Rhea A. Eshelman

Rhea A. Eshelman, 90, of 99 Bethany Road, Ephrata, formerly of Voganville Road, New Holland, died Saturday, June 9, 2012, at Ephrata Manor after a lengthy illness.

Born in Reading, she was the daughter of the late William R. and Susan J. (Mast) Keffer. Her husband, Arthur G. Eshelman, died Oct. 8, 2009.

Rhea was a homemaker most of her life but later retired from the Eastern Lancaster County Alternative School as a Library Aid.

She was a member of St. John’s Center United Church of Christ where she had been active in the Woman’s Guild and library. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, and feeding the birds.

Surviving are two daughters, Kathy, married to Harvey Fawber of Lancaster, and Ilene, married to Terry Sangrey of Paradise; a son, Jed Eshelman of Ephrata; four grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and a sister, Betty, married to Lloyd Dotterer of Reading.

Preceding her in death are two brothers, Karl and Leon Keffer; and a sister, Catherine Kachel.

The family wishes to extend their great appreciation to the staff at Ephrata Manor and AseraCare Hospice for the loving care of their mother.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 12 at 11 am at St. John’s Center U.C.C., 432 Reading Road, East Earl, PA 17519 with the Reverend Bradley Haws officiating. Interment will be in the Center Union Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Church on Tuesday from 10-11 am. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. John’s Center U.C.C., address above, or to Ephrata Manor Activity Fund, 99 Bethany Road, Ephrata, PA 17522. To send the family online condolences visit us at www.beckfuneral.com. Arrangements by Beck Funeral Home, New Holland.