Obituaries
Obituaries Week of August 26, 2010
Aug 27, 2010 - 10:24:51 AM

Ruth A. Muffly
    Ruth A. Muffly, 99, formerly of 3400 Buffalo Road, Lewisburg passed away on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010, at RiverWoods, Lewisburg, where she had been a guest.
A native of Baltimore, she was born Feb. 27, 1911, a daughter of the late William Howard and Goldeth Adesta (Belt) Armacost.
    She was a 1932 graduate of Lebanon Valley College where she met her first husband, Russell E. Dennis, who preceded her in death in 1956. Her second husband was Dr. James A. Muffly, a Union county veterinarian who preceded her in death in 1988.
    Following the death of her first husband, she was employed in the Food Service Department of Bucknell University.
    For many years she was the supervisor of the Women’s Dining Hall and retired as Assistant Director of the Food Service Department in 1978.
    Both before and after retirement, she assisted her second husband in his veterinary practice.
    Ruth was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Lewisburg, a member of the Lewisburg Chapter 394, Order of the Eastern Star, and the American Association of University Women.
Ruth was an avid flower and vegetable gardener and for many years, she supplied asparagus from her two large beds to her friends.
    She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Russell E. Jr. and Cathy Dennis, and one granddaughter, Nicole L. Dennis, all of Lewisburg, and nieces and nephews.
    Funeral services were held Wed., Aug. 25, at John H. Shaw III Funeral Home, Market and Eighth streets, Lewisburg. The Rev. Paula M. Gustafson officiated.
    Burial followed in the Lewisburg Cemetery.
    The family asks that donations in Ruth’s memory be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

James T. Lose
    James T. Lose, 84, of 715 Pine Cone Drive East, Mifflinburg passed away at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010, at his residence, surrounded by family.
    He was born Sept. 30, 1925, in Bellefonte, a son of the late Charles S. and Nellie E. (Markle) Lose. On June 22, 1991, in State College, he married the former Twila Heimbach, who survives.
    Jim entered the Army on Dec. 15, 1943, serving in the 36th Tank Battalion, 8th Armed Division during World War II until his honorable discharge on Jan. 24, 1946.
    He was employed by the Mifflinburg School District as a janitor until his retirement in 1997. Prior to working for the school district, Jim worked as a mold maker for Dice Valley Ceramics.
    He was a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints, Northumberland, Union County Sportsman Club, American Legion Post 410, Mifflinburg, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1600, Bellefonte.
    Jim enjoyed working with ceramics, going to yard sales, traveling, and golfing.
    In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons and one daughter-in-law, Robert and Karen Lose, of California, and James Snyder, of Texas; three stepchildren and their spouses, Norman and Kelly Reich, Henry, Jr., and Lisa Reich, and Norma Reich, all of Mifflinburg; nine grandchildren, Jamie, Jeremy, Amanda, Felicia, Ashley, Natasha, Nelson, Maggie, Carrie; and nine great-grandchildren.
    He was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.
    Funeral services were held Tues., Aug. 24, at Forest Hill United Methodist Church. The Rev. Richard L. DeVett officiated.
    Interment was in Forest Hill Cemetery.
    Contributions in Jim’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1948 E. Third St., Williamsport, PA 17701.
    Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Schwartz-Adamo Funeral and Cremation Services, 247 Chestnut St., Mifflinburg.

Douglas M. Spangler
    Douglas M. Spangler, 50, of 409 Dandee Drive, Mifflinburg since 2004, entered into rest at 8:03 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, at Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg.
    He was born April 9, 1960, in Lewisburg, a son of Harold M. and Mary A. (Herb) Spangler, of New Berlin. On Sept. 30, 1984, in the Messiah Lutheran Church, New Berlin, with the Rev. Robert Kerchoff and the Rev. Kenneth Spangler officiating, he married the former Pamela K. Smith, who survives.
    Doug was a 1978 graduate of Mifflinburg Area High School and SUN Area Vo-Tech. During this time, he was a member of the high school golf team.
He was employed by Weis Markets, Mifflinburg, from 1976 to 1984, and since 1984, he was employed at Ritz-Craft, Mifflinburg.
    He was a member of the Dreisbach United Church of Christ, Lewisburg. Doug was a member of the Keeawae Hunting Camp, Mifflin County.  Earlier in life, he was active in the Boy Scouts and Explorers.  
    Doug enjoyed collecting plates and stamps, hunting, and was a Dallas Cowboys fan.  
    In addition his parents and his wife of nearly 26 years, he is survived by one son, Kyle D. Spangler, of Mifflinburg; one daughter, Kayla L. Spangler, of Mifflinburg; one sister and brother-in-law, Teresa E. and Dean Wolfgang, of Winfield; his mother-in-law, Betty A. Smith, of Lewisburg; several nieces and nephews; and his granddog, Keegan, who knew him as “Grampy.”
    Funeral services were held Mon., Aug. 23, at the Dreisbach United Church of Christ, 875 Dreisbach Church Road, Lewisburg. The Rev. Dennis E. Beaver officiated.
    Burial was in the Dreisbach Church Cemetery.
    Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Doug to the Dreisbach United Church of Christ, 875 Dreisbach Church Road, Lewisburg, PA 17837.
    Funeral arrangements were by Roupp Funeral Home, Inc., 8594 Old Turnpike Road, Mifflinburg.

Mildred P. Bastuscheck
    Mildred “Millie” Pauline (Gummo) Bastuscheck, 95, of RiverWoods Nursing Center, Lewisburg since April 2007, and formerly of 101 E. Walnut St., Mifflinburg, went home to be with her Lord at 1:45 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2010.
    Millie was born June 4, 1915, in Warrior’s Mark Township, Centre County, the second of four children to the late Harvey Edward and Mary Agnes (Eves) Gummo. On Nov. 27, 1936, in Hagerstown, Md., Millie married Sterling Alfred Bastuscheck who preceded her on Oct. 12, 1980.
    She was a 1935 graduate of Port Matilda High School.
    Millie was an employee of the Kool-Tex in Mifflinburg for many years and retired in 1976 as an inspector for Huntingdon Silk Mill, Mifflinburg.
    Millie was a member of the Mifflinburg United Methodist Church for 67 years, and served as an active member of the Visitation Committee for many years. When her health permitted she enjoyed helping with church mission activities including the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and the Easter eggs project. She previously served on the administrative board.
    She was an avid reader and enjoyed word search puzzles and bingo well into her nineties.
    Millie was a loving wife, mother and friend. After her husband’s death in 1980 she continued to reach out as a full-time volunteer at RiverWoods Nursing Center for many years. She was an active volunteer within her community and church and received the first annual Charles Winslow service award presented in January 2001 for her dedicated service to the community at large.
    She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Edward Sterling and Patricia (Styers) Bastuscheck, of Mifflinburg; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Mabel Clifford and Patricia Sigel; and one brother, Clarence Gummo.
    Funeral services were held Sat., Aug. 21, at the Mifflinburg United Methodist Church, 279 Market St. The Rev. Ronald A. Warfle and the Rev. William E. Pipp officiated.
    Burial was in the Mifflinburg Cemetery.
    Donations in Millie’s memory may be made to the Building Fund of the Mifflinburg United Methodist Church, 279 Market St., Mifflinburg, PA 17844, or to the Benevolence Fund, RiverWoods Nursing Center, 3201 River Road, Lewisburg, PA 17837.
    Funeral arrangements were by Roupp Funeral Home, Inc., 8594 Old Turnpike Road, Mifflinburg.

Howard J. Fertig
    Howard Jacob Fertig, 81, of 1375 Mountain Road, Mifflinburg passed away at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16, 2010, at Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg.
    He was born May 5, 1929, in Sunbury, a son of the late William Arthur and Esther (Trego) Fertig. On Aug. 6, 1952, he married the former Clara “Pat” Evelyn Pursley, who survives.
    Howard was an Army veteran of the Korean War attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. He was very proud of his service and his country, yet talked very little about it.
    Howard was a self-employed contractor and farmed the family farm.
    Howard enjoyed farming, hunting, fishing, and golf. He also spent many hours talking about the politics of this nation, which he tried to keep up with.
    In addition to his wife of 58 years, he is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Howard James and Christina Fertig, of Mifflinburg; one daughter and son-in-law, Melody and Carl Marks, of Mifflinburg; one sister and brother-in-law, Nancy J. and Sherman Wolf, of Port Treverton; one sister-in-law, Emma Fertig, of Lewisburg; one brother-in-law, Kermit Schrawder, of Wellsboro; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
    In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one brother, Robert Fertig, and one sister, Pauline Schrawder.
    Funeral services were held Fri., Aug. 20, at Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, South Second and St. Louis Streets, Lewisburg. The Rev. James Kline, pastor of Truth and Restoration Church, Milton, officiated.
    Burial with full military honors followed in Winfield Cemetery.
    The family suggests that gifts in Howard’s memory be made to the Disabled American Vets William F. Kerstetter No. 24, 126 Baldwin Blvd., Shamokin Dam, PA 17876.



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