Obituaries
Obituaries Week of December 22, 2011
Dec 22, 2011 - 2:07:11 PM

Nancy C. Balban
    Nancy C. Balban, 75, of Millmont, formerly of Woodward, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at Rolling Hills Manor, Millmont.
    She was born July 21, 1936, a daughter of the late Ellery R. and Sara Martin Shreckengast. On March 20, 1954, Nancy married Rufus C. Balban, who survives at their home in Woodward.
    Nancy attended East Penns Valley High School and was a graduate of the American School in Chicago.
    Nancy was a member of Penns Valley Family Life, Spring Mills.
    She had been employed at Gettig Pharmaceuticals and also did housecleaning for several local businesses. Above all else, though, Nancy was a full time mom, loving wife and grandmother, providing wonderful care for her family.
    She enjoyed crocheting, gardening and decorating her home. Her home in Woodward will be remembered for the many seasonal decorations that she adorned it with. Nancy’s passing leaves an empty void in our hearts, and her family and friends will miss her quick wit and laughter.
    In addition to her husband of 57 years, Nancy is survived by two children, Camilla “Cam” Hironimus and husband Jim, of Coburn, and Jonathan Balban and wife Sharon, of Spring Mills; grandchildren, Bret Holmes and wife Erin, of Baltimore, Md., and Isaac and Jeremiah Balban, of Spring Mills; one sister, Agnes Jernigan, of Aulander, N.C.; and numerous nieces, nephews and close friends.
    Nancy was preceded in death by siblings, Barbara Sanford and Warren, John and Ellery Shreckengast Jr.
    In accordance with Nancy’s wishes, a public graveside service was held Wed., Dec. 21, in Salem Lutheran Cemetery, Aaronsburg. Pastor K.R. Mele officiated.
    Contributions in memory of Nancy may be given to Penns Valley Family Life, 3596 Penns Valley Road, Suite D, Spring Mills, PA 16875.
    The Steven R. Neff Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements.

Theresa L. Monrad
    Theresa L. Monrad of 1308 Reed St., Woodsboro, Tx passed away Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas from injuries she sustained from a fire at her home on November 25, 2011.
    She was born Oct. 12, 1963 in Lewisburg. Her parents Carolyn and Maxwell Reich of Beaver Springs and Roy Dietrich of Mifflinburg survive. On March 16, 2009 she married her longtime friend and companion Kenneth K. Monrad who remains hospitalized after the same fire at their home.
    Theresa was a 1981 graduate of Mifflinburg High School.  Later she attended nursing school and attained her LPN license.
    For the past 17 years she was employed at Corpus Christi State Hospital as a nurse.  Prior to that, she worked as a Residential Services Aide at Laurelton Center, Laurelton, PA.
    During her leisure time, Theresa loved to be outdoors. She spent Thanksgiving day boating and fishing with her husband on a local river where she was especially excited to have caught the “big one.” She enjoyed working in her garden and canning the vegetables she grew.  She loved camping and riding her motorcycle.   
    In addition to her husband and parents, she is survived by two stepchildren Tiffany and Sam Monrad of Corpus Christi, one sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Mark Bingaman of Millmont, one half-brother, Robert Dietrich, of Mifflinburg, three stepbrothers, Jason Grove, of Lewisburg, Todd Reich, of Beaver Springs, Shawn Reich and wife Dana of Beaver Springs, one step-sister, Eugina Stephens, of Sunbury, two brothers-in-law, Bill Monrad of Austin, Charles Monrad and wife Kim, of Corpus Christi, a sister-in-law, Connie Mckinny of Corpus, a father and mother-in-law, Jay and Opal Monrad of Woodsboro, Texas,  and one paternal grandmother Isabel Dietrich, Mifflinburg.  She also leaves behind nieces and nephews including, Shanda and Neil Bardo, Garrett, Chelynn and Keyen Bingaman, Dakota Dietrich, Hannah and Connor Grove, Kyle and Rainee Stephens, Hayes and Karrah Reich, and her good friends David and Debbie Castleberry of Corpus Christi, Texas.
    There will be no public viewing or visitation.
    Contributions may be sent to Theresa and Kenneth Monrad Benefit Fund c/o First National Bank of Woodsboro, PO Box 730 Woodsboro, Tx 78393.

Clint James Holthus
    Clint James Holthus, 35, who was raised on Old Orchard Lane in Mifflinburg, was laid to rest on Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, in Houston, Texas.
    Clint was born Oct. 29, 1976, in Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg, the second son of the late Nancy Ann Holthus.
    Born with bilateral fused cochleas, Clint began learning sign language at the Geisinger Audiology Department and later attended high school at the Scranton School for the Deaf. After graduation, he enrolled at RIT, where he obtained a two-year degree from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf.
    Anyone who knew Clint knew his passion for golf. By the age of 10, Clint had collected more than 10,000 golf balls. He had golf balls in every color, from practically everywhere in the world. Even his fish tank was filled with golf balls. In 1998, he placed 13th at the 19th annual Abbottstown Golf Tournament, his very first golf tournament. He ate, slept and played golf.
    Tragically, his life was shortened by complications resulting from an automobile accident.
    He is survived by his daughter, Juliette; one brother, Jay, of Lewisburg; and his father, James, who lives in Casa Grande, Ariz.
    Contributions may be made in Clint’s memory and sent directly to the Scranton School for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired. Checks should be made payable to the Scranton School and mailed to Attn: Development Office, Scranton School, 537 Venard Road, South Abington Township, PA 18411. Online donations are accepted at www.thescrantonschool.org.
    Funeral arrangements are by the Roupp Funeral Home Inc., 8594 Old Turnpike Road, Mifflinburg.

Betty K. Kerstetter
    Betty K. Kerstetter, 87, of 111 Market St.,  Mifflinburg passed away unexpectedly at 11:47 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg.
    She was born April 30, 1924, in Brick Church, a daughter of the late William and Belle Nancy (McCullough) Knepshield. On Sept. 3, 1949, she married William K. Kerstetter, who survives. Together they shared 64 years of memories.
    Betty was a graduate of the New York State Teachers College, Buffalo, N.Y.
    She was employed as a home economics teacher for the Mifflinburg Area School District until she married Bill. She then became a homemaker while continuing to be a substitute teacher.
    Betty was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mifflinburg, where she was active with many groups and committees. She was a member of the Mifflinburg Athenaeum Club and the New Berlin Homemakers Club and served on the Mifflinburg Borough Planning Commission.
    Betty enjoyed needlework, sewing, reading, playing cards and doing crossword puzzles. She enjoyed spending time and attending activities of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
    In addition to her husband, she is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Peggy and Michael Rempel, of Williamsport, Linda and Anthony Eaton, of Watsontown, and Sue and Scott Smith, of Mifflinburg; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one brother, William Knepshield, of Kennedyville, Md.
    She was preceded in death by one grandson, Brian M. Beckley, on March 6, 2005, and one sister, Kathryn Jean Long.
    Funeral services were held Wed., Dec. 21,  in First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 404 Market St., Mifflinburg. The Rev. Kris L. Brown and the Rev. Vickie L. Brown officiated.
    Interment was in Hill Top Cemetery, Mifflinburg.
    Contributions in Betty’s memory may be sent to the charity of the donor’s choice.
    Arrangements were entrusted to the Schwartz-Adamo Funeral and Cremation Services, 247 Chestnut St., Mifflinburg. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.schwartzadamo.com.

Wilbur L. “Wil” Ritter
    Wilbur L. “Wil” Ritter, 85, of 138 Meadow Green Dr., Mifflinburg  for 10 years, entered into rest at 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, in the presence of his loving family at his home.
    He was born March 31, 1926, in Watsontown, a son of the late Wilbur L. Sr. and Annie J. (Ellis) Ritter. On May 17, 1952, in St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mayberry Township, he married the former Louise Pensyl, who survives.
    Wil graduated from Watsontown High School. In 1943, he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in the Philippines during World War II. Wil then graduated from Lycoming College in 1950.
    He was employed by Glen Gary Brick Co. for 19 years and later by General Dynamics, Pittsburgh, retiring in 1984.
    He was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, Exchange, where he served on the vestry and was the church treasurer. Wil was most recently a member of Christ’s United Lutheran Church, Millmont. He was a life member of American Legion Post 323, Watsontown, and a 50-year member of Watsontown Free & Accepted Masons Lodge 401. He enjoyed many years of being a Cub Scout leader and was a past member of the Watsontown Borough Council, where he served one term as president.
    Surviving, in addition to his wife of 59 years, are one son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Linda Ritter, of Summerville, S.C.; one daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Danny Sakievich, of Pensacola, Fla; one sister, Joanne Sennewald, of Potomac, Md.; and many nieces and nephews.
    He was preceded in death by two brothers, Gordon and Bill Ritter, and two sisters, Irene Cole and Eleanor Gottschall.
    Funeral services were held Wed., Dec. 21, at Christ’s United Lutheran Church, 13765 Old Turnpike Road, Millmont. The Rev. John Yost, officiated.
    Burial was in Hartleton Cemetery.
    Memorial gifts may be made to either Christ’s United Lutheran Church, 13765 Old Turnpike Road, Millmont, PA 17845, or to Evangelical Hospice, 1 Hospital Drive, Lewisburg, PA 17837.
    Funeral arrangements were by the Roupp Funeral Home Inc., 8594 Old Turnpike Road, Mifflinburg.



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