Obituaries
Obituaries Week of April 12, 2012
Apr 13, 2012 - 9:21:48 AM

Jean H. Keister
    Jean H. Keister, 80, of Hoffa Mill Road, Lewisburg, passed away on Friday afternoon, April 6, 2012, at her home.
    She was born July 19, 1931, in Woodward, a daughter of the late Roy Fiedler and Velma (Snook) Miller. On April 17, 1949, she married Myron E. Keister who preceded her in death Nov. 16, 2007.
    The couple farmed and Jean managed the swine operation at the farm.
    She was an active member of Calvary Chapel of Millmont and for many years helped in church Bible schools.
    Jean was a prolific quilter and had a passion for missions She used her quilting gift to help with the Lakota Indian Mission in the Dakota’s. She loved caring for her flowers, especially her roses and will be remembered for always giving and helping others. The great joy of Jeans life was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
    She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Judy and Harry Coudriet, of Morrisdale, and Brenda and Paul Diffenderfer, of Mifflinburg; two sons and daughters-in-law, Francis and Ruth Keister, of Middleburg, and David and Kay Keister, of Mifflinburg; 17 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; one sister, Cleora Schramm, of Freeport, Ill.; two brothers, Sterle Fiedler, of Aaronsburg and Darrel Fiedler, of Milroy; and two half sisters, Rhetta Campbell, of Freeport, Ill., and Sandra Moore, of Orangeville, Ill.
    She was preceded in death by two daughters, Donna Kuhns in 1997, and Susan Keister in 1998, and one great-granddaughter.
    Funeral services were conducted Tues., April 10, at Calvary Chapel, 930 Orchard Road, Millmont. The Rev. Jeffrey West officiated.
    Burial was in the Hartleton Cemetery.
    Arrangements were by the Hummel Funeral Home, 574 Hill St., Middleburg.

Wilhelma Christina “Helma” Forsythe
    Wilhelma Christina “Helma” Forsythe, 88, of Honey Brook, formally of Malvern and Lewisburg, passed away at 5:35 a.m. Saturday, April 7, 2012, at Tel Hai Retirement Home, Honey Brook.
    She was born May 20, 1923, in Eldagsen, Germany, the daughter of the late August and Louisa (Brockman) Lehnhoff. On Feb. 1945, she married Elisha Barton Forsythe who passed away on Feb. 6, 1974.  
    She was a 1940 graduate of Eastern Mennonite School, Harrisonburg, Va.
    Helma was a long time member of the Frazer Mennonite Church. While residing in Lewisburg, she attended Buffalo Mennonite Church.
    Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Erika and John Light, of Frazer, Pamela K. and William B. Long, of Trout Run; two sons and daughters-in-law, Karl B. and Ellen L. Forsythe, of Mifflinburg, and Lansing A. and Karen Forsythe, of East Earl; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; one sister and brother-in-law, Erika L. and the Rev. C. Ralph Malin, of Frazer.
    Services were conducted privately at Frazer Mennonite Church Cemetery.
    Memorial contributions in Helma’s memory may be made to Frazer Mennonite Church, 57 Maple Linden Lane, Frazer, PA 19355.
    Funeral arrangements were by the Dominick T. Adamo Funeral Home, 247 Chestnut St., Mifflinburg. To share in an online remembrance, please visit www.adamofh.com.

Marion Louise Ditzler
    Marion Louise Ditzler, 90, of Mifflinburg, passed away on March 5, 2012, while living with family in Hobe Sound, Fla.
    Marion was born March 21, 1921, a daughter of the late David and Mabel (Keefer) Sotzin. She was married Sept. 7, 1946, to Ivan E. Ditzler who preceded her in death in 2001.
    Marion a graduate of Pine Grove High School.
    She retired from Heyser Landscaping in Norristown, and enjoyed retirement with her beloved husband at their Mifflinburg cabin.
    She was an active member of Lincoln Chapel United Methodist Church, Laurelton.
    Marion enjoyed the friendship of many at both the Senior Centers in Laurelton and in Palm Beach County, Fla., where she was always available for a game of bingo or Scrabble. Above all else, Marion was devoted to her family. She was also an avid cross stitcher, reader and loved to complete crossword puzzles. She loved to pamper her dog, Toby.
    She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Tyrone E. and Linn Ditzler, of Marysville; one granddaughter, Cari L. Glunz and husband, Greg, of Harrisburg; and one grandson, Michael J. Ditzler and wife, Molly, of Salem, Ala.
    She was preceded in death by her sister, Emily Wenrich, and her brother, Joseph Sotzin.  
    A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 21, 2012, at the Lincoln Chapel United Methodist Church, Laurelton.
    Burial will be in the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Lebanon, at the family’s convenience.  
    In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lincoln Chapel United Methodist Church, 2350 Paddy Mountain Road, Laurelton, PA 17835.

Howard W. Wolfe
    Howard W. Wolfe, 85, who lived on his farm at 1301 Chestnut St., Mifflinburg entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
    He was born Feb. 6, 1927, in Lewisburg, the son of the late Wendell and Clara (Stuck) Wolfe. On March 27, 1948, he married the former Grace Smith, with whom he shared 52 years before her death on Sept. 2, 2000.
    Howard was a 1944 graduate of Mifflinburg High School.
    He was an accomplished gunsmith and established Wolfe’s Gun Shop in Mifflinburg. He also devoted much of his time to farming.
    He was Methodist.
    Howard was a member of the National Rifle Association as well as a charter member and past president of the 1000 Yard Benchrest Club. He entered many competitive shooting competitions over the years. Early in life, he drove truck and flew small planes. He also spent time out West, where he enjoyed long-range hunting.
    Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Glenda Wolfe, of Mifflinburg; two daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and William Kerstetter and Darlene and Dennis Stahl, all of Mifflinburg; five grandchildren, Ricky Kerstetter, Dana Walter, Rachel Dagle, Sadie Stahl and Roberta Wolfe; eight great-grandchildren, Jacob, Hannah, Gabriella, Kendrisa, Molly, Sean, Evan and Lily; and one great-great-granddaughter, Mallory.
    In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by three sisters, Dorothy Bower, Thelma Guyer and AnnaLouise Catherman.
    Funeral services were held Tues., April 10, at the Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, South Second and St. Louis streets, Lewisburg. The Rev. Judi A. Dunkelberger, pastor of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Lewisburg, officiated.
    Burial followed in Lewisburg Cemetery.
    Expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cronrathgrenoblefuneralhome.com.

Jay P. “Jeff” Kratzer
    Jay P. “Jeff” Kratzer, 79, of 104 Hazelwood Drive, Selinsgrove passed away late Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at the Manor at Penn Village, Selinsgrove.
    He was born Jan. 17, 1933, in Monroe Township, Snyder County, a son of the late Paul E. Kratzer and Dora Ellen (Specht) Kratzer Griner. He was married for 30 years to the former Audrey Crozier before her death in 1990.
    He attended Selinsgrove schools and was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the Army.
    Jeff had been employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad, and he retired in 1991 after 30 years of service at Princess Homes, Selinsgrove.
    He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Kratzerville, and the New Berlin American Legion.
    Jeff loved to hunt and fish.
    He is survived by one brother, Richard Kratzer, of Mifflinburg; two sisters, Meriam Brandiff, of Mifflinburg, and Nancy Richard, of Vicksburg; his companion of the past 20 years, Anna Pupo, of Marion Heights; and many nieces and nephews.
    In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by one son, Jeffery Allen Kratzer, and his twin brother, Ray G. Kratzer.
    Funeral services were held Tues. April 10, at Zion Lutheran Church, Kratzerville. The Rev. Breen Marie Sipes officiated.
    Burial with military honors was in Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery.
    Contributions to honor Jeff’s memory may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, Route 204, Selinsgrove, PA 17870.    
    Arrangements were by the V.L. Seebold Funeral Home, 601 N. High St., Selinsgrove.

Roy Bert Thornburg
    Roy Bert Thornburg, 74, of Lewisburg, died at 3 p.m. Monday, April 2, 2012, at Rolling Hills Manor, Millmont, after being admitted earlier this month following a diagnosis of cancer in November.
    Born April 29, 1936, in Lewistown, he was a son of the late Oliver and Frances (Leahy) Thornburg.
    Mr. Thornburg was a U.S. Marine and was in active service from 1953 through 1956. He was a member of the Watsontown American Legion Post 323.
    He finished concrete and serviced the Wastontown and surrounding communities for over 20 years.
    Mr. Thornburg coached Little League Baseball for several seasons.
    He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Roy B. and Theresa Thornburg of Bellefonte; three grandchildren, Zane, Catalina and Oliver; a brother, Earl Thornburg of Milton; and four sisters, Samantha Ditzler of Decatur, Ala.; Myrna Brady of Harrisburg; Bernita Yost of Lewisburg; and Peggy Cromis of West Milton.
    He was preceded in death by son, Timothy; sisters, Mildred A. Thornburg, Naomi Seibert and Virgil Smith; and brothers, William and Emery Thornburg.
    Should friends so desire, gifts in his memory can be made to: Evangelical Hospice, 1 Hospital Drive, Lewisburg, PA 17837 or Warrior Run Little League, 1100 Main St., Watsontown, PA 17777.



© Copyright 2012 by Mifflinburg Telegraph Weekly Newspaper