Obituaries by LocationMary Mendenhall Congdon
Lifetime of service
Mary Mendenhall Congdon, 88, of Willow Valley, Lancaster, PA Died January 5, 2005 at Lancaster Regional Medical Center.
Daughter of the late Clarence H. and Mary Rathfon Mendenhall.
Mrs. Congdon was known for her genuine caring and helping others. She also faced many serious illnesses with determination and grit.
She was a registered nurse at Taylor Hospital for thirty six years retiring in 1975.
Employment: First School Nurse for the Delaware County Christian School, Newtown Square, PA also worked for Dr. Jose G. Tiongson, Jr., Ridley Park, PA.
She graduated from Glen-Nor High School class of 1936 and Methodist Hospital School of Nursing Class of 1939.
Memberships: Wesley United Methodist Church, Quarryville, PA. Former member of the Blue Church, Springfield, PA where she was also a member of OWLS (Older Wiser Loving Seniors). Member of the Alumni Association of Methodist Hospital; Mrs. Congdon was honored by Taylor Hospital for her exemplary service and is a member of the Wall of Honor at the hospital.
She enjoyed sewing, cake baking and decorating, making jewelry, traveling and especially family trips to the Pocono Mountains.
She was the wife of the late Paul D. Congdon, husband of fifty two years at his death
in 1994. SURVIVORS: daughter, May Jane Congdon, Wallingford, PA. Son, Paul D. Congdon, Jr., West Goshen, PA. Sister, Marguerite Rolls, Willow Valley, Brother, William Mendenhall, Kirkwood, PA. Sister of the late Clarence Mendenhall, Henry Mendenhall and Doris Porteous. One grandson and 2 Great Grandchildren.
Funeral service will be 1:00PM Monday at the Norwood United Methodist Church, 315 Chester Pike, Norwood, PA.
Visitation: 7:00PM to 9:00PM Sunday at the White-Luttrell Funeral Home, 311 N. Swarthmore Avenue, Ridley Park, PA.
Interment: Edgewood Memorial Park, Concord Township, PA
Donations: Memorial gifts to the Wesley United Methodist Church, Box 364, Quarryville, PA 17566.
Robert C. Brooks
Robert C. Brooks, 92, Willow Valley, Lancaster, and formerly of Syracuse, NY, died January 10, 2005 at Willow Valley.
Born in Syracuse, he was the son of the late Colin and Mildred Brooks. He was marriage 62 years to Audrey W. Brooks. Robert worked for Crucible Steel Co. in Syracuse for 42 years and also as a volunteer at Upstate Medical Center for 20 years. He was an Eagle Scout and received the Silver Beaver Award for outstanding achievement. Robert was a member of Rockefeller Memorial Methodist Church in Syracuse.
Surviving besides his wife, Audrey, is a daughter, Caroline B. Johnson of Orlando, FL; 2 sons, David R. Brooks of New Canaan, CT and Steven H. Brooks of Darien, CT; 2 sisters-in-law, Lorraine LaPrease of Lancaster and Bonita Springs, FL and also Fay Brooks of Wooster, OH; 9 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A brother, Richard Brooks, preceded Robert in death.
There will be no calling hours. Contributions can be made in Robert s memory to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. Dewald Funeral & Cremation Services, Quarryville, PA is assisting the family.
Jean F. Groff
Published: Jan 14, 2005
Jean F. Groff, 65, of 147 Cherry Hill Road, Ronks, died suddenly on Wednesday after being stricken ill while shopping with her husband. She was the wife of John R. Groff for over 33 years.
Mrs. Groff graduated from New Kensington High School and attended Linden Hall Junior College, and the New Kensington Commercial College.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg. She was active with the Lancaster Association of Retarded Children and had worked at many local tourist attractions. Mrs. Groff was also a member of Farm Women 14, Strasburg, the National Railroad Historical Society, the Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the Strasburg Heritage Society and the Philanthropic Educational Organization.
Mrs. Groff was born in Pittsburgh, but lived in New Kensington. She was the daughter of the late E. Lester and Tydfil J. Fix. She is survived by her husband, a brother: John R., marriage to Maria N. Fix of Stonington, Connecticut.
VIEWING: Monday from 10 until 11 AM in the First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg, 101 South Decatur Street, Strasburg, PA. FUNERAL: Monday at 11 AM in the church, with The Reverend Steven W. Clark officiating. Interment in Strasburg Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Jean s Memory to First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg Music Fund, 101 S. Decatur St., Strasburg, PA 17579. Arrangements by the Bachman Funeral Home, Strasburg, PA.
S. Ernest Kilgore
S. Ernest Kilgore, 103, of Lancaster died Monday, January 17, 2005 at The Willow Valley Manor Retirement Community where he had been a resident since 1985. He was the husband of the late Margaret F. Kilgore who was the first female pharmacist in Lancaster County.
He was born March 26, 1901 in Slab, York County, PA, the son of the late Andrew Randolph and Mary Boyd Kilgore, and was preceded in death by sisters Angie, Irene, Marjorie, and Nell; and brothers Alfred and William. Surviving are Berenice Oviatt (now of Manhattan Beach, CA), wife of Keith Funcheon Oviatt who was Ernest s deceased wife s nephew and nephews Ernest K. Hillard (now of Fulton MO) and William K. Grosh, M.D. (now of Lititz, PA).
After enjoying ten years of country life, his family moved to Lancaster, PA so that the children would have greater educational opportunities. He became a graduate of the Lancaster Boys High School 1918, a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College in 1922, and later received a Masters degree in Education from Penn State. While at Franklin & Marshall, Ernest played varsity football, track and basketball; was glee club director in his Senior year, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Sigma fraternities.
His educational background brought him back to The Lancaster Boys High School where he taught English from 1923 to 1938. J.P. McCaskey High School was then built where he became Dean of Boys from 1938 to 1964 and later was director of Personnel and guidance of Lancaster City schools from 1964 to his retirement in 1966. He served as Treasurer and President of the Community Concert Association, was a Charter Member and past President of the American business Club and held memberships in the Elks BPOE of Lancaster, Masonic Lodge #43, and the Zembo Temple.
Saint James Episcopal Church was a major part of his life. Shortly after coming to Lancaster he joined the boys choir and through the years was a crucifer, was confirmed, became a member and soloist in the adult choir, was elected to the vestry, and finally made a life vestryman. Three organists and choir directors were associated with his singing: George B. Rogers, who also taught him to play the piano, Mr. Giddings, and Frank McConnell. Ernest was a close friend and confidant to the Rectors Clifford Twombly Gray Twombly, Robert Batchelder, and Stanley Imboden. He knew Mary Lou Grassel and Molly Batchelder as children, long before they became leaders in St. James Church and their last names changed to Broucht and Solbak. It was almost impossible to have a conversation of any length with Ernest Kilgore and not have St. James Church mentioned.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Ernie s Life Celebration in a Memorial Service from the St. James Episcopal Church, N. Duke and Orange Sts., Lancaster on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 10am with the Rev. Dr. Nathan D. Baxter, Rev. Dr. Erica Wood and Deacon Molly Solbak officiating. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Please omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to St. James Episcopal Church, N. Duke & Orange Sts., Lancaster, PA 17603. Arrangements by Fred F. Groff Funeral Home, Inc. A Life Celebration Funeral Home
Lee B. Shober
Published: Jan 20, 2005
Lee B. Shober, 69, of Ephrata died Tuesday in Ephrata Community Hospital after an 8 month fight with cancer.
Born in Denver, he was a son of the late Edwin Milton and Mary Mignetta (Bard) Shober. Lee and his wife Gloria celebrated their 41st anniversary on April 20.
Also surviving are; sons Michael L. of Lancaster and Mark A. (Lisa Musto) of Kutztown; a granddaughter Erin N. Shober; brothers R. Brian (Rosalee Fedak) of Sinking Spring, David A. (Mary Kathryn Lawrence) of Fairborn, OH, and Philip E. (Candace E. Kauffman) of Reading. Preceding Lee in death were two brothers Glenn M. and Dale L.
An electrician by trade, he had been employed by RCA and Yesco and taught Electrical Occupations at Berks and Lancaster Vo Tech. Lee also worked part-time for NELCO Lumber and Sprecher's Hardware. A life member of Faith United Evangelical Lutheran Church, Denver, he was a former Church Council President, was instrumental in the church renovations, a Sunday School teacher, and member of the church choir. He sang for the Cloister Chorus for 20 years and the Heritage Chorale for 10 years. Active in the Boy Scouts, Lee and his mother started the Cub Scout program in Denver. He was a Past-President, National Director and JCI Senator with the Ephrata Jaycees. A Past-President of the Denver Alumni Association, he was a graduate of Denver High School, 1953, a graduate of Stevens Trade School and Temple University. An avid sports fan, Lee loved the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies, Penn State and playing golf.
Viewing Saturday 9-11am, Funeral 11:00am in Faith United Evangelical Lutheran Church, 357 Walnut St., Denver with Rev. Larry G. Hummer officiating. Interment in Pleasant View Cemetery, Sinking Spring. The family prefers memorial contributions be made in Lee's memory to his church.
Kathryn D. (Messner) Bleacher
Kathryn D. (Messner) Bleacher, 85 Years old, of Robeson Twp., Berks Co., PA died on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 in her residence.
Born in Reading, Berks Co., PA, she was a daughter of the late M. Mable (Rothenberger) and Charles H. Messner.
She was the wife of Oliver E. Bleacher, at home.
Mrs. Bleacher was a homemaker.
She was a member of St. John s United Church of Christ, Gibraltar, PA.
She also was a member of Birdsboro Senior Citizens.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons: Steve A. Bleacher of Robeson Twp., Berks Co., PA and Kurt A. Bleacher of Bath, PA. There is one daughter: Loretta M. (Bleacher) Brown of Robeson Twp., Berks Co., PA There are two sisters: Mary Ellen (Messner) Grant of Reiffton, PA and Mildred A. (Messner) Huyett of Exeter Twp., Berks Co., PA. There are four grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
Funeral services will be held in St. John s United Church of Christ, Gibraltar, PA on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 2:00PM. Interment will be in St. John s Cemetery. A viewing will be held at the church on Wednesday from 1:00-2:00PM.
Memorial Contributions may be made to St. John s United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 276, Birdsboro, PA 19508.
Katharine “Cookie” Steffy
Katharine Cook Steffy, 82, a resident of South Broad St., Lititz, died January 21, 2005 at Masonic Village, Elizabethtown, PA. Born in Chambersburg, PA, she was the daughter of the late Charles A. and Fannie Stratton Cook. Her husband, the late Eugene L. Steffy, died in December 1992.
She was a member of St. Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lititz.
A graduate of Chambersburg High School, Class of 1939, and of Wilson College, Class of 1943, she taught English in the former Lititz High School and later in the Carlisle High School. All her life she volunteered as a tutor for any student needing help in English.
For seven years she was the Lititz correspondent for the three Lancaster newspapers.
A former member of the Association of University Women, she also served on the Advisory Board of the Lancaster County Bureau of Children and Youth Services.
During the thirty years that she was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Lititz Public Library, she recruited and trained the volunteer workers.
An active member of the Studebaker Driver s Club, in 2001 she was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Keystone Region Chapter. She was also a member of the Red Rose Antique Car Club of Lancaster County for more than fifty years.
She was a member of the Lititz Historical Foundation and the Ladies Auxiliary to the American Legion, Post 56, Lititz.
Surviving are her loving children, a son, Charles T. Steffy of Fredericksburg, VA and Altamonte Springs, FL and a daughter, Carolyn S. Rozman, wife of Gregory J. Rozman, Hummelstown, PA and two grandchildren, Katharine F. Rozman and Anthony L. Rozman.
A private interment will be held at the convenience of the immediate family.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service to celebrate her life on Tuesday, January 25, 2005, at 2:00 P.M. at St. Paul s Lutheran Church, 200 West Orange St., Lititz, PA. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the Service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to the Lititz Public Library, 651 Kissel Hill Road, Lititz, PA 17543. Richard H. Heisey Funeral Home, 216 South Broad St., Lititz, PA is serving the family. Phone: 717-626-2464.
