ANGELA M. SMITH
Angela M. Smith 57, of Blain passed away Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, at home.
She was the daughter of the late Grover W. Hildebrand Jr. and Hazel Marie Vaughn.
Surviving are her husband of 28 years, Mark H. Smith; a son, Timothy J. Hildebrand and wife Ashley L. Hildebrand of Loysville; a daughter, Sarah M. Bender and husband Jesse T. of Landisburg; two precious grandsons, Luke J. Hildebrand and Thomas S. Bender; and a brother, James G. Hildebrand of Houtzdale.
Nickel-Lochstampfor Family Funeral Home, Loysville, handled arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 897, Hershey 17033, or online at https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate.html.
NANCY J. HAMMAN
Nancy Jane Hamman, 85 1/2, a longtime resident of Landisburg and most recently of Shippensburg, passed away Monday, Nov. 8, 2021.
The last surviving and youngest of nine children of C. Elmer and Susan T. (Shingler) Hetrick, she was born May 8, 1936, in Mount Union, Huntington County.
She was delightfully ornery, had a great sense of humor, loved “Jeopardy” and game shows in general, was a cut-throat card player, and took great pride in her marriage and family.
After graduating from Mount Union Area High School, she worked as a seamstress for several years before marrying and becoming a supportive military wife, raising four children while living around the world in the Philippines, Italy, Texas, Missouri and Virginia.
Surviving are her husband of 65 years and love of her life, Nelson G. Hamman; four children, Michael G. (Bonnie) of Carlisle, Jeffrey A. of Chesapeake, Va., P. Sue Kullen (Steve) of Port Republic, Md., and Karen J. Hamman of Bloomsburg; two granddaughters, Jennifer L. Graham (Keith) and Celia J. Sondheimer; nine great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces and nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by eight siblings, Fredrick Hetrick (Priscilla), Lloyd Hetrick (Dorcas), Grace Sheibley (C. Eaton), Melvin Hetrick (Matilda), Betty Koons (Joseph), Joy Grove (Joseph), Robert Hetrick (Jean) and Ronald Hetrick (Beverly); and a grandson, Joshua Hamman.
A celebration of her life will be held May 7, 2022.
DOUGLAS C. ASH
Douglas C. “Doug” Ash, 59, of Newport went home to be with Jesus on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, at his Centre Twp. home.
He was born March 9, 1962 in Harrisburg to Linda Sheetz (Ash) Bernhisel and the late Clyde L. Ash and stepfather William Bernhisel.
He was a hardworking family man, a loving husband, father, grandfather, son and brother.
He was a retired member of Local 23 Pipefitters and Insulators. He had attended New Life Assembly of God, Landisburg, where he was a youth leader for seven years, and currently attending River of Life Christian Church, New Bloomfield. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, a member of 49er’s Camping Association and the NRA, and enjoyed working on cars.
In addition to his mother, suriviving are his wife of 21 years, Denise (Cassell) Ash; two sons, Anthony and Kyle Ash; two stepchildren, Andrea Byerly and husband Sean and Aaron Rahn; two grandchildren, Shae Byerly and Lee Allan Ash; and three siblings, Clayton H. Ash and wife Desirae, Wesley Ash and wife Sheri and Vernon L. Ash and wife Janice. He also raised Theo Arndt, Davon Gilner and others.
He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Lee C. and Goldie Ash.
A service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 5, in River of Life Community Church, 717 Pine Grove Road, New Bloomfield, with pastor Dennis Gerkin officiating.
Memorial contributions to help with funeral expenses may be made Boyer Family Funeral Home, 101 W. Main St., New Bloomfield 17068.
MAX KRETZING
Max Kretzing, 95, of Shermans Dale and formerly of Landisburg, died Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021.
He was born Oct. 21, 1926, at home to Jacob and Charlotte (Long) Kretzing of New Bloomfield.
He graduated in 1945 from New Bloomfield High School and started working on a local dairy farm. He served his country in the Army from 1955 to 1957, and upon his return home, he and his wife purchased the beautiful farm on Falling Springs Road. It is at the farm he would spend the next 62 years as a dairy farmer and tilling the fields. He also was an active member of Mt. Zion Free Lutheran Church, Madison Grange 2083 and The Perry Historians. He enjoyed riding “his buggy,” hunting, playing cards, church activities, golfing, fishing, bowling, and loved ice cream from anywhere, but especially Mexico Market. He enjoyed traveling the United States and the world with his wife to places such as Alaska, China, Ireland, Europe and Costa Rica. He dearly loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Surviving are his devoted wife of nearly 68 years, Arlene (Spotts) Kretzing; two children, David (Debbie) Kretzing of Eugene, Ore., and Anita (Steven) Todd of Shermans Dale; a daughter-in-law, Karen Kretzing of Landisburg; five grandchildren, Larry (Felicia) Kretzing of Sunbury, Brian (Brett) Todd of Shermans Dale, Kelsey (Fletcher) Theobold of Harrisburg, Andrew Todd of Shermans Dale and Allyn (Jeremy) Kapp of Marysville; six great-grandchildren, Claire, Max, Russell, Gabriel, Josiah and Benjamin; and a brother, Dale (Ruth Ann) Kretzing of Elliottsburg.
He was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Kretzing; and six siblings, E. Brant, Ernest, Donald and Perry Kretzing, Ada Guyer and Eleanor Mae Kretzing (in infancy).
A service was held Nov. 19 in his church with the Rev. David Lusk officiating. Interment, with military honors, was in the church cemetery.
Nickel-Lochstampfor Family Funeral Home, Loysville, handled arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to his church, P.O. Box 904, Loysville 17047.
GILBERT G. SMITH
Gilbert G. Smith, 80, passed away Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at his home in Mechanicsburg.
He was born Sept. 7, 1941, to Gilbert and Lile (Bailets) Smith of Harrisburg.
He was a Marine Corps veteran, serving in Okinawa, Vietnam and during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was a former member of Trindle Springs Lutheran Church and member of Mechanicsburg VFW and American Legion.
Surviving are his wife, Betty Hoke Smith; two sons, William of Newport and Richard of Wernersville, Pa.; a daughter, Shannon Flowers (Anthony) of Elizabethtown; two brothers, Gregory E. of Johns Creek, Ga., Gary T. of Tremont, Pa.; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Grant Michael and Gordon Joseph Smith.
A service was held Nov. 22 in David Myers Funeral Home, Newport, with Dr. David Tanner officiating. Burial, with military honors by the Perry County Honor Guard, was in Eshcol Cemetery.
CATHERINE L. FISHER
Catherine L. “Kate” Fisher, 91, of Erie, formerly of Millerstown, passed away Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Erie.
She was born Dec. 22, 1929, in Rockville, Pa., to Park L. Martin and Ruth C. Smeltz.
She graduated from Thompsontown High School; sold Avon for more than 50 years; was a member of Millerstown United Methodist Church; and enjoyed sewing, gardening, decorating and eggery.
She was the widow of Robert L. Fisher.
Surviving are three daughters, Juli Moyer (William), Barbara Richardson (James) and Susan Candiello; a nephew, Tony Martin (Amy); grandchildren, Tyler Moyer (Danielle), Lauren Dugan (Brad), Catherine Shooter (Jeff), James Richardson (Amanda), Robert Candiello (Christa), Catherine High (Ryan), Noelle Strubczewski, Michael Candiello (Samanthia), Mackenzie Martin and Bryce Martin; and 20 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Ethel Martin; and four brothers, Gerald, Ronald, Robert and Mark Martin.
Interment will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 27, in Millerstown Riverview Cemetery. A service will follow immediately after the interment at David Myers Funeral Home, 125 Walnut St., Newport.
Memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice of Erie, 2253 Grandview Blvd., Erie 16506.
MATTHEW E. KELL
Mathew E. Kell, 35, fondly known as “Matte,” of Ickesburg died tragically in a motorcycle accident on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021.
He was born Jan. 11, 1986, at home to David and Beverly (Stone) Kell of Ickesburg.
In addition to his parents, surviving are five siblings, Michael (Karena) Kell of Blain, Bobbie Jo (Fred) Rankin of Blair Mills, Arthur (Jennifer) Kell of Ickesburg, Zachary (Nicole) Kell of Mechanicsburg and Eli (Lindsay) Kell of Ickesburg; his grandfather, David Kell Sr. of Ickesburg; and many nieces and nephews. He also will be dearly missed by Amy Kell of Ickesburg.
He graduated in 2004 from West Perry High School. He worked first at Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) as an operator, then a mechanic supervisor, and most recently as a trainer/instructor. He loved big trucks and motors. His adult career also included driving for H&J Towing and Carter Lumber. He was a mechanic for Blue Mountain Mulch, Rohrer Bus, and a service technician for USF Glen Moore. He also was also an avid Allis Chalmers tractor enthusiast. He took great pride in working with his hands, especially improving/fixing things that weren’t broken and he enjoyed building new and useful items from older items. He was well educated in electrical, plumbing, welding and anything mechanical.
He was confident, proud, ornery, dependable and would help anyone. He loved to serve others, evident in his passion for Ickesburg Fire Department. In his 20-year career with the fire department, he worked his way up through the ranks and responsibilities, without expectation of praise. He served as Fireman’s Relief president, fire company president, chief engineer, and lastly as deputy chief 3-1. He mentored others in the fire department. In addition to his extensive membership in the Ickesburg Fire Department, he was a member of the Ickesburg Sportsman Club.
A service was held Nov. 20 in Faith United Church, Ickesburg, with the Rev. Elaine Moyer officiating. Interment was in Blain Cemetery.
Nickel-Lochstampfor Family Funeral Home, Loysville, handled arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ickesburg Fire Department, P.O. Box 126, Ickesburg 17037, or Faith United Church, P.O. Box 100, Ickesburg.
MARJORIE M. HOKE
Marjorie Mae Hoke, 89, of Freeburg went to be with her Lord on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
She was born Thursday, Jan. 28, 1932, in Liverpool Twp. to Ernest J. and Alice M. Schott Dressler.
She attended Lebkicklers Grade School in Liverpool Twp. and Millerstown and Freeburg high schools; was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and the church’s Sunday school, a life member of Freeburg Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary; and enjoyed crocheting baby blankets and angels, working jigsaw puzzles, watching the Philadelphia Phillies, and doing Sudoku puzzles.
She had Hoke’s Luncheon in Freeburg from 1952 to 1960, and was employed as a stock clerk with Freeburg Manufacturing from 1960 until retiring in 1993.
Her son, daughter, grandchildren, great-granddaughter, and the rest of her family were her life and she dearly loved all of them.
She was the widow of Francis E. Hoke, who died May 30, 2018.
Surviving are a son, Randall, at home; a daughter, Darlene Moyer and husband Roy C. Moyer Jr. of Freeburg; a granddaughter, Andrea D. Henninger and husband Randell of Freeburg; four great-grandchildren, Colton Henninger, Dalton Henninger, Tatyana Henninger and Kaylee Henninger, all of Freeburg; many nieces and nephews; her cat Mitzi; and Ruby Newman of Selinsgrove with whom she was raised as sisters.
She was preceded in death by a son, Ritchie A., who died Jan. 13, 2009; four brothers, Blake H., Emmett L., Ernest E. and Walter R. Dressler; and three sisters, Ruth M. Brown, Beula Crane and Ruby A. Goodling.
George P. Garman Funeral Home, Mt. Pleasant Mills, handled arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Freeburg Fire Company, P.O. Box 29, Freeburg 17827, or St. Peters Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 211, Freeburg 17827.
JAMES E. NEARHOOD SR.
James Edward Nearhood Sr., also known as “Hood,” 77, of Blain went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, at home.
He was born Nov. 13, 1943, at home to the late James Ernest Nearhood and Anna Mae Margaret “Betty” Snyder of Liverpool.
He spent his entire life serving the people of his community. In his early years, he played, coached and umpired local baseball teams.
He was passionate about his volunteer work with the Blain Fire Police, Perry County Fire Police and the Pennsylvania Fire Police. Additionally, he was a firefighter with the Blain Fire Department and one of the first ambulance drivers for Blain. He worked at the Loysville Youth Development Center for more than 38 years, where he oversaw program development for adjudicated delinquent males. His adult career also included driving a school bus for more than 20 years and professionally driving cement and dump trucks.
He was a member of the Blain Sportsman Club and Three Springs Church of the Brethren.
Surviving are by his devoted wife of 59 years, Mary Jane (Myers) Nearhood; four children, James (Wanda) Nearhood Jr. of New Bloomfield, Rick (Betty) Nearhood of Blain, Rodney (Sandy) Nearhood of Elliottsburg and Brenda (Clifford) Collins of Arlington, Va.; six grandchildren, Jeramy Nearhood of Blain, Ryan Nearhood of Mechanicsburg, Lindsey Radle of Shermans Dale, Clifford Collins III of Sanford, N.C., Tyler Nearhood of Shermans Dale and Brianna Alexander of Greenville, S.C.; three great-grandchildren, Keoni, Caysen and Madilynn; and four siblings, Mary (Jerry) Salisbury of New York, Donna (Donald) Krick, Bunni (Larry) Bargar and Mick (Karen) Nearhood, all of Duncannon.
He was preceded in death by a brother, John P. Nearhood Sr.
A service was held Nov. 16 in Nickel-Lochstampfor Family Funeral Home, Loysville, with pastor Ed Weaver officiating. Interment was in Blain Cemetery.
KATHY R. BINGAMAN
Kathy R. Bingaman, 72, passed away Friday, Nov. 12, at home.
She was born April 15, 1949, in Lewistown to the late Ray and Audrey (Smith) Campbell.
She graduated in 1967 from Newport High School and worked at Chapman’s store while in high school. She became a certified nursing assistant and worked at Perry Village for more than 20 years.
Her hobbies included painting, antiquing, going to yard sales and baking. She loved to have her grandchildren decorate her baked goods. Because of her kind and compassionate spirit, she was known for giving — of herself, her time and gifts. Any unexpected guest brought to a holiday exchange never left empty-handed.
Surviving are her husband of 52 years, Harry; two daughters, Audra Schwaller (Shannon) and Amy Shomper (Tim); three grandchildren, Tyler, Kylie and Camryn Shomper; two brothers, David Campbell of Millerstown and Ray Campbell of Pittsburgh; a sister, Joanne Jole of Crestview, Fla.
She was preceded in death by an infant son and two brothers, Richard and John Campbell.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 27, in Highland Presbyterian Church, 11 Church Road, Newport.
David Myers Funeral Home, Newport, is handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Homeland Hospice, Attn: Myra Badorf, Asst. Director of Development, 2300 Vartan Way, Suite 270, Harrisburg 17110, or Ronald McDonald House Chapter of Central Pennsylvania, Inc., 745 West Governor Road, Hershey 17033-2304.
VALLI M. LEIGH
Valli M. Leigh, 62, of Loysville passed away Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.
She was born in Carlisle to Bonnie R. (Barkley) Foltz and the late Roger A. Moose Sr.
She was a 1977 graduate of West Perry High School. Throughout her life, she was a loving mother, wife, sister, daughter, aunt and friend. She had just retired as an office manager at RH2, Inc. Accounting and Tax Service, where she was an experienced, respected and integral presence.
She was most content in her comfortable, impeccably organized home, where she enjoyed quilting, canning, crocheting, gardening and many other hobbies. When she deemed an event or place worthy enough to leave her home, she was the best company, with a quick sense of humor, infectious laughter, and open, straight-forward conversation.
In addition to her mother, surviving are her loving husband, Randy A. Leigh; two daughters, Brandy R. Leigh (Scott Trimble) and Lindsay J. Leigh (Ryan Godman); two sisters, Rhonda Blumenschein (Danny) and Darcy Crull (Randy); a brother, Roger A. Moose Jr. (Kelly); and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her stepfather, James W. Foltz.
Boyer Family Funeral Home, New Bloomfield, handled arrangements.
LINDA L. THEBES
Linda L Thebes, 68, of New Bloomfield passed away Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, at UPMC West Shore Hospital.
She was born March 4, 1953, to the late John and Dorothy (Hockenberry) Kitner.
She was a member of New Life Assembly of God Church, Landisburg.
Surviving are her husband, Keith Thebes; two sons, Steve and Scott Peck; a brother, Ron Kitner and wife Delores; and several grandchildren.
A service will be held at 4 p.m., Friday, Dec. 3, in her church. Visitation will be at 3 p.m. David Myers Funeral Home, Newport, is handling arrangements.
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