Obituaries
Obituaries Week of March 11, 2010
Mar 12, 2010 - 11:40:25 AM

Mervin Luther Maurer
    Mervin Luther Maurer, 96, of 29 Grayson View Court, Selinsgrove entered into rest on Monday, March 8, 2010, at 3:06 a.m. in the Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg, where he was a patient since Sunday afternoon. Prior to residing at Grayson View, he was a resident of RR1, Winfield, Jackson Township his entire life.
    He was born Sept. 1, 1913, in Jackson Township, Snyder County, a son of the late Ammon Lester and Nellie Jane (Wetzel) Maurer. On Dec. 13, 1932, in New Berlin, he married the former Miriam Anna Hollenbach, who preceded him in death on April 17, 1947. On Aug. 18, 1956, in Kratzerville, he married the former Mary Alice Maurer, who passed away on Nov. 6, 1982, and on Feb. 14, 1984, in Kratzerville, he was married to the former Lorena E. Ulrich who died on Dec. 10, 1997.
    He attended the Hazlett’s School, Winfield, and was engaged in agriculture in Jackson Township his entire adult lifetime. He also worked for the Snyder County office of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and for Pennsylvania House Furniture, General Interior, Lewisburg.
Mervin was a member of Zion’s Church of Kratzerville, and a member of Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1173, Selinsgrove.
Mervin was well known in the area for his keen knowledge of historical information concerning Snyder and Union counties. His grandfather, the late Harry Daniel Maurer, was a well-known funeral director in New Berlin and RR1 Winfield.
    He is survived by four children and their spouses, Patty A. and Jack L. Ranck, of Milton, Robert E. and Doloras C. Maurer, of Mifflinburg, Richard D. and Nancy L. Maurer, of Carlisle, and Mary Jane Wagner, of Winfield; 11 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 21 great-great-grandchildren; three sisters and one brother-in-law, Margaret J. Brouse, of Freeburg, Elva L. Napp, of Lewisburg, and Nancy L. and William F. Bingaman, of Selinsgrove; and numerous nieces and nephews.
    He was preceded in death by one brother, Kermit Eugene Maurer, of New Berlin, a funeral director who died on June 28, 1984, and his son-in-law, Marvin Wagner on May 10, 2007.
    Relatives and friends will be received from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thurs., March 11, at Schwartz-Adamo Funeral and Cremation Services, 247 Chestnut St., Mifflinburg, followed by the funeral at 11:30, with the Rev. Ricky A. Phillips, pastor of the Mazeppa Union Church and St. John’s Lutheran Church, Dry Valley, officiating.
Interment will be made in New Berlin Cemetery.
    In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the donors favorite charity in honor of Mervin.

William Butler Smith
    William Butler Smith, 88, of 2750 Pleasant Grove Road, Mifflinburg entered into eternal rest on Monday, March 8, 2010 at 3:06 a.m. at Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg
    He was born May 3, 1921, in Limestone Township, Montour County, a son of the late Orval A. and Savannah R. (Diehl) Smith. On Aug. 1, 1952, in Maryland, he was married to the former Mary Ellen Boop. Together, they shared 57 wonderful years.
    William was a graduate of Danville High School.
    He was employed by Bucknell University as a carpenter and retired in 1986 after 42 years of employment.
    He was a member of the Mifflinburg Assembly of God Church, a lifetime member of the Sunbury Federations of Musicians, and a member of the Buffalo Valley Sportsmen’s Club.
    William enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as braiding rugs and bird watching. William was a great storyteller and loved country music. He played guitar with many bands, including “Cactus Jim and his Rangers” and enjoyed calling square dancing with the Joe Murray Band. He loved spending time with his family and will be greatly missed.
    In addition to his wife, William is survived by two sons and two daughters-in-law, William O. and Shelby Smith, of Lewisburg, and Stewart A. and Vivian S. Smith, of Mifflinburg; one daughter and a son-in-law, Connie J. and Steven P. Karchner, of Mifflinburg; nine grandchildren, Annette Feltman, Tammy Sears, Joshua Smith, Bradley Smith, Kimberly Kremer, Kerri Kremer, Kelsey Kremer, Hunter Krancher, Brooke Krancher; four great-grandchildren, Ethan Sears, Erin Sears, Logan Feltman, Brandon Feltman; one brother, Clyde E. Smith, of Milton; one sister; Eleanor M. Kline, of Danville; and several nieces and nephews.
    He was preceded in death by a brother, Owen L. Smith.
    Family and friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Thurs., March 11, at Schwartz-Adamo Funeral Services, 247 Chestnut St., Mifflinburg. Visitors will also be received from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the Mifflinburg Assembly of God, 1001 Market St., Mifflinburg, where the service will be conducted at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Johnny Blake, officiating.
    Interment will be in Lincoln Chapel Cemetery, Hartley Township, Union County.

Fred W. Cormell
    Fred W. Cormell, 90, of 234 James Road, Lewisburg left his earthly home Friday morning, March 5, 2010, after a lengthy illness.
    A native of Virginia, he was born Jan. 21, 1920, in Salem, a son of the late Fred Lee and Ethel (Fisher) Cormell. He was married to the former Mary Ruth Shanks and his death breaks a marital union of 63 years.
    Fred was a graduate of Andrew Lewis High School where he participated in all three sports. He then attended Wake Forest College for two years before entering the Army in 1942. In the Army he was a tank commander at the Battle of the Rhine River Valley and the Battle of the Bulge, and was discharged in 1946.
    Fred was employed at American Bridge as a draftsman. From 1946 to 1960, he was employed at various steel companies in Virginia. In 1960, he moved to Lewisburg, working for Milton Manufacturing as sales engineer. In 1964, he became sales manager and in 1976, general manager. He was president of West Branch Manufacturing Assoc. from 1980-1981. In 1982, he lead a group of key employees to purchase the steel mill from Ceco Corp. In 1988, the steel mill was sold to North Star Steel Company ending his 51 years in the steel business. Fred retired to a farm in Mifflinburg.
    Fred was a member of Winfield Baptist Church and was in charge of the building of the church in 1972. He was appointed as a director of West Milton State Bank in 1978 and served for 12 years. He was a Mason and belonged to the American Post 182, Lewisburg.
    Fred enjoyed gardening, fishing in Destin, Fla., raising cattle, and keeping in touch with Army buddies.
    In addition to his wife, he is employed by three children and their spouses, R. Michael and Rita Cormell, Richard L. and Iris Cormell, and Patricia Cormell; two granddaughters, Dr. Kelly Cormell and Dr. Angela Muchler and husband Josh; one great-granddaughter, Jillian Muchler, all of Lewisburg; and many nephews and nieces.
    Funeral services were held Tues., March 9, at Winfield Baptist Church. His pastor, the Rev. Corey Mitchell officiated. The Rev. James Taylor, Chaplain for SUN Home Hospice, assisted.
    Burial followed in the Lewisburg Cemetery, with military services by the Lewisburg area veterans.
    The family asks that donations be made in Fred’s memory to either SUN Home Hospice, 61 Duke St., Northumberland, PA 17857, or Winfield Baptist Church, 330 State Route 304, Winfield, PA 17889.
    Funeral arrangements were the John H. Shaw III Funeral Home, Market and Eighth Streets, Lewisburg.

Evelyn Mae Finsterbush
    Evelyn Mae Finsterbush, 84, of 60 E. Green St., Mifflinburg passed away peacefully at 6:25 a.m. Saturday, March 6, 2010, at Kramm’s Healthcare, Milton.
    She was born Aug. 21, 1925, in Limestone Township, a daughter of the late Charles Raymond and Annie Pearl (Roush) Finsterbush.
    She attended the Switzer Run School and was a 1966 graduate of Empire Beauty School.
    Evelyn retired in 1993 from Finsterbush Beauty Salon, Mifflinburg, where she was a co-owner with her twin sister, Anna, for 25 years.
    She was a member of the Mifflinburg Church of the Nazarene.
    Evelyn enjoyed crocheting, making crafts and reading.
    She is survived by one sister, Jean E. Beaton, of Woodward, and numerous nieces and nephews.
    She was preceded in death by five brothers, Robert E., Charles, Leon, George and Lawrence Finsterbush; five sisters, Miriam Camp, Blanche Valentine, Estella P. Maxfield, Lydia Camp, and her twin sister, Anna F. Finsterbush.
    A celebration of life services was held Mon., March 8, at Schwartz-Adamo Funeral and Cremation Services, 247 Chestnut St., Mifflinburg. The Rev. Wayne S. Krell, pastor of the Mifflinburg Church of the Nazarene, officiated.
    Memorial contributions in Evelyn’s memory may be sent to Mifflinburg Church of the Nazarene, 12 E. Market St., Mifflinburg, PA 17844.

Doris Catherine Libhart
    Doris Catherine Libhart, 85, of Mifflinburg, passed away peacefully at 8 a.m. Friday, March 5, 2010 at Elmcroft, Lewisburg, where she had been a resident for two months. She had lived in Mifflinburg since 1959, and prior to that in Red Lion.
    Mrs. Libhart was born in York on Feb. 15, 1925, a daughter of the late Earl Spangler and Mary Catherine (Cousler) Zortman. On Feb. 16, 1946 in Yorkanna, Doris was united into marriage to Clifford G. Libhart, who preceded her in death on May 20, 1993.
    Doris was a 1943 graduate of William Penn High School, York.
    She was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mifflinburg, where she attended Sunday School and WELCA.
    Mrs. Libhart retired in 1975 after being employed for 12 years in the shipping office of Yorktowne Cabinets Inc., Mifflinburg.
    Doris was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Thomas H. Clapham Post # 410, American Legion, Mifflinburg; the Ladies Auxiliary of the Mifflinburg Hose Company # 1, Mifflinburg, and Club 39 of Mifflinburg and in her earlier years was a Girl Scout leader.
    She enjoyed watching baseball games and rooting for the Phillies. In addition, she loved spending time with her family; they were her prized possessions.
    Doris and Clifford are survived by three daughters and one son-in-law; Trena L., wife of Max S. Zeller; Karen L. Libhart and Pamela J. Stuter, all of Mifflinburg; a son, Edward G. Libhart, of Mifflinburg; five grandchildren, Heather L. Klose, Joshua L. Hestor, Deanna M. Krout, Dylan M. Hestor, Colby E. Libhart; 4 great-grandchildren, McKenna L. Magyar, Collin J.G. Krout, Bailey M.C. Klose. Also surviving are a sister and brother-in-law, Janet J., wife of Richard Hollinger, of York; a sister-in-law, Faye Zortman, of York and several niece and nephews.
    She was preceded in death by two brothers, Daniel S. and Jack E. Zortman.
    A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 13 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 404 Market St., Mifflinburg with Pastor James Rill, Interim Pastor, officiating.
    Burial will be private at the discretion of the family.
    In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Fund of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 404 Market Street, Mifflinburg, PA 17844 or to Elmcroft, 2421 Old Turnpike Road, Lewisburg, Pa 17837
    Funeral arrangements entrusted to Schwartz-Adamo Funeral and Cremation Services, 247 Chestnut St., Mifflinburg.

John Palm Steese
    Master Sgt. John Palm Steese, 70, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), of Warner Robins, Ga. and formerly of Mifflinburg, entered into rest Friday Feb. 26, 2010.
    He was born in Mahoning Township, Montour County on July 17, 1939, a son of the late Charles Marlyn and Ruth Miller Steese.
    John was a 1957 graduate of Mifflinburg High School.
    A veteran of the Vietnam conflict, John served his country for 22 years, retiring from the Air Force in October 1979.
    He worked in the Warner Robins area since 1984, where he coached and refereed youth sports, which he loved very much.
    John was confirmed on Palm Sunday 1968 at the Lutheran Chapel at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. He was instrumental in establishing the Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Warner Robins, where he served as president of the congregation, as a church elder and as chairman of the board of stewardship.
    He was a member of Thomas H. Clapham Post #410, American Legion, Mifflinburg and of Yoder-Zimmerman Post #1964, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Mifflinburg.
    He is survived by his wife Joan M. Steese; three sons and three daughters; twelve loving grandchildren and a brother, George M. Steese, of Mifflinburg.
    He was preceded in death by one brother, Charles Marlyn Steese II who died in January 1987.
    Funeral services were held March 2, 2010 at the Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Warner Robins, with burial in the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery, where full military honors were accorded.
    Memorial donations in John’s memory may be made to the Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 336 Carl Vinson Parkway, Warner Robins, GA 31088.

Tessie Maria Weidman
    Tessie Maria Weidman, 77, of Danville Road, Bloomsburg passed from this life into eternal life with the Lord Jesus Christ at her home Friday, March 5, 2010 after an extended illness.
    She was born in Point Township, Northumberland County on Dec. 7, 1932, the eldest daughter of the late Eugene Louis and Sarah Anna (Bollinger) Cannon.
    Tessie was a 1950 graduate of Mifflinburg High School.
    She was employed as an executive secretary for Sterling Brothers Silk Mill and as a bookkeeper for Puderbaugh Motors. Most of her life she was a homemaker.
    She was a member of Grace Baptist Church of West Milton.
    She enjoyed gardening and serving her family. Tessie had a servant’s heart and was dedicated to missions. She left a legacy of faithfulness to the Lord.
    She is survived by her husband Charles E. Weidman, to whom she was married on Nov. 14, 1959. Also surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Carolyn and Ron Conner, of West Milton and Karen and Brett Stamm, of New Columbia. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Lydia Conner-Cuffey, Ana Johnson, Daniela Conner, Garth Conner, Sage Conner, David Stamm, Matthew Stamm, Nathan Stamm, Timothy Stamm, Noah Stamm, Alanna Stamm, Caleb Stamm; also 13 great-grandchildren.
    She is also survived by her brother, James Cannon and his wife Eleanor, of Milton, and two sisters, Cora and her husband Gilbert Galbraith, of Sunbury and Gladys and her husband Joseph Veley Sr., of Mifflinburg; her brother-in-law, Richard Auman, of Northumberland.
    Tessie was preceded in death by two brothers, John, in 2005 and Charles, in infancy as well as her sister, Ruth in 2008; a grandson, Aaron Conner, in 1988 and a granddaughter, Adriel Stamm, in 1996.
    Funersl services were held Tues., March 9,  at Christian Gospel Fellowship, 2938 State Route 42, Millville. Pastor Donald Weidman and and Pastor David King officiated.
    Burial followed in Jerseytown Cemetery.
    Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Baptist Church (for Paul Karstens), 271 Danville Road, Bloomsburg, PA 17815.
Arrangements are under the direction of Visneski Funeral Home Inc., 10 W. Mahoning Street, Danville.

Shirley M. Sellers
    Shirley M. Sellers, 78, of High Street, New Berlin was called home by the Lord Jesus whom she loved at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at RiverWoods, Lewisburg.
    She was born June 15, 1931, in Middlecreek Township, Snyder County, a daughter of the late Calvin C. Sr. and Katharine P. (Dietrich) Fisher. On Nov. 15, 1958, she was united in marriage with James M. Sellers, who survives.
    Shirley was a 1949 graduate of Middleburg High School.
    She was an Avon sales representative for many years.
    She attended Hironimus Union Church, Weikert.
    Shirley enjoyed gardening, raising flowers and spending time with her dog, Paige Elizabeth. Shirley was a wonderful companion to her husband, Pastor Jim Sellers, assisting him in his ministry. She will be greatly missed.
    In addition to her husband, she is survived by one son, Wayne E. Fisher, of Gardner, Mass.; two sisters, Phyllis E. Bilger, of Selinsgrove, and Nancy J. Tarleton, of Summerville, S.C.; and two brothers and sisters-in-law, Calvin C. Jr. and Linda Fisher, of Selinsgrove and Eugene R. and Dottie Fisher, of Levittown; and numerous nieces and nephews.
    She was preceded in death by one daughter, Gwendolyn Louise Sellers, on Feb. 2, 2000.
    Funeral services were held Sat., March 6,  at the Hummel Funeral Home, 574 Hill St., Middleburg. Pastor Ralph Munroe, of Hironimus Union Church, and Pastor Jerry Knouse, of Church of the Open Door, Evendale, officiated.
    Burial was in Salem Lutheran Church Cemetery, Selinsgrove.
    Contributions in Shirley’s memory may be made to Gideons of Snyder County, P.O. Box 382, Selinsgrove, PA 17870.

Jeanne Marie Boop
    Jeanne Marie Boop, 80, formerly of Feasterville and Mifflinburg, entered into rest at 8:20 a.m. Monday, March 1, 2010, at Elmcroft, Lewisburg, where she had lived since January.
    She was born April 24, 1929, in Philadelphia, a daughter of the late Frank and Mary Dunlap. On July 1, 1957, she married Roy C. Boop Jr., who preceded her in death in June 1995. After marriage, Jeanne and her husband moved to Feasterville, where they lived until moving to Mifflinburg in 1985.
    She was employed as a bank teller, as a secretary for 15 years at the Speed Clean Washer and Dryer in Feasterville and at the Herr Memorial Library, Mifflinburg.
    Jeanne enjoyed bowling, reading, crossword puzzles, playing cards and spending time with her grandchildren.
    Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Roy C. III and Lisa D. Boop, of Mifflinburg; four grandchildren, Adam L. Stahl, of Montandon, Aimee E. Stahl, of Kreamer, Dawn M. Boop and Danielle J. Boop, both of Mifflinburg; one great-granddaughter, Jacalyn D. Dumas, of Kreamer; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Frank and Mary Ann Dunlap and Joseph and Elizabeth Witt, all of Doylestown; and two sisters, Francis Szabo, of Buckingham, and Mary Ann Alacon, of Florida.
    She was preceded in death by one brother, Sonny Viall, and one sister, Gladys Tweed.
    A memorial service was conducted Mon., March 8, in the Roupp Funeral Home Inc., 8594 Old Turnpike Road, Mifflinburg. The Rev. Robert Straub officiated.
    Memorial contributions may be made in Jeanne’s memory to the Herr Memorial Library, 500 Market St., Mifflinburg, PA 17844.



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