Obituaries

Sep 11, 2024

Lucretia Elaine Glassey Esh, known as Crete, of Quarryville, went home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday September 11th, 2024. Crete was born on October 2, 1939, in Philadelphia PA to William Glassy and Elizabeth Friday. In 1941, she was placed in the loving Christian foster home of Ezra and Salome Nafziger of Intercourse. Crete had...

Sep 10, 2024

Charlotte Rae (Thompson) Diem, 88, of Narvon, passed away on September 10, 2024 at Wellspan Ephrata Hospital.

Born in Honey Brook, she was the daughter of the late Percy and Nellie (Miller) Thompson.

She was the wife of Robert J. Diem, with whom she shared 67 years of marriage.

She was a member...

Sep 10, 2024

Mabel Grace, known as “Mae Mae” and “MG”, was born fighting. At only 4.5 pounds, she impressed everyone she met with her feisty spirit. She was born with a heart condition, called HLHS. She fought hard every day of her life, experiencing multiple Cath procedures, open heart surgery on bypass, two cardiac arrests, and ECMO. With all of these,...

Sep 7, 2024

David A. Smoker, 86, of New Holland, died Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Lancaster General Hospital. His wife of 52 years, Rachel S. (Martin) Smoker, survives.

Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Amos and Anna Margaret (Lively) Smoker.

He served in the Army from 1961 to 1963....

Sep 7, 2024

Allen L. Fink, 83, of Keystone Villa Douglassville and formerly of 309 S. Churchtown Rd Narvon died on Saturday, September 7, 2024.

He was the son of the late Ross and Ella (Stauffer) Fink.

He was preceded in death by his wife Peggy (Englerth) Fink. He is survived by his companion...

Sep 1, 2024

Kristine “Kristy” M. (Messner) Walton, 37, of East Earl, passed away peacefully at Wellspan Ephrata Hospital on September 1, 2024 after a long battle with breast cancer.

Born in Reading, she was the daughter of John R. Messner Jr. and Tina M. (Angeli) Anderson.

She was the wife of Thomas H. Walton II, with whom...

Sep 1, 2024

Joan M. Blest, 89, of New Holland, died on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at Garden Spot Village surrounded by her husband of 66 years, Frank Dawson Blest and family.

Born in West Grove, PA, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Dorothy (Strahorn) McCleary. She grew up on a dairy farm and always...

Aug 31, 2024

S. Dianne Martin, 64, of Terre Hill, passed away at home on Saturday, August 31, 2024.

She was the wife of the late J. Nelson Martin who died in 1998. Born in Eustis, FL she was the daughter of the late Noah and Vera Nolt Shirk,

Dianne was a homemaker and a member...

Aug 30, 2024

Rufus M. Oberholtzer, 91, of New Holland, went to meet his Maker, August 30, 2024, two weeks after suffering a stroke.

He was married to Sarah W. Horning Oberholtzer for 68 years. Born in Upper Leacock Township on March 11, 1933, he was the son of the late Noah L. and Emma G. Martin Oberholtzer.

...

Aug 29, 2024

Walter A. Sweigart Sr., 90, of Lititz, formerly of Terre Hill, passed away on August 29, 2024 as a resident of Kadima Rehabilitation and Nursing at Lititz.

Born in Terre Hill, he was the son of the late Harry W. and Lettye B. (Hubertus) Sweigart.

He was the husband of the late Bonnie L. (Clayton)...

Aug 29, 2024

Bonnie Kay Merritt, 77, of Ephrata, passed away suddenly on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at WellSpan Ephrata Hospital.

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She was born in Berwick, PA to the late Robert and Marjorie (Jackson) Snyder. Bonnie was married to her long-time sweetheart, Howard E. Merritt, for 57 years. They enjoyed traveling and were...

Aug 29, 2024

Charles (Chuck) Landis passed away peacefully on Thursday August 29th at his home at the age of 85. He is survived by his wife, Vickie, and his two sons, Jon and Mathew, and five grandchildren. Charlie was a member of Salem Bible Church for over 50 years and was a well-known leader in the food service industry.

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Aug 23, 2024

Betty J. (Tyson) Stoltzfus went to meet the Lord on Thursday, August 22,2024 at UPMC Lititz.

She was the wife of Norman J. Stoltzfus, with whom she shared almost 69 years of marriage.

Born in Lancaster, PA, she was the daughter of the late Henry S. and Eva B. (Burkholder) Tyson.

Betty worked...

Aug 23, 2024

Ivan B. Hurst, 84, of Ephrata, passed away on August 23, 2024 in his residence.

Born in Ephrata, he was the son of the late Frank M. and Esther K. (Burkholder) Hurst.

He was the husband of the late Mary O. (Martin) Hurst, with whom he married on October 28, 1961 and shared sixty years...

Aug 21, 2024

Sheila D. Elmer, 60, of Lancaster, passed away on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

Born in Ephrata, she was the daughter of Charles K. Elmer of Lehigh Acres, FL and the late Patricia V. Ziemer Elmer.

Sheila was a graduate of Cocalico High School. She had been a clerical worker in the gas Industry in Oklahoma...

Aug 20, 2024

Crystal R. (Dixon) Means, passed away on August 20, 2024, after bravely battling metastatic breast cancer for nearly 7 years. Her life was a testament to selflessness, and she leaves behind a legacy of love and warmth that will be cherished by all who knew her.

Born on December 10th, 1970, Crystal was a devoted wife, mother,...

Aug 19, 2024

Thomas D. Merchlinski, 72, of New Holland, passed away at home on Monday, August 19, 2024.

He was the partner of Karen L. Bowers.

Born in Shenandoah, PA, he was the son of the late Jerome and Margaret (Miklusin) Merchlinski.

Tom was a 1969 graduate of Garden Spot High School and had been...

Aug 18, 2024

Ray L. Welk, 75, of New Holland, died Sunday, August 18, 2024, at his home. His fiancé, Rebecca Summers, survives.

Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Raymond L. and Sarah E. (Dearolf) Welk.

Ray worked at Acme Markets for 38 years, retiring as head cashier.

...

Aug 18, 2024

Elsie Mae Clements Johnson

September 15, 1931 – August 18, 2024

Elsie was born in Drexel Hill, PA on September 15, 1931 to the late George and Elsie (nee Fletcher) Clements. She went to Upper Darby High School where she was on the art staff for the school paper, school magazine and the all school...

Aug 16, 2024

Lester M. Bowman, 72, of Stevens, went home to be with Jesus on Friday, August 16, 2024. Lester will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 52 years, Brenda M. (Yoder) Bowman and family.

Born in Blue Ball, he was the son of the late Raymond S. and Ruth (Metzler) Bowman.

Lester and Brenda founded...