Dolores J. Alderfer
Dolores J. (Nice) Alderfer, 75, of Telford, died early Sunday morning, March 16, 2008 at Peter Becker Community, Harleysville, following a battle with cancer. She was the widow of the late Robert D. Alderfer, who died in 2001.
Born in Souderton, she was a daughter of the late Paul and Verna (Hagey) Nice.
A long time member of Perkiomenville Mennonite Church, she was active on the Senior Citizens Committee and served as former congregational treasurer.
She volunteered for the Care and Share Thrift Shop, Souderton, in the gift shops of the Mennonite Historians, Harleysville, and the Souderton Mennonite Homes, Souderton.
She also was a member and treasurer of the Meadow-Wood Garden Club.
She and her husband were long time members of the Spruce Lake Camping Association, Canadensis.
Her interests included traveling with her late husband, cooking, baking and her flower gardens.
She is survived by a son, Dale Alderfer, and his wife Nancy of Souderton; two daughters: Jolene Weaver, and her husband Wendell of Telford and Denise Kiser, and her husband Jeffery of Souderton, and seven grandchildren: Ben Weaver, and his wife Denae; Marissa Weaver, Blake Alderfer, Nate Weaver, Jonathan Kiser, Jarrett Alderfer, and Amanda Kiser.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. at Perkiomenville Mennonite Church with viewing hours from 5-7 p.m.
Burial will take place at Perkomenville Mennonite Cemetery, Deep Creek Road, Perkiomenille.
Memorial contributions may be made to Building Fund of Perkiomenville Mennonite Church, P.O. Box 59, 1836 Gravel Pike, Perkiomenville, Pa. 18074.
Arrangements are by Anders Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory, Souderton.
Robert Clemens Bucher
Robert Clemens Bucher, 96, a life time Lower Salford resident and former township supervisor, died Sunday, March 16, 2008 at Peter Becker Community, where he lived since 2001. He was the husband of Mildred E. Bucher, who died in 1993.
Born in Harleysville, he was a son of the late Herbert S. and Edna Bean (Clemens) Bucher.
Mr. Bucher graduated from Souderton High School and Ursinus College with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
He was employed by D.U. DuPont, Wilmington, and Fleers Inc., as a research chemist. After retirement he continued as a consultant for Dande Corp. of Denmark.
Mr. Bucher was founder of the following: Lower Salford Historians, Goshenhoppen Historians, Penna. Log House Society, Historic Schaefferstown, and Heckler-Fest.
Mr. Bucher was a member of Indian Creek Church of the Brethren, Harleysville, where he was a Sunday School teacher for 50 years.
He is survived by two daughters: Catherine E. Eckert of Schaefferstown and Joyce A. Becker of Skippack; seven granchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers: Donald C. and Jacob C. Bucher, and a great granddaughter, Katelyn Joy Derstine.
A funeral service will be held Friday, March 21 at 11 a.m. at Indian Creek Church of the Brethren, Harleysville with viewing hours from 10-11 a.m.
Interment will be in the Delp Family burial ground.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lower Salford Historical Society, P.O. Box 150, Lederach, Pa. 19450 or to Indian Creek Church of the Brethren, 821 Main St., Harleysville, Pa. 19438.
Arrangements are by Williams-Bergey-Koffel Funeral Home, Franconia.
Hazel L. Burgess
Hazel L. Burgess, 86, a resident of Souderton most of her life, died Monday, March 10, 2008 in Cambridge BrightField, Hatfield Township. She was the widow of the late Joseph J. Burgess III, who died in Nov. 2007.
Born in Telford, she was a daughter of the late Theodore F. and Naomi (Musselman) Landis.
Mrs. Burgess was employed by Judson Technologies, in Montgomeryville, retiring about 1995.
She is survived by a daughter, Dianne E. Bair, and her husband Richard of Hatfield; two grandchildren: Christopher A. Bair of Green Lane and Megan E. Bair of Hatfield, and three great grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Mae Agar and a brother, Leroy Landis.
A funeral service was held Saturday, March 15 at the Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, Lansdale. Interment was in Whitemarsh Memorial Park.
Lois L. Davies
Lois Lorraine Davies, 82, formerly of Harleysville and Philadelphia, died Thursday, March 13, 2008 in Parkhouse Providence Point in Upper Providence Township. She was the wife of Edward G. Davies Jr.
Born in Niagara Falls, N.Y., she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Effie (Byrd) Evans.
She graduated from the Salvation Army College Training School in New York.
When she was younger, she served as an officer in the Salvation Army for a number of years.
Mrs. Davies retired from the former M.L. Bayard & Co. in Philadelphia as executive secretary.
She was an accomplished seamstress, talented in needlepoint and enjoyed singing.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by three sons: David Sharp of Boston, Mass.; Daniel Sharp, and his wife Lynne of York, and Richard Sharp, and his wife Lisa of Souderton; a step daughter, Carol Blickley, and her husband Joe of Philadelphia; eight grandchildren; a brother, Jack Evans, and his wife Shirley of Calif., and a sister, Trudi Rumbarger, and her husband John of Nazareth.
She was preceded in death by an infant granddaughter, Caroline Lois Sharp; a brother, Joseph Evans, a sister, Elsie Muir, and a step daughter, Linda Connell.
A funeral service was held Tuesday, March 18 in the Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, Lansdale. Interment was in George Washington Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, Pa. 19106.
Audrey A. Dearden
Audrey A. Dearden of Doylestown, formerly of Southampton, died Monday, March 10, 2008. She was 77. She was the widow of the late Thomas L. Dearden.
Born in Southampton, she was a daughter of the late Horace and Ethel (Snyder) Livezey.
She is survived by three daughters: Gayla Sexton, and her husband David of Hatboro; Laura Rhoads, and her husband Steve of Telford, and Tamara Smith of Georgia; grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Graveside services were held on Friday March 14 at Pine Grove Memorial Park Cemetery, Warminster.
Memorial contributions may be made to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 2 International Plaza, Suite 245, Phila., Pa. 19113.
Arrangements were by Schneider Funeral Home, Hatboro.
Herman C. Frese
Herman C. Frese, 90, a long time resident of Souderton, died Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at Phoebe Richland Health Care Center, Richlandtown. He was the husband of Elizabeth “Betty” (Souder) Frese. They would have celebrated 65 years of marriage in September.
Born in Bronx, N.Y. he was a son of Herman and Lillian (Hollenstein) Frese.
Mr. Frese graduated from Morris High School, class of 1936 where he lettered in football, baseball and gymnastics. He attended Temple University, where he received a B.S. in business.
He joined the N.Y. National Guard in 1940 which was activated into the 27th Infantry Division, serving in Pearl Harbor and the Pacific Islands in 1941. Upon returning to the States he attended Officer Candidate School. After graduation, he became a member of the 14th Armored Division.
After WW II, he joined the Army Reserves and was assigned to the 416 Military Government Unit at Norristown where he retired as a Major in 1977. He received the Legion of Honor Award from the Chapel of Four Chaplains in 1981.
He was employed by Harleysville Insurance Company where he was treasurer. He was an International Director of Administrative Management Society. He retired from Harleysville Insurance Co. in the early 1980’s where he continued as a tax consultant until five years ago.
He was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader. He was the first treasurer of Indian Valley Public Library, a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Souderton, MacCalla Lodge No. 596 F. & A.M. of Souderton, the Lu Lu Temple, various other Masonic organizations and the Indian Valley Country Club. He was also a member of Warren Royer Post 234, Souderton and the VFW in Sergeantsville, N.J.
One of his prime enjoyments was his home on the Delaware River. His enjoyment for the water caused him to join the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 10-6. He attained the rank of Captain and taught boater safety and seamanship.
In addition to his widow, he is survived by three children: Chris Frese of Conestoga; Scott Frese of Souderton, and Wendy Irwin of Washington Boro; a daughter-in-law, Carol Frese of Sunset, S.C.; eight grandchildren: Brenda Miles, Gregory Frese, Brian Frese, Jeffrey Frese, Becky Shanley, Katie Frese, Jamie Frese and Kelly Irwin, and five great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Richard Souder Frese.
A funeral service was held Monday, March 17 at Williams-Bergey-Koffel Funeral Home, Franconia. Interment was in Leidy’s Cemetery, Souderton.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Trustees of the University of PA and sent to: PENN Medicine Developmt. & Alumni Relations, The Clyde F. Barker Transplant House, 3535 Market St., – Suite 750, Phila., Pa. 19104. The contribution will go towards the housing of families experiencing a transplant.
Jane M. Frick
Jane M. Frick, a former 38-year resident of Morrisville and Yardley, died Sunday, March 16, 2008 in the Lutheran Community at Telford where she had resided since 1994. She was 84. She was the wife of Richard L. Frick. They had celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in January.
Born in West Rockhill Township and raised in Perkasie, she was a daughter of the late Clayton F. and Ruth N. (Fretz) Pritchard.
A 1940 graduate of Sellersville-Perkasie High School, she attended Grand View Hospital Nursing School from 1941-1943.
She was employed as a dental secretary for Emery J. Ungrady, D.D.S., Trenton, N.J. from 1958 until retiring in 1986. During the early 1950’s, she stitched major league baseballs for Hubbert’s Baseball Factory in Perkasie.
A member of the Presbyterian church of Deep Run, Perkasie, and a former member of First Presbyterian Church, Morrisville, Mrs. Frick had served as church elder and president of the Women’s Association over the years. She was a member of the Philadelphia Prsbytery Board as well as the Philadelphia Prsbytery Homes Auxiliary.
Mrs. Frick was in Girl Scouting for 60 years, primarily as a volunteer with Bucks County Girl Scout Council, Freedom Valley Girl Scout Council, and Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, serving on the Board of Directors as Program Services (Camping) Chair as well as a Girl Scout Leader and Trainer. She was a charter member (1950) of the former Perkasie Jayceettes. While residing in Morrisville, she volunteered with the Morrisville Parent-Teacher Association and the Band Boosters.
Mrs. Frick was an avid traveler with her husband, visiting every state and state capital in the United States. She had a keen interest in Presidential history, having visited many of the Presidential libraries and homes.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters: Sara Jane “Sue” McKinney of Davenport, Fla. and Mary Anne Harrold of Jesup, Iowa; a son, Richard Alan Frick, and his wife Geneva (Steinbeiser) of Newark De.; 10 grandchildren: Adam and Dayna Sonovic, Matthew Frick, and his wife Cynthia, Jennifer Eschenbrenner, and her husband David, Amanda and Daniel Frick, Ryan, Michael and Kelly Harrold, and Clayton Harrold, and his wife Dana; eight great grandchildren; a brother, James L. Pritchard, and his wife Jean (Thompson) of Telford; a sister, Mary l. Waldie of Cape May Court House, N.J., and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Russell McKinney, and a brother-in-law, George Waldie Sr.
Funeral services will be held Monday, March 24 at 11 a.m. in The Presbyterian Church of Deep Run, Perkasie with calling hours from 9:30 a.m. until service time.
Interment will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, 100 Juliette Low Way, P.O. Box 814, Valley Forge, Pa. 19482 or to the Presbyterian Church of Deep Run, 16 Irish Meeting House Road, Perkasie, Pa. 18944.
Arrangements are by Bernard Suess Funeral Home, Perkasie.
Marion H. Garrecht
Marion H. (Howard) Garrecht, 95, of Sellersville, formerly of Telford, died Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at Grand View Hospital. She was the wife of Harvey Emmitt Garrecht for over 70 years.
Born in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late Harry and Isabelle (Gordon) Howard.
Mrs. Garrecht was a volunteer at Grand View Hospital for 40 years and gave over 25,000 hours.
She attended Lansdale Mennonite Church of Lansdale.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Claire Alderfer, and her husband Donald of Huntingdon Valley; two granddaughters: Aimee Chew, and her hsuband Matthew of Bothell, Wash. and Abbe Feledick, and her husband Thomas of Doylestown; a grandson, Andrew Alderfer of Horsham;three great grandsons, and two great granddaughters.
Memorial services were held on Tuesday, March 18 at Rockhill Mennonite Community Chapel, Sellersville. Burial took place at Line Lexington Mennonite Cemetery in Line Lexington.
Arrangements were by Anders-Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory, Souderton.
Paul S. Gehman
Paul S. Gehman, 90, of Souderton, died Sunday, March 16, 2008 at Souderton Mennonite Homes. He was the husband of the late Sallie M. (Kulp) Gehman, who died in 2006.
Born in Bally, he was a son of the late Harvey and Mary (Strouse) Gehman.
Mr. Gehman was a feed delivery driver for Moyer & Son of Souderton from 1946 to 1959 and worked at the former Daub’s Market of Souderton from 1959 to 1968. He was employed by Longacre Poultry in 1968 until retiring in 1984.
He served several years in Civilian Public Service, Forestry Division, in Virginia during WW II.
He was a member of Franconia Mennonite Church.
Mr. Gehman enjoyed gardening, woodworking, and raising poultry.
He is survived by two sons: Ivan Gehman, and his wife Merrie of Telford and Ernest Gehman of Souderton; four daughters: Leora Gehman of Bradenton, Fla.; Clara Seaman of Sarasota, Fla.; Sallie Halteman, and her husband Richard of Sierra Vista, Ariz., and Karen Hessler, and her husband Russell of Green Lane; a sister, Edna Kronenwetter of St. Marys; five grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three brothers: Enos, Leroy and Melvin Gehman and four sisters: Ruth, Esther, Mabel and Kathryn Gehman.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 22 at 11 a.m. at Souderton Mennonite Summit View Auditorium, Souderton with calling hours from 9:30 a.m. -11 a.m.
Burial will take place at Franconia Mennonite Cemetery in Franconia.
Memorial contributions may be made to Agape Fund c/o Souderton Mennonite Homes, 207 W. Summit St., Souderton, Pa. 18964.
Arrangements are by Anders-Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory, Souderton.
Esther L. High
Esther L. High, 90, of Franconia Township, died Friday, March 14, 2008 in the skilled nursing unit of Peter Becker Community. She was the widow of the late Harry G. High who died in 2006. They had been married 66 years.
Born in West Rockhill Township, she was a daughter of the late John B. and Hattie (Landis) Nase.
She was employed as a sewing machine operator for various area clothing factories including the Royal Pants Factory, SunLite Shop, and Sackman Brothers prior to her retirement in 1981.
Mrs. High was a long time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ridge Valley, where she taught Sunday School for more than 15 years.
Her hobbies included gardening and making her own clothing and dolls.
She is survived by two daughters: Harriet Smith of Harleysville, and Carol Iannetta, and her husband Michael of Telford; six grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; two brothers: John L. Nase, and his wife Hilda of Sellersville, and Paul Nase, and his wife Naomi of Red Hill; a sister, Emma Schuler of Telford, and a sister-in-law, Margaret Nase of Telford.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Donald Smith; two sisters: Elizabeth Allem and Edna Shirk, and two brothers: Leroy and Harvey Nase.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 20 at 11 a.m. in St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sellersville with calling hours from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service.
Interment will be in the adjoining church cemetery following the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 910 Allentown Road, Sellersville, Pa. 18960.
Arrangements are by Sadler-Suess Funeral Home, Telford.
Heino Laaster
Heino Laaster, 87, a 16-year resident of Souderton, formerly of Freeville, N.Y. died Monday morning, March 17, 2008 at his home. He was the husband of Helga (Sepp) Laaster, to whom he was married 64 years.
Born in Estonia, Mr. Laaster came to the United States in 1956 and settled near Ithaca, N.Y.
He had been employed for 17 years in HVAC services at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. Prior to that, he had worked as an auto mechanic for Cayuga Motors, Ithaca, N.Y.
Mr. Laaster enjoyed video photography and fishing.
In addition to his widow, he is survived by a daughter, Pia Graham, and her husband Don of West Rockhill Township, and five grandchildren: Alex, Eric, Krista, Sonnet, and Galen.
He was preceded in death by five sisters and one brother.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans Memorial Program, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301.
Arrangements are by Betty Meier Steeley Funeral Home, Sellersville.
Jacob M. Landis
Jacob M. Landis, 96, of Montrose and formerly of Telford, died Monday, March 10, 2008 at Gracious Living Estates, Montrose after a brief illness. He was predeceased by his wife Edith B. Landis.
Born in Morwood, he was a son of the late Abram M. and Lizzie (Moyer) Landis.
Mr. Landis worked for the Royal Pants Manufacturing Co., in South Perkasie for over 58 years and was also a chicken farmer.
He was a member of Advent Lutheran Church and the Prime Timers. He was also active in the Lutheran Brotherhood, and church council.
He is survived by three daughters: Nancy, and her husband Howard Cronrath of Montrose; Barbara, and her husband Edward Conley of Montrose, and Donna, and her husband Russell Geiger of Apollo Beach, Fla.; a sister, Edith M. Landis of Souderton; a brother, Abe M. Landis of Ft. Myers, Fla.; 11 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren, and five nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by a son, James L. Landis and two brothers: Titus and Raymond Landis.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. at Advent Lutheran Church, Harleysville on Saturday, March 29 with Pastor Jo Ann Wilhelmson officiating.
Interment will be in the Old Goschenhoppen Cemetery, Woxall immediately following the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the building fund of Advent Lutheran Church.
Arrangements are by Daniel K. Regan Funeral Home, Montrose.
John B. Mensch
John B. “Jack” Mensch, 78, of Pennsburg, died Thursday, March 13, 2008. He was the husband of Helen M. (Kelly) Mensch.
Born in Pennsburg, he was a son of the late Clarence and Mary (Bartholomew) Mensch.
He was a graduate of Pennsburg High School, and of the Taylor Business School, Philadelphia.
Mr. Mensch served in the Air Force during the Korean War.
He was a scheduler for the former Bethlehem Steel Co., first in Pottstown and then Bethlehem, for 32 years, retiring in 1982. After his retirement from Bethlehem Steel, he was employed by the Upper Perkiomen School District.
Mr. Mensch was a member of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Pennsburg, and was a life member, and former chief of the Pennsburg Fire Company. He was also a member of the Snake Hill Hunting Club in Pike County.
In addition to his widow, he is survived by two sons: John Mensch, and his wife Deborah of Royersford and James Mensch, and his wife Laurene of Irmo, S.C.; a stepson, Charles Mundy, and his wife Susan of Palmyra; two stepdaughters: Janet, and her husband David Pursel of Bechtelsville, and Nancy Paskel of Virginia Beach, Va.; a sister, Carol Eschbach of Harleysville; 11 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
A funeral Mass was held Monday March 17 at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Pennsburg. Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Pennsburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 75, Pennsburg, Pa. 18073 or the Pennsburg Fire Company, 501 Penn St., Pennsburg, Pa. 18073.
Arrangements were by The Falk Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Pennsburg.
Edward A. Molnar
Edward A. Molnar, 94, of Green Lane (Milford Township) died Saturday, March 15, 2008 in Quakertown Center-Genesis Health Care. He was the husband of Catherine (Miles) Molnar. They would have been married for 69 years on April 29.
Born in Kulpmont, Northumberland County, he was a son of the late Kalman and Julia (Kriller) Molnar.
He was a maintenance electrician for 17 years at Grand View Hospital before retiring in 1979. Previously, he worked as an engineer on the former Bethlehem Steel Railroad and had worked as a deep shaft coal miner in northern Pennsylvania.
He was a member of Quakertown United Methodist Church, Quakertown.
In addition to his widow, he is survived by four sons: Edward J., and his wife Judy of Harleysville; Clayton J.; Dennis P., and his wife Debborah, all of Green Lane, and Randall M., and his wife Valerie of Warrington; a daughter, Cynthia G. Molnar of Green Lane; seven grandchildren: April, Tammy, Mark, Susan, Michael, Eric, and Melanie, and nine great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 22 in the Jeffrey A. Naugle Funeral Home, 20 N. Ambler St., Quakertown with viewing hours from 10-11 a.m. in the funeral home.
Interment will be in Quakertown Union Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Quakertown United Methodist Church, 1875 Freier Road, Quakertown, Pa. 18951.
John S. Nelk
John S. Nelk, 37, of Harleysville, died suddenly at home on Sunday, March 9, 2008.
Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of Dorothy and Norman Nelk.
Mr. Nelk is survived by a daughter, Corianne Nancy Moyer-Nelk; a son, James Russell Moyer; a brother, Richard Pistoll Watson; two sisters: Donna Marie Nelk and Diane Marie Nelk, and a niece.
Services are private.
Arrangements are by Schneider Funeral Home, Hatboro.
Harvey N. Nyce
Harvey N. Nyce, 88, of Souderton, died on Tuesday, March 11, 2008. He was the husband of the late Grace M. (Krupp) Nyce who died on Jan. 17. They would have celebrated 70 years of marriage in November.
Born in Elroy, he was a son of the late Harvey and Katie (Nyce) Nyce.
Mr. Nyce was employed by A.F. Moyer & Sons, Souderton, now MOPAC.
He was a long time active member of Hersteins Mennonite Church of Neiffer.
He is survived by two sons: Ronald Nyce, and his wife Blanche of Souderton and Vernon Nyce, and his wife Linda of Sellersville; a daughter, Grace Hunt, and her husband John of Interlaken, N.Y.; 11 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren and one sister, Naomi Roth of Lansdale.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Ruth Ann (Nyce) Frederick, the late wife of Dale Frederick of Souderton; two great grandsons; and five siblings: Lillie Landis, Henry Nyce, Anna Frankenfield, Minnie Kratz, and Marion Moore.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, March 15 at Williams-Bergey-Koffel Funeral Home, Franconia. Interment was at Franconia Mennonite Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grand View Hospice, 700 Lawn Ave., Sellersville, Pa. 18960.
Thomas Rawa Sr.
Thomas Rawa Sr. of Upper Moreland Township, died Wednesday, March 12, 2008 in Abington Memorial Hospital, Abington Township. He was 62.
Born and raised in Hilltown, he was a son of the late Frank and Mary (Wietecha) Rawa.
He was a 1963 graduate of Lansdale Catholic High School, Lansdale.
Mr. Rawa had been employed by Sentinel Glass, Willow Grove for 12 years until retiring. Previously, he worked for Fischer & Porter, Warminster.
Mr. Rawa served with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, 228th Support Battalion, Sellersville in 1963.
He was a member of Our Lady of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Hilltown.
An avid fisherman in his earlier years, he also enjoyed hunting and playing cards.
He is survived by two sons: Thomas Rawa Jr., and his wife Christine of Horsham and Robert Rawa, and his wife Julia of Montgomery Township; two daughters: Margaret Paone, and her husband James of Hatfield and Rebecca Rawa, and her fiance Shane Watkis of Roslyn; five grandchildren: Samantha, Ashley, Nathaniel and Benjamin Rawa, and Dominick Paone; three brothers: Father Gerald Rawa of West Virginia; John Rawa, and his wife Margaret of Hilltown, and Frank Rawa, and his wife Marta of Tucson, Ariz.; two sisters: Sue Hagerman of Audubon and Marie Knight of Harleysville, and a sister-in-law, Carole Rawa of Hilltown.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Dawn Marie Rawa, in infancy; two brothers: Ray and Joseph Rawa, and a sister, Joanie Rawa.
A funeral Mass was held Tuesday, March 18 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Hilltown. Interment was hold at Our Lady of Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Hilltown.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, 701 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19123.
Arrangements were by Bernard Suess Funeral Home Inc., Perkasie.
Mabel E. Reiff
Mabel E. Reiff, 90, of Hatfield, formerly of Philadelphia, died on Sunday, March 16, 2008 in Central Montgomery Medical Center, Hatfield Township. She and her husband David J. Reiff would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in August.
Born in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late Clarence and Julie (Osterman) Galbraith.
A homemaker for most of her life, she was previously employed as a telephone operator with AT & T in Philadelphia for several years, and as a cashier for Sears & Roebuck in Philadelphia and at Erwin Chevrolet in Philadelphia.
Mrs. Reiff was a former member of Trinity Oxford Episcopal Church in Philadelphia.
Her hobbies included doing needlepoint and she enjoyed family gatherings.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons: David Reiff, and his wife Carol of Telford and Wayne Reiff, and his wife Patricia of Telford; six grandchildren: Stephanie Newbert, and her husband Michael of Lansdale; Christy Reiff of Telford; Scott Reiff, and his wife Nicole of Harleysville; Patrick, Sean and Julia Reiff of Telford, and two great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Clarence Galbraith and a sister, Dorothy Cavanaugh.
Services and interment will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, Pa. 19106.
Arrangements are by Sadler-Suess Funeral Home, Telford.
Willa S. Rosenberger
Willa Scanlon Rosenberger, 90, formerly of Telford and Hatfield, died on Thursday, March 13, 2008. She was the widow of the late James C. Rosenberger who died in 1982.
Born in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late Joseph F. and Marguerite G. Scanlon.
Mrs. Rosenberger was employed by Gulf Adhesives and was also a secretary for the Borough of Lansdale’s Building Inspector prior to her retirement.
She was also active with the local fund raising chapter of Deborah Hospital Foundation.
Mrs. Rosenberger resided in the Souderton Mennonite Home since 1986 and was known as a piano musician.
Mrs. Rosenberger is survived by a son, H. David Guthrie, and his wife Julia of Santa Rosa Beech, Fla. and five grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Joseph L. Guthrie.
Private inurnment will be in the Christ Reformed Indian Creek Cemetery in Telford.
Memorial contributions may be made to Deborah Hospital Foundation, 20 Pine Mill Road, Brown Mills, N.J. 08015.
Arrangements are by Williams-Bergey-Koffel Funeral Home Inc., Franconia.
Richard J. Sbarra
Richard J. Sbarra, a 16-year resident of Perkasie and formerly of Staten Island, N.Y., died Wednesday, March 12, 2008 in the Golden Living Center, Doylestown. He was 66. He was the husband of Lana (Messo) Sbarra.
Mr. Sbarra worked as a custodian, most recently at the Cassidy Cole Senior Center for the New York City Housing Authority for 30 years until retiring in 1990 due to illness.
Having been sick for many years with numerous hospitalizations and nursing home convalescences, he was also bedridden at home for many months, being cared for by his wife and sons.
Mr. Sbarra enjoyed concerts in the park, watching wrestling, sitting on the porch enjoying the view, and taking rides through the countryside.
In addition to his widow, he is survived by two sons: Anthony Richard Sbarra of Punta Gorda, Fla. and Michael Anthony Sbarra of Hilltown Township; a mother-in-law, Fanny Messo; a sister-in-law, JoAnn Messo Torres, and her husband Lou; a brother-in-law, Dr. Ralph Messo Jr., and his wife Sherry, and three nephews and three nieces.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 15 in the Bernard Suess Funeral Home, Perkasie. Interment will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sbarra Family, c/o Bernard Suess Funeral Home, 606 Arch St., Perkasie, Pa. 18944.
Deborah A. Traubel
Deborah A. Traubel of Chalfont, died Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at her home. She was 49. She was the wife of Frank O. Traubel III. They had celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary in June.
Born in Quakertown and raised in Perkasie, she was a daughter of Lester E. and Janet M. (Eckert) Gruver of Perkasie.
A 1976 graduate of Pennridge High School, she was a member of the National Honor Society.
Mrs. Traubel was employed as an electric billing clerk for the Borough of Perkasie for 32 years. She also worked part time for Kohl’s Department Store, Lansdale for the past three years.
She was a member of St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kellers Church where she served on the church council and the Christian Education committee.
Mrs. Traubel enjoyed reading.
In addition to her husband and parents, she is survived by a daughter, Amanda “Mandy” S. Siegfried, and her husband Brant of Pennsburg; a son, Adam F. Traubel of Chalfont, and a sister, Donna L. Buzdygon, and her husband Scott of Quakertown.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 18 in St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Perkasie (Kellers Church). Interment was in Kellers Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wissahickon Hospice or Penn Home Infusion Therapy, Suite 300, 150 Monument Road, Bala Cynwyd, Pa. 19004.
Arrangements were by Bernard Suess Funeral Home, Perkasie.
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