OBITUARIES

Dec 3, 2023

Gregory D. Hartranft, age 73, of Ephrata, passed away on Sunday, December 3, 2023. Born in Ephrata, a son of the late Martin and Grace Hartranft. Gregory was the loving husband to Mary Ann (Miller) Hartranft until her passing in 2019.

Gregory worked in production at Redman's Trailer Sales and as a mechanic at Gerber...

Dec 3, 2023

Francis W. ‘Frank’ Smith, 69, of Lancaster, formerly of Ephrata, passed away Sunday, December 3, 2023. Born in Ephrata, Frank was a son of the late Frank W. Guido and Sylvia (Hufford) Kochel. Raised by his mother, Sylvia and stepfather, Edward Smith, Frank was a graduate of Ephrata High School, class of 1972. He was the devoted husband to...

Dec 2, 2023

Janice L. Shirker, 84, of Ephrata, passed away at home Saturday, December 2, 2023. Born in Johnstown, Janice was the daughter of the late Lloyd A. and Mabel M. (Ickes) Renick and the loving wife to Russell S. Shirker for 63 years.

At a young age, Janice moved frequently due to her father’s job. They...

Nov 30, 2023

Donald J. Hain, 89, of Denver, passed away Thursday, November 30, 2023. Born at home in Stevens, he was a son of the late Ralph S. and Elizabeth (Stricker) Hain on March 11, 1934. He was the loving husband of 67 years to Nancy J. (Hagy) Hain.

Donald was a graduate of Denver High School,...

Nov 27, 2023

Patricia Ann (Eisele) Mitchell, 69, of Pottstown, formerly of Broomall and West Chester, passed away on Monday, November 27, 2023, at the WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital. Pat was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and was the daughter of the late Theodore and Doris Marie (Rude) Eisele. She was the beloved wife of Jerome "Jerry" W. Mitchell for 51 years....

Nov 27, 2023

A soft-spoken, yet bright and devoted advocate for equality and charity, Mary Jane (Henly) Wechter, 93, passed away early Monday morning, November 27th, 2023, at Moravian Manor, Lititz, PA. She was the loving wife of the late Robert L. Wechter, sharing 64 years of marriage. Born in a farmhouse on Stevens Rd., Stevens, PA, on July 10, 1930, she...

Nov 25, 2023

Nancy L. (Weik) Bealer, 81, a resident at The Heritage of Green Hills and formerly of Sinking Spring, passed away Saturday, November 25, 2023. Born in Ephrata, Nancy was the daughter of the late Clarence M. and Ellen (Hoffman) Weik and married to her loving husband, Charles W. Bealer, for nearly 59 years until his passing in 2022.

Nov 17, 2023

James L. Shober, Jr., 89, of Stevens, passed away at home on Friday, November 17, 2023, under Hospice care after a 4-1/2 year illness. Born May 3, 1934, the ninth of ten children of James Sr. and Elsie (Musser) Shober. He was the husband of H. Joyce (Smith) Shober with whom he celebrated their 70th anniversary this past August...

Nov 9, 2023

Robert E. 'Bob' Johnson, 98, of Ephrata, PA, formerly of Dagsboro, DE, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Born in Berwick, PA, he was a son of the late James Russel and Helen (Blank) Johnson and the loving husband to the late Barbara A. (Howe) Johnson for 50 years.

Bob was a graduate...

Nov 5, 2023

Doyle H. Swank, 92, of Ephrata, passed away Sunday, November 5, 2023, at Keystone Villa. Born in Berwick, he was a son of the late William E. and Kathryn (Fedin) Swank and the loving husband to Sarah "Cookie" (Rose) Swank until her passing in 2015. Doyle's final resting place is in Memory Gardens, Ephrata.

Nov 4, 2023

William Craig Reber, 72, of Reamstown, died Saturday, Nov. 4 in Philadelphia. He was the husband of Dona Breckle Reber, with whom he celebrated 48 years of marriage in September. Born in Reading on May 17, 1951, Bill was the son of Ruby McCallum Reber and the late William Robert Reber. A graduate of Penn State University and Wilson...

Nov 2, 2023

Guyula (Zerbe) Sweigart Seifrit, age 98, of Ephrata, passed away on Thursday, November 2, 2023. She was born in Brecknock Township, Lancaster County, the daughter of Joseph P and Edna M (Kramer) Zerbe. Guyula was first married to Richard W. Sweigart until his passing in 1994, and later married Ammon F. Seifrit until his passing.

...

Nov 2, 2023

John Michael Berkley –May 3, 1961 – November 2, 2023

~Lovingly written by John’s spouse, Richard~

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John Michael Berkley, a loving husband, dedicated professional, and cherished friend. John's vibrant spirit and kind heart touched the lives of all who had the pleasure...

Nov 1, 2023

James Alan Byrd Sr., 73, of Narvon, passed away Wednesday, November 1, 2023. Born in Media, he was a son to the late Fred H. & Dorothy Elaine (Talley) Byrd. Jim was a graduate of Henderson High School, class of 1967 in West Chester. He moved to Florida in 1979 and for over 20 years Jim worked for the...

Nov 1, 2023

Edgar L. Gress, 86, of Reinholds peacefully went home to the Lord on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at the Ephrata Community Hospital. Born in West Cocalico he was the son of the late Earl and Elsie (Leid) Gress. Edgar was the loving husband to his wife Beatrice (Sheaffer) Gress to whom he shared 62 years of marriage. Edgar was...

Oct 30, 2023

On October 30th, 2023, at two in the afternoon, the Lord called Nancy home to be in His arms. She was surrounded by the love and care of family and friends, and was assisted in her final days by the wonderful team at Hospice & Community Care.

Born in Absecon, New Jersey on September 8th,...

Oct 29, 2023

Brent Allen Hoffner, 57, of Ephrata, passed away early Sunday morning, October 29, 2023, at the Lancaster General Hospital after sustaining injuries from a motorcycle accident. Born in Lancaster, Brent was a son of Robert L. & Kathleen (Levering) Hoffner and the devoted husband to Kelly J. (Zimmerman) Hoffner.

Brent grew up in Lancaster County...

Oct 24, 2023

Marie A. Mohn, 73, of Lititz, passed away Tuesday, October 24, 2023, after a courageous and graceful battle with cancer. Born in West Reading, she was the daughter of the late John P. & Jean M. (Raffensperger) Mohn. Marie was a graduate of Cocalico High School, class of 1968 and enjoyed participating with her brother in Christian Endeavor. She...

Oct 21, 2023

Leroy W. Reppert, 85, of Ephrata, passed away Saturday, October 21, 2023. Born in Reading, he was a son of William E. and Emma A. (Meck) Reppert, and the husband to Darlene A. (Goshert) Reppert.

Leroy graduated from Reading High School in 1957. After his time in the military, Leroy was employed with Dorma Door...

Oct 20, 2023

David A Greer, 70, of Adamstown, passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, October 20, 2023, after a 2-year courageous battle with cancer. Born in York, he was a son of the late Frank & B. Jeanne (Cramer) Greer and the loving and comedic husband of Laurie L. (Adam) Greer.David was a graduate of West York High School,...