Obituaries

Sep 24, 2026

Sep 23, 2026

Wilmer Zeiset Leid, 58, of Denver, died Wednesday, September 23, 2026, as a result of an accident.

He was the husband of Alma Zimmerman Hoover Leid. Born in Ephrata, he was the son of the late Levi Burkholder and Vera Zeiset Leid.

Wilmer was a farmer and a member of the Reidenbach Church.

Surviving besides his wife are 11 children, Annie H. wife...

Sep 23, 2026

Isaac Leroy “Ike” Nolt, 87, of Ephrata, PA, entered into rest on September 23, 2026, at Fairmount Homes. Born in the nearby village of Linden Grove, he was the son of Isaac Nolt and Irene (Sheaffer) Nolt. Ike was the devoted husband of Miriam Nolt, with whom he shared 67 years of marriage.

Ike was employed by the Thomson Corporation as...

Sep 17, 2026

Amanda Marie Johns, 38, lovingly known as “Mandee,” passed away peacefully at Lancaster General Hospital on September 17, 2026, following a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was surrounded by the love of her family and leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion to those she cherished most.

Amanda was the beloved wife of David L. Johns, with whom she...

Sep 17, 2026

Kenneth J. Seitz, 80, of Leola, passed away on Thursday, September 17, at the United Zion Retirement Community in Lititz.

He was the husband of the late Natalie Puskoris Seitz who died in 2006 with whom he shared 36 years of marriage . Born in Queens, NY he was the son of the late Peter and Geraldine Reichlen Seitz.

Kenneth retired from...

Sep 16, 2026

Fern Edith Nolt, 51, of Ephrata, passed away on September 16, 2026, at Hospice and Community Care, Mt. Joy. Fern was born in Ephrata to her late parents, Michael S. and Edith R. (Burkholder) Nolt.

Fern was a third-grade teacher at Springville Mennonite School and enjoyed piecing comfort tops for CAM. She was a member of Springville Mennonite Church (Weaverland Conference).

Fern...

Sep 14, 2026

Lawrence E. Lewis, 83, of New Holland, passed away at home on Monday, September 14, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Lawrence was born in Audubon, NJ, to his late parents, Frank Wilson and Marjorie (Mattas) Lewis. His beloved wife of 61 years, Linda L. (Wick) Lewis survives at home.

Lawrence grew up in Upper...

Sep 14, 2026

Ismael Burgos, 95, of Ephrata, passed away at home on Monday, September 14, 2026.

He was the husband of Eugenia Colon Maldonado Burgos. Born in Orocovis, Puerto Rico, he was the son of the late Juan L. and Carmen Figueroa Burgos.

Ismael retired from CNH where he had been employed for many years. He was happiest when he was spending time with...

Sep 13, 2026

On September 13, 2026, our mom, Mammaw, mentor and friend, Ruth Ann (Leaman) Stauffer, went home to be with Jesus. She leaves behind brothers & sisters, sons & daughters, grandkids, and a great granddaughter, as well as countless others who consider her just as much a mom, Mammaw, mentor and friend. She is finally reunited with her beloved husband, Al,...

Sep 13, 2026

Leah S. Nolt, 91, of Ephrata, passed away on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Lincoln Christian Home. Leah was born in Earl Township to her late parents, John M. and Leah M. (Shirk) Nolt.

Leah worked as a seamstress and enjoyed counted cross stich, sewing, and completing puzzles. She was a member of Groffdale Mennonite Church, Weaverland Conference.

Leah is survived by...

Sep 12, 2026

Robert R. Reed, 88, formerly of New Holland, died Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Ephrata Manor. His wife of 32 years, Carol (Gerlitzki) Reed, survives.

Born in Pellston, MI, he was the son of the late Martin L. and Norma (Brenneman) Reed.

He had been a self-employed truck driver throughout his life and attended Petra Church. He had served as a Corporal...

Sep 11, 2026

Sanford Lee Landis, 86, of Narvon, passed away on Friday, September 11, 2026.

Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Sanford L. and Anna Mary Harnish Landis.

Sanford had been employed by the Lancaster Dairy Herd Improvement Association for over 50 years. He was a member of Hopewell Church in Elverson. Sanford enjoyed hunting, fishing, oil painting and wood...

Sep 11, 2026

Paula Jean (McCoy) Shirk, 82, of Narvon, died September 11, 2026, at Zerbe Sisters Retirement Community. She was predeceased by her husband Robert Shirk in 2017 and with whom she shared 52 years of marriage and by their beloved dog Bud, her constant companion and protector after Robert’s death.

Paula graduated from Millersville University in 1966 with an Elementary Teaching Degree

She...

Sep 10, 2026

Rachel S. Smoker, 79, of New Holland, died Thursday, September 10, 2026, at home. Her husband, David A. Smoker, preceded her in death in 2024.

Born in New Holland, she was the daughter of the late Phares W. and Margie (Stahl) Martin.

Rachel was a seamstress, working in Blue Ball, Hinkletown, and Mekes sewing factories. She was later in the salad department...

Sep 8, 2026

Debra C. Shaffer, 69, of New Holland, passed away at Ephrata Community Hospital, on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Debra was born in Lancaster, to her late parents, Richard C. and Helen A. (Sandoe) Usner. Her beloved husband of 33 years, Zane L. Shaffer, survives at home.

Debra was an antique enthusiast. She enjoyed collecting fine china, restoring, and then reselling it....

Sep 8, 2026

Dale W. Richard, 88, of New Holland, passed away at home on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

He was the husband of Edna (Edie) Hall Richard. Born in West Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Dayton K. and Hannah V. Keefer Richard.

Dale retired from State Farm where he had been a Damage Appraiser for 30 years. He was a member...

Sep 4, 2026

Martha Hope Hahn was born sleeping in the arms of Jesus, on September 4, 2026. Martha is the daughter of Anthony Michael and Angela Renee (Boll) Hahn. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her siblings, Aleah, Rebekah, Lydia, Keturah, Daniel and Hannah Hahn, all of home. In addition, Martha is survived by her grandparents, Anthony and Carolyn...

Sep 4, 2026

Margaret J. Witwer, 80, of East Earl, passed away on September 4, 2026, at home surrounded by her beloved husband and son. Margaret was born in New Freedom, to her late parents, William and Margaret (Tompson) McConnell. Her husband George Z. Witwer survives at home.

Margaret worked at several hometown banks in the processing department and will be remembered for her...

Sep 3, 2026

Beatrice (Bea) B. Neely, 92, of New Holland, PA, passed away on September 3, 2026, at Garden Spot Village. Bea was born in Hastings, MI, to her late parents, Fred B. and Beatrice B. Bowerman. Her late husband, John (Jack) D. Neely III, passed away in December of 2018.

Bea developed bone cancer and at the age of 12, had her...

Sep 3, 2026

Cathryn M. Martin, 92, a resident of Fairmount Homes, passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Her husband, Elam L. Martin, preceded her in death in 2021.

Born in Hinkletown, she was the daughter of the late Samuel H. and Frances S. (Good) Good.

She, along with her husband, owned and operated Twin Valley Furniture for nearly 30 years. She later provided...