Harold W. Ertz

Harold, “Poppy,” Ertz, beloved father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on Monday June 10, 2019 following a very brief illness. Harold was surrounded by his loving family until the time of his death at 11:00 am at Ephrata Community Hospital. He will be dearly missed by his two daughters, Sandra Ruhl, wife of Floyd Ruhl of East Earl, and Barbara MacMaster, wife of Hugh MacMaster of New Holland. He is also survived by his four grandchildren: Ryan MacMaster, husband of Anh Nguyen of Gaithersburg, MD, Megan Carvell, wife of Benjamin Carvell of Middletown, PA, James Moore of Chariton, IA, and Justin Moore of Lancaster, PA. He was also great grand”poppy” to Evan and Hailey MacMaster of Gaithersburg, Maryland and Asher (“Timmy”) Carvell of Middletown, PA. Though we sorrow at the death of this most beloved man, we don’t sorrow without joy as he is now reunited with his beloved wife, Betty Ertz, who pre-deceased him on October 30, 2010.

Harold was a jack of all trades and a hard worker. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served in the Korean War. Harold was a skilled carpenter and worked in construction, truck driving, and retired after many years of service at Musselman’s Lumber. Harold was also very active in service and was a life time member of the Blue Ball Fire Company (now Garden Spot Fire Rescue) prior to the illness of his wife. In his later years, Harold took on the role as the loving and tender caregiver of his wife in her journey with Alzheimer’s dementia, setting a true and lasting example of the value and importance of the vows of marriage to his children and grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the nursing staff of the Intermediate Care Unit at Ephrata Community Hospital, as well as to the staff of Hospice and Community Care for their kind and compassionate care to Harold in his final days.

A viewing will be held on Friday, June 14, from 6-8 pm at The Beck Funeral Home, 315 East Main Street, New Holland, PA. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 15, at 10 am, with family receiving guests from 9 am -10 am at The Beck Funeral Home with the Reverend Beth Engel officiating. Interment will follow at Bridgeville Evangelical Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a contribution in Harold’s name can be made to Hospice and Community Care, 685 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17604. To send an online condolence to the family, visit www.BeckFuneral.com