, 1991.
Born in Reading, she was a daughter of the late Howard R. and Katie (Rothenberger) Burkey.
Stoudt had been employed as a seamstress by Reading Sportswear Co., and was last employed as a machine operator by Maier's Bakery until her retirement.
Surviving are several nieces and nephews.
Whelan, Fleischmann & Schwartz Funeral Homes Inc., Exeter Township, is in charge of arrangements.
Rosemarie Holderman
[Published October 18, 2000]
Rosemarie Holderman, 31, of 115 W. Oley St. died of natural causes Tuesday at 5:57 a.m. in the Reading Hospital emergency room.
Born in West Reading, she was a daughter of Juan E. Garcia, with whom she resided, and Mary R. Holderman, Reading.
Holderman was a member of St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, Reading.
She is also survived by a son, Juan J. Rivera, at home.
Other survivors include a sister, Jeanette Holderman, and a brother, John E. Holderman, both of Reading.
There are also her paternal grandmother, Isolina Garcia, Villalba, Puerto Rico; and her maternal grandmother, Mary (Holderman) Petruce, Hazleton.
Services will be Friday at 9:30 a.m. in Francis F. Seidel Inc. Funeral Home. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery, Laureldale.
Theresa Milia
[Published October 18, 2000]
Theresa Milia, 89, a resident of the Phoebe Berks Village, Wernersville, since 1994, formerly of West Lawn, died Tuesday afternoon in Phoebe Berks Health Care Center, Wernersville, where she had resided since Dec. 6.
Her husband, Samuel Milia, died Dec. 6, 1977.
Born in Reading, she was a daughter of the late Francesco and Maria (Torcivia) Elmo.
Milia was employed for 10 years as a seamstress by David Crystal Inc., retiring in 1966.
She was a member of St. Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church, Whitfield.
Surviving are a daughter, Marie J. (Milia) Ibach, Kenhorst, and a son, John S., Wernersville.
Other survivors include six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 9 a.m. in St. Ignatius Loyola Church. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery, Laureldale. The Auman Funeral Home, Reading, is in charge of arrangements.
Arnold G. Lassiter
[Published October 18, 2000]
Arnold G. Lassiter, 65, of 1332 Buttonwood St., formerly of Enfield, N.C., died of natural causes Monday at 4:10 p.m. in Reading Hospital, where he had been a patient since Thursday.
He was predeceased by his wife, Sadie (Brockington) Lassiter.
Born in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late William G. and Lucy (Knox) Lassiter.
Lassiter was employed for several years by the City of Philadelphia Sanitation Department until his retirement.
He was a member of the Greater Saints Chapel Baptist Church, Enfield, where he was a choir member.
Lassiter was an Army veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Surviving are a daughter, Bernice K. Hines, Reading; two stepsons, Robert and William Hines, and three stepdaughters: Lynda and Catherine Hines and Renee Scott, all of Philadelphia.
Other survivors include two brothers, William and Melvin, both of Philadelphia; and five sisters: Mabel (Lassiter) Taylor, Stratford, Conn.; and Evelyn (Lassiter) Banks, Pauline (Lassiter) Jenkins, Catherine (Lassiter) Norcum and Miriam Lassiter, all of Philadelphia.
Services will be Friday at 2 p.m. in the Auman Funeral Home, Reading. Burial will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Lebanon County.
Edward Grimmer Sr.
[Published October 18, 2000]
Edward Grimmer Sr., 89, of 1707 Ramich Road, Muhlenberg Township, died Tuesday at 3 p.m. in St. Joseph Medical Center, where he had been admitted earlier in the day.
He was the husband of Helen M. (Zuber) Grimmer.
Born in Reading, he was a son of the late Albert and Anna (Wentzel) Grimmer.
Grimmer was employed for 27 years as an electrician by Teledyne Inc., Mohnton, retiring in 1976.
He was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church, Laureldale.
Grimmer is also survived by a son, Edward Grimmer Jr., Bernville; a stepson, William Swisher, Rochester, N.Y.; and a stepdaughter, Mary L. (Swisher) Hoffman, Muhlenberg Township.
Other survivors include two grandchildren, six stepgrandchildren, 12 stepgreat-grandchildren and a stepgreat-great-granddaughter.
John P. Feeney Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Edgar A. Burkert
[Published October 18, 2000]
Edgar A. "Bubbie" Burkert, 78, of Ontelaunee Township, Reading R.D. 2, died Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. in Reading Hospital, where he had been a patient since Monday.
He was the husband of Gladys M. (Mengle) Burkert.
Born in Maidencreek Township, he was a son of the late Charles E. and Helen (Yeager) Burkert.
Burkert was employed for 37 years by the Reading Co. and Conrail, retiring in 1982.
He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Perry Township.
Burkert was a life member of the Junior Fire Company, Reading.
He is also survived by a daughter, Linda L. (Burkert) Williams, Muhlenberg Township; and a granddaughter.
He was predeceased by a son, Donald Burkert, in 1963.
Services will be Friday at 1 p.m. in Leibensperger Funeral Homes Inc., Hamburg. Burial will be in Zion's Cemetery, Perry Township.
Joseph Staboleski, ex-professional baseball umpire
[Published November 9, 2000]
Joseph E. Staboleski, a former professional baseball umpire, died Sunday at 3:56 p.m. in his residence at 226 Chestnut St., Birdsboro.
Staboleski, 72, was a professional umpire in the Lebanon Valley Baseball "A" League for 30 years.
He also umpired Reading Phillies baseball games and for pro leagues in Nova Scotia.
Born in Reading, he was a son of the late Joseph E. Staboleski Sr. and Mildred (Deininger) Staboleski.
Staboleski was employed for 12 years as a truck driver by Quaker Maid Kitchens, Ontelaunee Township, retiring in 1988.
He was an Army veteran of World War II.
Staboleski was a member of St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, Reading.
Surviving are four sons: Joseph, Blandon; Dennis, Allentown; Thomas, Reading; and Jeffrey, Attica, N.Y.
Other survivors include four daughters: Jean A. Staboleski, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County; Candace (Staboleski) DeWald, Frackville, Schuylkill County; and Felicia and Kirsten Staboleski, both of Reading.
There are also 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be private in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Lebanon County. Bean Funeral Homes & Cremation Services Inc., Shillington, is in charge of arrangements.
John M. McCracken
[Published November 9, 2000]
John M. McCracken, 82, of 145 Aspen Ave., South Heidelberg Township, died Tuesday at 5:08 p.m. in Reading Hospital, where he had been a patient since Sept. 28.
He was taken to the hospital from ManorCare Health Services Inc., Muhlenberg Township, where he had resided since June 1999.
His wife, Louise E. (Cain) McCracken, died in June 1967.
Born in Josephine, Indiana County, he was a son of the late Clarence W. and Lila (Ayers) McCracken.
McCracken was employed for 37 years by Shenago Inc., Pittsburgh, retiring as a steel mill foreman.
He was a member of the Lincoln Park Community United Methodist Church.
Surviving are a son, Richard McCracken, in California; and two daughters, Laura (McCracken) Perry, with whom he had last resided, and Jacqueline (McCracken) Grauel, Mohnton.
Other survivors include two stepsons, Louis Gettel, McKees Rocks, Allegheny County, and William Gettel, in Florida.
Also surviving are two brothers, Harold, Mercer, Mercer County, and Donald, Sharpsville, Mercer County.
There are also 13 grandchildren and a great-grandson.
Memorial services will be Friday at 1 p.m. in Copeland Funeral Home, Coraopolis, Allegheny County, and Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Lincoln Park Community UM Church. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., West Reading, is in charge of local arrangements.
Earl H. Eckman Sr.
[Published November 9, 2000]
Earl H. "Shorty" Eckman Sr., 78, formerly of Ephrata and Reamstown, Lancaster County, died Wednesday at 12:20 p.m. in Lancashire Hall, Neffsville, Lancaster County, where he had resided since July 1998.
Born in Strasburg, Lancaster County, he was a son of the late Chester and Maud (Hersh) Eckman.
Eckman was employed for 48 years by Dorma Door Inc., Reamstown, retiring in 1988.
Surviving are two daughters, Sandra I. (Eckman) Shenk, Ephrata, with whom he last resided, and Debra E. (Eckman) Sweigart, Chesapeake, Va.; and three sons: Earl H. Jr., Willow Street, Lancaster County; Donald L. Sr., Denver, Lancaster County; and Marvin L., Lititz, Lancaster County.
Other survivors include a sister, Martha (Eckman) Harkins, Pequea, Lancaster County; and three brothers: John H., Bedford County; Oswell H., Lancaster; and Roy H., Conestoga, Lancaster County.
There are also eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Services will be Monday at 11 a.m. in Good Funeral Home & Cremation Centre Inc., Reamstown. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Memorial Park, East Cocalico Township, Lancaster County.
Dr. James N. Bierly
[Published November 9, 2000]
Dr. James N. Bierly, 78, of Williamsburg, Va., formerly of Kutztown and Philadelphia, died Tuesday in Williamsburg Community Hospital.
He was the husband of Mary (Chalfont) Bierly.
Born in Lewisburg, Union County, he was a son of the late Dr. James M. Bierly Sr. and Grace (Millward) Bierly.
Bierly was employed for 25 years as a professor of physics at the Philadelphia College of Science and Pharmacy, retiring in 1988.
An Army Air Forces veteran of World War II, he was a recipient of the Bronze Star.
A graduate of Kutztown High School, Bierly received his bachelor's degree from Kutztown University; his master's degree in physics from Bucknell University, Lewisburg; and his doctorate in physics from Temple University, Philadelphia.
He is also survived by a daughter, Rebekoh (Bierly) Westover, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Other survivors include two brothers, Boyd, Hershey, and Lee R., Reading.
There are also two grandchildren.
Services and burial will be private. The Nelsen Funeral Home, Williamsburg, is in charge of arrangements.
Larry L. Sterner Sr.
[Published November 9, 2000]
Larry L. Sterner Sr., 63, of 309 N. Sixth St., Hamburg, died of natural causes Wednesday at 9 a.m. in Lehigh Valley Hospital, near Allentown, where he had been a patient since Saturday.
He was the husband of Shirley A. (Huntsberger) Sterner.
Born in Hamburg, he was a son of the late Irvin J. and Bertha L. (Budden) Sterner.
Sterner was employed for 41 years as a sales representative by Behler Pattern Inc., Deer Lake, Schuylkill County, last working Sept. 22.
He was a 1955 graduate of Hamburg High School.
Sterner was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church, Hamburg, where he was a trustee and choir member.
He was one of the organizers and a director of the YMCA of Hamburg.
Sterner is also survived by two sons, Larry L. Jr., Hamburg, and Jeffrey L., Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County; and two daughters: Tyndra C. Sterner, Maidencreek Township, and Lori A. (Sterner) Pinelli, Bristol, Bucks County.
Other survivors include a brother, Irvin B., Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; and two sisters: Shirley J. (Sterner) Koralton, West Lawn, and Carol J. (Sterner) Dianna, Reading.
There are also nine grandchildren.
Services will be Monday at 10:30 a.m. in Leibensperger Funeral Homes Inc., Hamburg. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Hamburg.
Joyce E. Isamoyer
[Published November 9, 2000]
Joyce E. Isamoyer, 67, formerly of Kemp Street, Lyons, died of natural causes Tuesday night in Lehigh Valley Hospital, near Allentown.
She was taken to the hospital from Kutztown Manor.
Her husband, Harold Isamoyer, died in 1988.
Born in Maxatawny Township, she was a daughter of the late Levi J. and Carrie A. (Scheirer) Warmkessel.
Isamoyer was employed for 22 years as a sewing machine operator by the Fleetwood Shirt Co. until her retirement.
She was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, Alburtis, Lehigh County, where she was a former choir member.
Isamoyer was a life member of the Macungie Minstrelaires, Lehigh County.
Surviving are two sons, Dennis M., Wescosville, Lehigh County, and Terry R., Lyons; and three daughters: Penny E. (Isamoyer) Fleetwood; and Roxanne M. (Isamoyer) Brobst and Vikki L. (Isamoyer) Sallada, both of Kutztown.
Other survivors include three brothers: Warren H. Warmkessel, Lenhartsville; Nevin J. Warmkessel, Topton; and Harold I. Warmkessel, Alburtis.
Also surviving are three sisters: Clara M. (Warmkessel) Angstadt, Topton; Mae C. (Warmkessel) Lichtenwalner, Macungie; and A. Christine (Warmkessel) Dietrich, Breinigsville, Lehigh County.
There are also nine grandchildren.
Services will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the Church of the Good Shepherd UCC. Burial will be in Lehigh (Zion) Cemetery, Alburtis. The Schmoyer Funeral Home, Breinigsville, is in charge of arrangements.
Stanley P. Weida
[Published November 9, 2000]
Stanley P. Weida, 72, of 80 Quarry Road, Maxatawny Township, died Tuesday night in Valley Manor Nursing Home, Coopersburg, Lehigh County, where he had resided since Friday.
He was the husband of Mary A. (Stitzel) Weida.
Born in Kutztown, he was a son of the late Victor and Miriam (Stopp) Weida.
Weida was employed for 13 years by Caloric Corp., Topton, retiring in 1990.
He was an Army veteran of World War II.
Weida is also survived by two daughters, Linda L. (Weida) Merkel, Kutztown, and Marjorie A. Weida, Fleetwood; and three sons: Jeffrey P., Mertztown; and Glenn S. and Richard C.G., both of Kutztown.
Other survivors include a sister, Catherine (Weida) McElerea, Hamburg; four grandchildren; a stepgrandson and a stepgreat-granddaughter.
Services will be Monday at 1:30 p.m. in St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Kutztown. Burial will be in Berks County Memorial Gardens, Maidencreek Township. Edward J. Hildebrand Funeral Home Inc., Kutztown, is in charge of arrangements.
Donald L. Zerbe
[Published November 9, 2000]
Donald L. Zerbe, 43, died of natural causes Wednesday at 12:46 p.m. in his residence at 308 Martha St., Robesonia.
Born in West Reading, he was a son of Leroy W. and Gladys J. (Endy) Zerbe, with whom he last resided.
Zerbe was employed for more than 20 years as a warehouseman by Associated Wholesalers Inc., Robesonia, last working July 13.
He was a member and consistory member of Zion's United Church of Christ, Womelsdorf.
Zerbe was a 1975 graduate of Conrad Weiser High School.
He was a trustee of the Womelsdorf Rod & Gun Club.
Zerbe was a 32nd degree mason with Williamson Lodge 307, F&AM, Womelsdorf.
He is also survived by a brother, Ronald D., Wernersville; and a sister, Carol A. (Zerbe) Wentzel, Reading.
Other survivors include his stepgrandmother, Evangeline Zerbe, Strausstown.
The Kirkhoff Funeral Home, Bernville, is in charge of arrangements.
