Obituaries

Elsie V. Kurtz, 95, a resident of the Mennonite Home, died Saturday, June 7, 2014.She was the wife of the late Robert S. Kurtz who died in 1989.  Born in Columbia, she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Lena Himes Stewart.Elsie was a graduate of Columbia High School.  Early in life she had worked as a hair dresser...

Robert O. Moyer, 92, formerly of Seitz Drive, Lancaster, died Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at Manor Care of Lancaster.He was married 51 years to the late Virginia A. Haas Moyer, who passed away in 2013. Born in Hamburg, Berks County, he was the son of the late Robert C. Moyer and Katie Elizabeth Moyer.Bob attended Hamburg High School before enlisting...

Charmaine A. Hildebrand, 71, of Lancaster, PA passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at Hospice & Community Care surrounded by family and friends. She was the loving wife of Glenn R. Hildebrand.Born in Lancaster, PA she was the daughter of the late Thomas Sr. and Alice (Riker) Marion. Charmaine’s biological father, William Riker, was killed in Normandy when she...

Patricia F. Rylee, “Mrs. Compassion,” 84, of Lancaster, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at Lancaster General Hospital.  She was the loving wife of the late Robert C. Rylee.  Born in Lancaster, PA, she was the daughter of the late William A., Sr. and Lillian R. (Snader) McManus.She graduated from J.P. McCaskey High School and spent much of...

Edna B. Hochstetler, 97, of Denver, wife of the late Cornelius (Neal) passed to her heavenly home on June 3, 2014 after two weeks of declining health.Edna leaves precious memories for daughter Cornelia, who lived with her, and four sons; John (Anne) of Denver, with whom she resided, Wayne (Lois) Illinois, Dennis (Sharon) Colorado, and Walter (Sue) Red Lake, Ontario....

William A. Rineer, 89, formerly of Rohrerstown, a resident of Oak Leaf Manor, Landisville, died Saturday, May 31, 2014. He was the husband of the late Thelma Rankin Rineer who died in 1975.  Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Amos B. and Anna S. Breneisen Rineer. William retired as a machinist from RCA in 1984 where...

Shirley M. Rand, 88, of 891 Ivy Drive, Lancaster, PA, died Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at the Glen at Willow Valley, after struggling with an illness that started in January of 2014. Shirley moved to Pennsylvania in May of 2013 to live with one of her daughters, Paula R. Kiernan. Shirley died the day after her 88th birthday, having lived...

Gordon B. Wolfer, 81, of Lancaster died May 26, 2014 at Hospice and Community Care. Born October 5, 1932 in Lancaster to the late Alvin D. and Katherine Wolfer. Gordon was the husband of Nancy Chryst Wolfer.Gordon attended J.P. McCasky High School and upon graduation he joined the Army and served in the Honor Guard during the Korean Conflict. After...

Gordon Paul Loptson, 86, of Willow Street, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on May 13, 2014.  A gifted teacher, Gordon’s life-long commitment to his faith and love of learning led him across countries and continents, and included such diverse occupations as farm hand, painter, pastor, missionary, counselor, teacher, college professor, and labor analyst.  As...

Grover G. Bledsoe, Jr., 90, of Lancaster, passed away on Sunday, May 25, 2014 at Hospice & Community Care.  He was the loving husband of the late Janice (Moore) Bledsoe.  Born in Abingdon, VA, he was the son of the late Grover G. Bledsoe, Sr. and Mary O. (Wilbar) Bledsoe.Grover graduated from Fulton High School in Lancaster County and Penn...

Esther E. “Aunt Mike” Bracken, 81, of Lancaster, passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at Hospice & Community Care.  She was the loving wife of the late Perry G. Bracken, Sr. who passed away in 1996.  Born in Nanty Glo, PA, she was the daughter of the late Joseph W. and Elizabeth M. (Gore) Little.Esther spent much of her...

Richard E. Omundsen, 85, of Lancaster, PA, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 17that Brethren Village.Born in Staten Island, New York, Mr. Omundsen was the son of the late Oscar and Julia Ganss Omundsen.  He was the husband of the late Dorothy Huttar Omundsen, who died in September, 2009.He received his B.A. degree from Oswego State Teachers College, and his Master’s...

Elaine J. Terranova, 70, of Lancaster, died Monday, May 12, 2014 at Hospice and Community Care in Mount Joy.Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of Anthony Terranova of Gap and the late Mildred McFarlane Terranova.Elaine had retired from Armstrong World Industries where she had been employed as a graphic artist for 49 years.  In retirement she enjoyed working at...

Jane W. Singer, 96, a resident of the Mennonite Home, died Friday, May 9, 2014 at the home.Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Anna Wisner Wagner.Jane retired from Armstrong World Industries where she had been employed in the payroll department for nearly 50 years.  She was a graduate of J.P. McCaskey High School.She was...

Barry L. Smith, 65, of Mt. Joy, PA died Sunday, May 11, 2014 at home. He was the husband of Karen Heming Smith with whom he would have celebrated their 38thwedding anniversary in July.Mr. Smith retired from Burnham Corporation in 2008. He was an avid Steelers Fan, enjoyed bowling, casinos, computer games and family time.In addition to his wife, he...

Mary A. Wills, 86, of Willow Valley, passed away on May 6, 2014.She was married 60 years to Paul E. Wills.  Born in Knox, PA, she was the daughter of the late Joseph L. and Josephine M. Agnello.She was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church and when able enjoyed singing in Church Choirs, participating in United Methodist Women...

Rudolph “Rudy” F. Soderholm, 93, of Luther Acres, Lititz, PA died on May 1, 2014 at Luther Acres after a lengthy illness.Born in Malmo, Nebraska, he was the son of the late Fred David and Alma Bostrom Soderholm. He was the husband of Jean Scott Soderholm with whom he celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in February.Mr. Soderholm was retired from...

Patrick James O’Leary, 70, of Quarryville, died Wednesday, April 30, 2014.Born in Lebanon, he was the son of the late Joseph J. and Kathryn A. Shuman O’Leary.Patrick was employed as a TV repairman.  He was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.Surviving is a sister Elizabeth A. Boeshore of Lebanon, and a sister-in-law Wanda O’Leary of New Providence.A...

Born on December 31,1920, passed on peacefully surrounded by the love of his family, April 30, 2014. Dick a WWII veteran and Purple Heart recipient, served in the 82 Airborne Division from 1942-1945. He graduated from Franklin and Marshal in 1949 and began his career at Conestoga Bank. He eventually became president and CEO of Commonwealth National Bank in 1977....

Charles H. Lang, 93, of Lancaster, PA, passed away on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community. He was the loving husband of the late Jennie S. Ferich Lang. Born in Harrison City, PA, he was the son of the late William and Flora Fink Lang.He was a longtime member of First Reformed Church in Lancaster, PA, where...