Obituaries by LocationLesta E. Rathman
Nov. 13, 1914 - Nov. 30, 2001
Lesta E. Rathman, 86, formerly of Reamstown, Lancaster County, died Friday at 3:10 PM in the Evangelical Congregational Church Retirement Village, Myerstown, Lebanon County, where she was a guest for the past 3 ˝ years. Born in Stouchsburg, PA, she was a daughter of the late Howard and Ella (Ranck) Schoener. Her husband, Clarence F. “Beevie” Rathman, Sr., died September 1, 2000. She was a member and former Sunday school teacher of St. Paul’s Evangelical Congregational Church, Reamstown. She retired in 1975 from the former Cinderella Knitting Mill, Denver. Lesta is survived by a son, Clarence “Hank” Rathman, Jr., marriage
to Anneliese (Kratzmann) Rathman, Stevens; a grandson; and 3 sisters, Fern (Schoener) Ream, Adamstown; Elsie (Schoener) Tobias, and Grace (Schoener) Wolf, both of Richland, PA.
Lesta's viewing will be held on Monday evening, December 3, 2001, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in our parlors.
The casket will also be open prior to the service on Tuesday, December 4, 2001, in St. Paul's Evangelical Congregational Church, 56 East Church Street, Reamstown, PA, where The Reverend Kirk R. Marks and The Rev. Melvin H. Stehr will officiate at 10:00 AM.
Burial will follow in Muddy Creek Cemetery, Swartzville, PA.
The family has requested that rather than flowers, contributions in Lesta's memory be sent to the St. Paul's E. C. Church Building Fund, Post Office Box 275, Reamstown, PA 17567-0275 or to the ECC Retirement Village, 7 West Park Avenue, Myerstown, PA 17067.
F. Mildred Payne "Millie"
October 17, 1913 - August 6, 2004
F. Mildred Payne, 90, formerly of Lititz and Ithaca, NY, died Friday morning at 1:55 AM in Conestoga View, Lancaster, where she resided for the past 5 years. Born in Sullivanville, NY, she was a daughter of the late Leon and Maggie W. (Burt) DeGraw. Her husband, Albert H. Payne, died in 1967. She was a member of Salem United Methodist Church, Rothsville, Lancaster County, where she had been active in the Ladies Bible Group. Retiring in 1979, she was employed for 30 years by the Industrial Labor Relations School at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. “Millie” enjoyed bowling, and was a member of the senior groups, Brownstown Young at Hearts and the Rothsville Rabbit Hillers. Surviving are 2 daughters, Monna P. Beardmore, Fairfax, VA ; and Harriet E., marriage to R. Lee Buffenmyer, Lititz, with whom she had resided, 7 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. A son, Frank H. Payne, preceded her in death.
A viewing will be held on Monday, August 9, 2004, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM from our parlors with the ceremony celebrating "Millie's" life beginning at 7:00 PM. The Reverend Mary Jane Kirby will officiate.
A graveside service will take place on Tuesday, August 10, 2004, in Woodlawn Cemetery, Newfield, New York, with The Reverend Thana Kibbe officiating. Mildred will be buried beside her late husband, Albert.
The family asks that you remember her with contributions to her church, Salem United Methodist Church, 1744 Rothsville Road, Rothsville, PA 17543.
Arlene Rathman
August 26, 1932 - July 3, 2005
Arlene Rathman, 72, of 234 Locust Street, New Holland, Lancaster County, died Sunday, July 3, 2005, in the Essa Flory Hospice Center, East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County, where she was a guest for the past week. Born August 26, 1932, in Churchtown, Lancaster County, she was a daughter of the late Raymond and Anna (Horning) Shirk, and was the wife of John A. Rathman for 50 years. Retiring in 1991, she had been employed for many years at Ford New Holland. A 1950 graduate of New Holland High School, she enjoyed bingo, playing cards, crocheting, quilting and traveling to the beach and mountains. Surviving in addition to her husband are 3 daughters, Lisa K., wife of Jody Leakey, Akron, PA; Janelle L., wife of Linford Martin, Mohnton, PA; and Barbara J., wife of Keith Horst, Manheim, PA; a son, John A., Jr., husband of Traci (Walker) Rathman, Perrysville, OH; 10 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Betty, wife of Bob Tshudy, New Holland, PA; and Anna Mae, wife of Allen Wenrich, Morgantown, PA; and 4 brothers, Elam, husband of Mary (Hart) Shirk, East Earl, PA; Leon, husband of Shirley (Buzzard) Shirk, New Holland, PA; Eugene, husband of Emma (Bannon) Shirk, Churchtown, PA; and Harold, husband of Ethel (Haas) Shirk, Morgantown, PA. She was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Beam, and a brother, Earl Shirk.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2005, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at our parlors.
A celebration of Arlene's life will be held on Thursday morning, July 7, 2005, at 10:00 AM from Good Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, Inc. of Reamstown, with Pastor Brian E. Martin officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant View Cemetery, Spring Township, Berks County, PA.
Contributions in Arlene's memory may be sent to Hospice of Lancaster County, Post Office Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.
Grace Lied Rathman
December 17, 1913 - May 5, 2004
Grace Lied Rathman, 90, formerly of Reamstown, died Wednesday, May 5, 2004, at 4:10 PM in Ephrata Manor, Ephrata, PA, where she had resided for the past 5 years. Born in Red Run, Lancaster County, she was a daughter of the late Harry L. and Sallie (Hoffman) Lied. Her husband, Theodore "Seedy" Rathman died July 2, 2002. She was a member of Salem United Church of Christ, Reamstown, where she sang in the choir for many years. Grace was employed for 35 years as a cook and cafeteria worker for the Cocalico School District at the Reamstown Elementary School. A 1933 graduate of East Cocalico Vocational School, Reamstown, shew was the salutatorian of her class. She enjoyed fishing, crocheting and knitting. Surviving is a daughter, Joanne T., marriage to E. Allen Fritz, Lancaster, PA; 2 sons, Larry L., marriage to Jane M. (Shirk) Rathman, Stevens, PA; and Kenneth R., marriage to Bonnie S. (Bixler) Rathman, Denver, PA; 12 Grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
A viewing will be held on Sunday afternoon, May 9, 2004, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM with the service celebrating Grace's life beginning at 4:00 PM. Her pastor, The Reverend Stephen E. Hollinger, will officiate.
Burial will take place on Monday morning, May 10, 2004, at 10:00 AM in Pleasant View Cemetery, Spring Township, Berks County, PA. If you plan to attend the graveside, please meet a few minutes prior to the service.
Ona G. Rathman
October 17, 1915 - May 14, 2002
Ona G. Rathman, 86, of 1065 North Reading Road, Stevens, Lancaster County, died in her home Tuesday morning at 7:50 AM of natural causes. Born in West Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, she was a daughter of the late Morris W. and Lizzie (Gerhart) Mohler. Her husband, Clayton F. Rathman, died April 18, 1967. She attended Mohler Church of the Brethren, Ephrata, and was a 1934 graduate of Denver High School. Mrs. Rathman was a supervisor at the former Berkshire Knitting Mills, Wyomissing, for 30 years. She was later employed until retiring by Ed Stoudt’s Black Angus Restaurant, Antique Mall and Brewery, Adamstown. Surviving is a son, Donald R., marriage to Mae I. (Nolt) Rathman, Denver, PA; 2 grandsons and a great-granddaughter; a brother, Ira G., marriage to Dorothy Mohler, Reading, PA; 2 sisters, Ida G. Flail, Schuylkill Haven, PA; and Rhe G. Robinson, Reading, PA.
Ona's viewing will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2002, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM from Mohler Church of the Brethren, 21 East Mohler Church Road, Ephrata, PA.
The funeral ceremony will be held from our funeral home on Friday, May 17, 2002, at 2:00 PM with The Reverend Phil Reynolds officiating. Interment will follow in Pleasant View Cemetery, Sinking Sprink, PA.
Rather than flowers, please remember Ona with contributions to the Cocalico Senior Association, 178 Muddy Creek Church Road, Denver, PA 17517.
Theodore Rathman
May 8, 1915 - July 2, 2002
Theodore “Seedy” Rathman, 86, formerly of Reamstown, Lancaster County, died Tuesday morning at 4:50 AM in Ephrata Manor, 99 Bethany Road, Ephrata, Lancaster County, where he resided for the past 3 years. Born in Reamstown, he was a son of the late Fred and Emma (Fry) Rathman, and was the husband of Grace (Lied) Rathman for 67 years on June 1st. He was a member of Salem United Church of Christ, Reamstown. Retiring in 1980, he was employed for over 30 years as a carpenter for the former Ray Lied & Son Builder, Inc., Reamstown. Earlier he worked at the former Berkshire Knitting Mills, Wyomissing, and Armstrong Cork Company, Lancaster. “Seedy” was a member of Ephrata Lodge #665 Free & Accepted Mason and the Reading Consistory, a charter member of the East Cocalico Lions Club, Reamstown, and former championship coach of the Reamstown Athletic Association’s Softball & Basketball Teams. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, having been a member of the Muddy Creek Hunting Club for over 50 years. He was valedictorian of his 1933 graduating class of East Cocalico Vocational School, Reamstown. Surviving in addition to his wife, is a daughter, Joanne T., marriage to E. Allen Fritz, Lancaster, PA; 2 sons, Larry L., marriage to Jane M. (Shirk) Rathman, Stevens, PA; and Kenneth R., marriage to Bonnie S. (Bixler) Rathman, Denver, PA; 12 Grandchildren and 17 Great-grandchildren.
"Seedy's" viewing will be held on Friday, July 5, 2002, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM from our funeral home. The ceremony will begin at 11:00 AM with is pastor, The Reverend Stephen E. Hollinger, officiating. Burial in Pleasant View Cemetery, Sinking Spring, Berks County, PA, will follow.
The family asks that rather than flowers, contributions in his memory be sent to Salem United Church of Christ, Box D, Reamstown, PA 17567.
Richard D. Texter
December 5, 1932 - February 12, 2002
Richard D. Texter, 69, of 641 Mohns Hill Road, Sinking Spring, Berks County, died Tuesday evening in Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, where he was a patient since February 3rd. Born in Vinemont, Berks County, he was a son of the late Harvey K. and Julia (Milander) Texter, and was the husband of Joan C. (Zimmerman) Texter for 49 years on January 17th. He was a member of Wyomissing United Church of Christ, Gouglersville, Berks County. A 1951 Graduate of Wilson High School, he was an Army corporal during the Korean War, having served in Germany. Retiring in 1994, he was employed for 35 years by Carpenter Technology, Reading. Texter was a member of West Reading Lodge #62 Free & Accepted Masons, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Consistory – Valley of Reading, Reinholds VFW, Gouglersville Fire Company and the PA Trappers Association. Surviving in addition to his wife is a son, Daniel M. Texter, Sinking Spring; 4 daughters, Ann E. (Texter), marriage to Edward J. Skiba, and Kimberly A. (Texter), marriage to Chip Whitekettle, both of Leesport; Christine L. (Texter), marriage to Danny L. Kindt, Robesonia; and Jamie L. (Texter), marriage to Jay M. Fisher, Fleetwood; and 2 grandchildren. Also surviving are 2 sisters, Jean E. (Texter), marriage to Richard S. Bair, Reinholds; and Elsie A. (Texter), marriage to Donald L. Enck, Valparaiso, Indiana.
Richard's viewing will be held on Friday, February 15, 2002, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM from our parlors. The funeral will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2002, at 1:00 PM at our facility with his pastors, The Reverend Elmer B. Reinhold, Jr. and The Reverend Rebecca E. Brenner, officiating with interment following in Swamp Cemetery, Reinholds, PA.
The family requests that flowers not be sent. Please remember Richard with contributions to the Memorial Fund of Wyomissing United Church of Christ, 2 Vermont Road, Sinking Spring, PA 19608.
