OBITS: Huntingdon Daily News Obituaries, April 2005 (partial), Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Ken Boonie OCRed and proofread by JRB Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm __________________________________________________________ NAME DIED Beverlin, Fay Joan (Sadowsky) April 28, 2005 Esposito, Barbara (Wakefield) March 19, 2005 Lantz, Robert C. April 28, 2005 Neville, Nelson Oscar April 26, 2005 Postlethwaite, Frederick R. March 27, 2005 Rhodes, Ralph E. April 26, 2005 Rourke, Erma Elizabeth (Wakefield) April 4, 2005 Runk, Patsy J. (Strausser) April 25, 2005 Thompson, Martha Elizabeth (Hearn) April 27, 2005 Wilds, Elizabeth G. April 28, 2005 Williams, Ida Jean (Harvey) March 30, 2005 Wisotzkey, Betty Rebecca (Long) April 26, 2005 Fay Joan Beverlin Member of Valley Point Church of the Brethren Fay Joan Beverlin of HCR 60, Orbisonia, died Thursday, April 28, 2005, at her home. Born in Monroeville, she was the daughter of the late John and Florence Sadowsky. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ronald A. Beverlin, in 2003. She is survived by two daughters, Marguerite Lynn (Beverlin) Contretas and Madonna Lea Beverlin. There are five grandchildren: Aaron E. Biddle, Tara L. Biddle, Abigail F. Biddle, Nathan W. Leatherman and Lauren S. Leatherman. She is also survived by one brother, Edward W. Sadowsky. A son, Lawrence Arthur "Larry" Beverlin, preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by one brother, John R. Sadowsky. Mrs. Beverlin was a member of the Valley Point Church of the Brethren, HCR 60, Orbisonia. A memorial celebration will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at the Rockhill Church of the Brethren, Rockhill Furnace. To honor Mrs. Beverlin's wishes, there will be no viewing. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contributions [sic] may be made to: Home Nursing Agency Hospice Volunteers, 900 Bryan St., Suite, 7, Huntingdon, PA 16652 or to Rock-hill Church of the Brethren. P.O. Box 39. Rockhill Furnace. PA 17249. Barbara W. (Wakefield) Esposito Four-decade career as ER nurse Barbara W. (Wakefield) Esposito, 69, of Philadelphia, died Saturday, March 19, 2005, at her residence. Born Dec. 16, 1935, in Walker Township, Huntingdon County, and reared in McConnellstown, she was the daughter of Pauline W. Wakefield of Huntingdon and the late Chester W. Wakefield. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Charles S. Esposito, and two daughters, Susan E. Basalik, and her husband, Kenneth, of Collegeville and Karen E. Zeltt of Medford, N.J. There are three grandsons, Gregory and Nicholas Zeltt and Benjamin Basalik. Two brothers survive, Richard Wakefield of Bluffton, S.C., and Stanley Wakefield of Mechanicsburg. Mrs. Esposito graduated from Huntingdon High School with the Class of 1953 and from the Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing, Philadelphia, in 1956. She worked primarily as an emergency room nurse for 44 years. For the latter part of her career, she served as trauma coordinator for emergency room services at Frank-ford Hospital, Torresdale Division, in Philadelphia. She retired from Frank-ford Hospital in 2000 but continued to remain active in the field of emergency medicine as a consultant to trauma programs throughout the Philadelphia area. Her hobbies included needlework and reading. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at Huntingdon Memorial Gardens, Walker Township, Huntingdon, R.R. 1. Contributions in Mrs. Esposito's memory may be made to the Trauma Foundation, Frankford Hospital, Torresdale Division, Knights and Red Lion Roads, Philadelphia, PA 19114. Robert C. "Lefty" Lantz Charter member of Cedar Crest-Lucy Furnace Chapel Robert C. "Lefty" Lantz, 67, of Kistler Road, Mount Union. went to be with the Lord at 2:10 p.m. Thursday, April 28, 2005, at his home. He had been in declining health. Born May 22, 1937, in Allenport, Shirley Township, Huntingdon County, he was the son of the late Emory A. Sr. and Nellie T. (Glunt) Lantz. He is survived by his wife. Florence A. "Perk" (O'Brien) Lantz, whom he married Sept. 19, 1959, at Cedar Crest-Lucy Furnace Bible Chapel, now known as Cedar Crest Independent Baptist Church, with Pastor Leon Foote officiating. He is also survived by his daughter, Kathy A. Lantz Miller, and her husband, Stacey, of Kistler Road, Mount Union, and a grandson, Derek. The following brothers and sisters survive: Emory A. Lantz Jr., and his wife, Jean, of Shade Gap; Harold L. "Red" Lantz, and his wife, Rosalie, of Mount Union, R.R.; Lawanda Shaffer, and her husband, Robert, of McConnellstown; Sonie Whitesel, and her companion, Charles Bump, of Huntingdon, R.R.; and Bonnie Buchli of Kernersville, N.C. A number of nieces and nephews survive as well. Mr. Lantz was a chapter member of Cedar Crest-Lucy Furnace Bible Chapel. He graduated from Captain Jack High School with the Class of 1955. He had been employed by Robin Footwear and Harbison-Walker Refractories, both in Mount Union. With his wife, he owned and operated Lantz' Store along Kistler Road for many years. He bowled many years in the Southern Huntingdon Men's League and the Tuesday Night Mixed League at Holiday Bowl in Mill Creek. He loved hunting and fishing and was an avid golfer. Mr. Lantz was a loving family man and especially loved spending time with his grandson. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at the Robert D. Heath Funeral Home, Mount Union, with Pastor Jeff Winstead officiating. Interment will be made in Haven Rest Memorial Park, Shirleysburg, R.R. 1. Friends will be received at the funeral home from 7-9 p.m. today, Saturday, April 30 and from 9 a.m. until the time of the service Sun- day. The Rev. Nelson Oscar Neville Born and reared in Robertsdale The Rev. Nelson Oscar Neville, 62, of 341 Stouffer Ave., Chambers-burg, died at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2005, at his home. He was in failing health for the past year and critically ill since October 2004. Born Jan. 10, 1943, in Robertsdale, he was the son of the late Morton and Margaret (Swope) Neville. He lived his early life in Robertsdale and attended Robertsdale High School. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Faye (Heinbaugh) Neville: a daughter, Lori Wiles of Gardners; two stepdaughters. Sherry Miller of Waynesboro and Lori George of Zullinger; and two stepsons, Mark Burkett of Mercersburg and David Burkett of McConnellsburg. There are two grandchildren, seven step- grandchildren and one great-grandson. Three sisters survive: Mary Brumbaugh of Saxton, Nellie Arcq of Robertsdale and Helen Figard of Bedford, as well as a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters. Rev. Neville was a licensed and ordained minister through More Grace Christian Fellowship of Beaver Falls. He served as pastor of the Interstate Church of God in Greencastle for several years: Harvest Outreach Ministries in Chambersburg from 1999-2001; and presently the Light of Eternity Fellowship in Chambersburg. In his early life, he was employed as a salesperson for Coca-Cola, then Knouse Foods, both in Chambers-burg. He was then a carpenter and foreman for DeRose Industries in Chambersburg for 21 years. Prior to retiring on disability in 1990, he was employed by Mercersburg Academy as the sports equipment manager. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Grove Bowersox Funeral Home. 50 S. Broad St., Waynesboro, with the Rev. Glen E. Hartman officiating. Interment will be made in Mount Zion Cemetery near Mont Alto. Rev. Neville's family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7-9 p.m. Friday Frederick R. Postlethwaite Former Huntingdon resident Frederick R. Postlethwaite, formerly of Huntingdon, passed away Sunday, March 27, 2005, in Boca Raton, Ha. He is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters. Three sisters survive: Jane Hummel and Elizabeth Shafer, both of Huntingdon, and Virginia Replogle of Altoona. A brother, Preston Postlethwaite, preceded him in death. Mr. Postlethwaite was reared in Huntingdon and was a graduate of Yale University. He was a stockbroker and vice president for Paine Webber. Ralph E. "Tex" Rhodes Retired from PennDOT after 28 years of service Ralph E. "Tex" Rhodes, 68, of 213 Church St., Huntingdon, died at 3:23 Tuesday, April 26, 2005, at Altoona Regional Health System, Altoona Hospital Campus. He had been in failing health for the past two months. Born March 19, 1937, in Entriken, he was the son of the late Howard Edward Rhodes and Cleo A. (Brenneman) Rhodes. He was united in marriage to Helen Mae Hoffer July 3, 1971, at the 15th Street United Methodist Church in Huntingdon by the Rev. Raymond Hilliard. Mrs. Rhodes preceded him in death Jan. 17, 2003. He is survived by one son, Ralph E. Wilson of Huntingdon, and five stepchildren: Bonnie S. Parks of Huntingdon; Wanda J. Wilson of Huntingdon; Robert L. Wilson of Three Springs; Donna M. Foor of Vermont; and Charles W. Wilson of Huntingdon. There are two grandchildren, Ralina Wilson of Huntingdon and Merrick Wilson of Ashburn, Va.; and 11 step-grandchildren: Brandy, Elizabeth, John, Amy, Shawn, Donna, Nakeisha, Joshua, Sonya, Logan and Amber. There are also four step-great-grandchildren. Two brothers survive: Dallas Rhodes of Baltimore, Md., and Donald Grove of Camp Hill. He was preceded in death by one brother and one sister. Mr. Rhodes was of the Protestant faith. He was a member of the Frank P. Hommon Post No. 24 American Legion, Huntingdon; Standing Stone Post No. 1754 VFW, Huntingdon; and the Standing Stone Senior Citizens Inc., Huntingdon. He attended the Upper Corner School in Hesston. Mr. Rhodes retired in 1994 from PennDOT after 28 years of service. In his earlier years, he worked for the Penn Hunt Hotel in Huntingdon. He loved trees and tree growing and enjoyed gardening, being outdoors and traveling. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30. at the John B. Brown Funeral Home Inc., 417 Washington St., Huntingdon, with Pastor Georgetta A. "Cookie" Hartley officiating. Interment will be made in Donation Cemetery. Oneida Township, Huntingdon County. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6-9 p.m. Friday and from 1 p.m. until the hour of the service Saturday. Contributions in memory of Mr. Rhodes may be made to the Standing Stone Senior Citizens Inc.. 915 Washington St.. Huntingdon, PA 16652. Erma Elizabeth Rourke Former Mount Union resident Erma Elizabeth Rourke, 83, of Lennon, Mich., and formerly of Mount Union, died Monday, April 4, 2005, at her residence. She was born Dec. 25, 1921, in Mount Union, the daughter of Watson and Stella (Pyles) Wakefield. She was united in marriage to Bernard Rourke, formerly of Mount Union, July 22, 1942. She is survived by her husband and two children, Bernadean Carpenter, and her husband. Spencer, of West Branch, Mich., and Barry Rourke, and his wife. Rose, of Fort Valley, Va. There are nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Two sisters, Goldie Ritchey, and her husband, Elmer, of Harrisburg, and Shirley Byers of Huntingdon. survive, along with several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held April 8 in Swartz Creek, Mich., and interment was made in Flint Memorial Park, Mount Morris, Mich. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Patsy J. Runk Member of the Salvation Army, Huntingdon Patsy J. Runk, 63, of DeForrest Apartments, 400 Ninth St., Huntingdon, died at 10:34 p.m. Monday, April 25, 2005, at Altoona Regional Health System, Altoona Hospital Campus. Born Aug. 26, 1941, in Huntingdon, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin L. and Margaret (Hockenberry) Strausser. She was married to Donald L. Runk who preceded her in death Feb. 16, 2005. She is survived by three daughters: Lerinna Runk of Shade Gap, Rose Wagner of Petersburg and Melissa Russler of Petersburg. There are 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. great-grandchildren. One brother and three sisters survive: Robert Strausser of Dillsburg, Bernadine Royer of Lewistown, Rose Wagner of Lewistown and Jane Summers of Waterfall. She was preceded in death by a son, Donald L. Runk Jr., one brother, Benjamin Strausser Jr., and one sister, Martha Secrest. Mrs. Runk was a member of the Salvation Army in Huntingdon and the Home League of the Salvation Army. She was a homemaker. She loved playing bingo and spending time with her family. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 29, at the Robert E. Peters Funeral Home, Huntingdon, with Salvation Army Major Ronald G. Freiert officiating. Interment will be made in Mountainview Cemetery, Mill Creek. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today, Thursday, and from 9 a.m. until the hour of the service Friday. Martha Elizabeth (Hearn) Thompson Retired in 1969 from the J.B. Kunz Co. Martha Elizabeth (Hearn) Thompson, 98, of James Creek. R.R. 1, for the past four years, and formerly of DeForrest Apartments, Huntingdon, and Walker Township, Huntingdon. R.R. 3, died at 7:38 a.m. Wednesday, April 27, 2005, at the home of her daughter, Barbara, in James Creek. She had been in failing health for the past year. Born Jan. 8, 1907, in Huntingdon, she was the daughter of the late Bert McHenry Hearn and Laura (Krieger) Hearn. She was united in marriage to Martin Luther Thompson March 3, 1924, in Cumberland, Md. Mr. Thompson preceded her in death Dec. 2, 1966. She is survived by one daughter, Barbara A. Morningstar, and her husband, Roy F., of James Creek, R.R. 1, and one son, Robert M. Thompson, and his wife, Darlene (Douglas), of Huntingdon, R.R. 3. There are 16 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. Two daughters-in-law survive, Beverly A. Thompson of Huntingdon, R.R. 3, and Marie Thompson of Harrisburg. She was preceded in death by two sons, Martin L. Thompson Jr. in January 1995, and Richard E. Thompson in April 2001. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Andrew, three great-grandchildren and a niece, Evelyn Romine. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family, having been preceded in death by three sisters: Emilie Johnston. Anna H. Baker and Marguerite Bunn. Mrs. Thompson was of the Protestant faith. She attended public school in Juniata Township, Huntingdon County. For 20 years, she worked in the bindery department of the J.B. Kunz Co., Huntingdon, retiring in December 1969. Prior to her employment at the J.B. Kunz Co., she worked for the Huntingdon Silk Mill. Mrs. Thompson was an avid reader, enjoyed word search puzzles and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at the John B. Brown Funeral Home Inc., 417 Washington St., Huntingdon, with the Rev. James L. Blair officiating. Interment will be made in Huntingdon Memorial Gardens, Walker Township, Huntingdon, R.R. 1. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7-9 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. until the hour of the service Saturday. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Thompson may be made to Hesston Community Chapel, R.R. 1, Box 1A, Hesston. PA 16647; to the Marklesburg Volunteer Fire Co., P.O. Box 446, James Creek, PA 16657; or to Home Nursing Agency Hospice, 900 Bryan St., Suite 7, Huntingdon, PA 16652. Elizabeth G. Wilds Homemaker Elizabeth G. Wilds, 93, a resident of the Extended Care Unit of the Fulton County Medical Center, McConnellsburg, passed away Thursday, April 28, 2005, at the Fulton County Medical Center in McConnellsburg. She was born May 12, 1911, in Fort Littleton, the daughter of the late William and Olive Laidig Wilds. She lived the majority of her life with her sister, Edith. She was a homemaker all her life and was of the Protestant faith. She is survived by three nieces: Janice Cook of Carlisle, Delores Shaw of Somerset and Arlene Pearl of Chambersburg, and one nephew, Leland Wilds of East Stroudsburg. She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters: Edith Wilds, Naomi E. Buterbaugh, and her twin sister, Mary Wilds; and three brothers: William, George and Paul Wilds. Funeral services will be held at Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home Inc. at 2 p.m. Monday, May 2. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will be made in Fort Littleton Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home Inc., 322 N. Second St., McConnellsburg. Ida Jean Williams Former Mount Union resident Ida Jean Williams, 77, formerly of Mount Union, died Wednesday, March 30, 2005, at Wakefield Rehabilitation Center in Kansas. She was born Dec. 31, 1927, in Nashville, Tenn., to Raymond Belle and Lucille Harvey. She married Alonzo Williams Jr. June 16, 1949, in Mount Union where she made her home until August 1988. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alonzo, in 1975 and her mother Lucille Harvey Batey. Mrs. Williams moved to San Diego. Calif., in 1988 and made her home there for about ten years before moving to Junction City, Kan. She was a seamstress and a homemaker. She is survived by four daughters, Brenda Boyd, and her husband, Van, of Junction City, Kan.; Barbara K. Williams of Chambersburg; Nancy J. Williams of Lancaster; and Rachel Chapman and her husband, Kevin, of San Diego, Calif. There are seven grandchildren, Travis Boyd and Marcus Boyd of Junction City, Kan.; Monica Kelso and her husband, Ned, and Melba Adams and her husband, Rondell, all of Chambersburg; Janson Chapman and his wife, Jenn, of Biddeford, Maine; Ashley Chapman of Santa Barbara. Calif.; and Jessica Chapman of San Diego, Calif.; nine great-grandchildren; a sister-in- law, Helen Lewis of Atlantic City, N.J. and several nieces and nephews. A brother, Marion Harvey, preceded her in death. A funeral service was held April 4 in Junction City, Kan. A graveside service will be held in Mount Union Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be given to the American Diabetes Association, c/o Memorial & Honor Program. P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, Ohio 44720. Betty Rebecca "Beckie" (Long) Wisotzkey Operated beauty shop in Huntingdon for 42 years Betty Rebecca "Beckie" (Long) Wisotzkey, 87, of 4533 Meadow Wood Lane, Warriors Mark, and formerly of Huntingdon, died at 4:40 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2005, at her residence following a brief illness. Born March 5, 1918, in Bellefonte, she was the daughter of the late Harry A. Long Sr. and Hazel E. (Trimble) Long. She was united in marriage to Richard Julis Wisotzkey Dec. 31, 1951, in Virginia. Mr. Wisotzkey preceded her in death Oct. 19, 1986. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Fay Long of Warriors Mark, and three nephews and two nieces: Terry L. Long, with whom Mrs. Wisotzkey resided, Clyde E. Long Jr., Denny Carl, Lee Frear and Jane Hawn. She was preceded in death by two brothers and one half-sister, Harry A. Long Jr., Clyde E. Long and Kitty Newcombe. Mrs. Wisotzkey was a member of Abbey Reformed United Church of Christ, Huntingdon. She served the church as a deacon and was a member of the Dorcas class and various committees. With her late husband, she was co- leader of several church youth groups. A charter member of the Standing Stone Garden Club, she was a past president and was active on the steering committee and various other committees. She was a member of District V of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania. She was also a member of the Embroiderers Guild of America Inc. and a member and past president of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Knights Templar Chapter No. 65. Mrs. Wisotzkey attended public schools in Bellefonte and Milesburg. She graduated from Bellefonte High School with the Class of 1937 and the Wilford Academy of Philadelphia in 1942. A beautician for 42 years, she owned and operated Beckie's Beauty Shop in Huntingdon from 1944 until her retirement in 1984. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 29, at the John B. Brown Funeral Home Inc., 417 Washington St., Huntingdon, with the Rev. Nelson J. Wenner officiating. Interment will he made in Mountainview Cemetery, Mill Creek. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. today, Thursday. and from 9 a.m. until the hour of the service Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. c/o Robert E. Shirey, 1009 Mount Vernon Ave., Huntingdon, PA 16652.