Mildred R. Bechtold

Mildred Rineer Bechtold, 103, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2024 at Tribute at Melford.   

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Weaver Rineer and Gertrude Adelaide Sprenger Rineer, her husband, Harold Earl Bechtold, her son, Jeffrey David Bechtold, her brothers, William Arthur Rineer and Robert Daniel Rineer and her brother-in-law, T. William Waldrop.

She is survived by her daughter, Sue Ellen Groff (Rick), her grandchildren, Scott Michael Bechtold (Kara) and their children, Peyton, Lily, Victoria and William; granddaughter, Stacey Farris (Tom) and their children, Paige and Parker; grandson, David Richard Groff (Bridget) and their children, Lucas, Derrick and Maren; grandson Steven Michael Groff (Ally) and their sons Owen and Rhys and granddaughter Melanie Sue Kreitzer (Travis) and their daughters Maeve and Ashlyn.  She is also survived by a sister Martha Waldrop and many nieces and nephews.

Mildred was born in Lancaster, PA on July 27, 1920.  She attended J.P. McCaskey High School and was a member of its first graduating class in 1938. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church until her marriage when she then joined Redeemer Lutheran Church.  She met Harold at Armstrong Cork Co. and they married on April 27, 1946, after Harold returned home from spending 34 months in the African and European theaters of WWII.  She continued to work at Armstrong until their first child Jeffrey was born then returned to work in temporary positions until 1981 when Harold retired.  They both loved their church and were active members and also were active members of AARP and the AARP chorus.  Millie and Harold had many friends, enjoyed eating out, playing cards and going on trips.

She and Harold moved from the home they built in 1951 to Luther Acres in Lititz in 1998.  They lived there until 2012 when they moved in with Sue and Rick in 2013 after Harold passed away. Millie fell in August of 2019 which left her unable to walk but at the age of 99 and with great therapy she was able to walk again with the use of a walker.   She resided at Tribute at Melford in Bowie after her fall until her passing.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service at DeBord Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 141 E. Orange St., Lancaster, PA 17602 on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 12:00 PM.  A visitation will be held from 11:00 am until the time of the service.  Interment will follow in Conestoga Memorial Park.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to St. Matthew United Methodist Church, 14900 Annapolis Rd, Bowie, MD 20715 or to Lancaster County Food Hub, 812 N. Queen St., Lancaster, PA 17603.   To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit: www.DeBordSnyder.com