Obituaries
Obituaries Week of March 29, 2012
Mar 30, 2012 - 9:59:35 AM

Thelma M. Rathfon
    Thelma M. Rathfon, 89, of Forest Hill, formerly of Watsontown, passed from this life on Saturday, March 24, 2012, at the Manor at Penns Village.  
    She was born Feb. 21, 1923, in Watsontown, Northumberland County, a daughter of the late Boyd and Anna (Ravert) Bachman. On June 3, 1942, Thelma married Frederick A. Rathfon who preceded her in death in 1988.   
    She was a 1941 graduate of Watsontown High School.    
    Thelma had been employed by Philco Manufacturing, Watsontown, Huntingdon Throwing Mill and the Milton Shoe factory.  
    She was of the Methodist faith.
    Her hobbies and interests included playing guitar and listening to country music, gardening, sewing and embroidering.  
    Thelma is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Carole L. and Merrill Heimbach, of Forest Hill; three grandchildren, Teresa Bailey and Steven and Gary Heimbach; two great-grandchildren, Cody Heimbach and Jordan Bailey; and one brother and sister-in-law, Lawrence and Mary Ann Bachman, of Watsontown.  
    Thelma was preceded in death by one daughter, Barbara Rathfon and by siblings, Mary Shetler, Dorothy Bachman and Harry , Boyd Jr., Merrill and Arthur Bachman.
    Funeral services were held Wed., March 28, at the Roupp Funeral Home, 8594 Old Turnpike Road, Mifflinburg. The Rev. Richard DeVett officiated.  
    Thelma was laid to rest in Forest Hill Cemetery, West Buffalo Township.  
    Contributions in memory of Thelma may be given to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123-1718.

Gregory T. Staley
    Gregory T. Staley, 56, a resident of Milton for the past nine years, passed on to his eternal home on Friday, March 23, 2012, at the Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg.
    He was born Jan. 7, 1956, in Sunbury, a son of Dorothy Irene (Kratzer) Staley, of Milton and the late Thomas Elwood Staley.
    A 1973 graduate of Mifflinburg High School, Greg served in the Air Force from 1974 to 1978 as a security specialist.  
    Following his discharge, he worked in security at the former Rea & Derrick warehouse until 1991, and in 1992 he went to work for Burns Security, now Securist, until retiring in 2010 due to ill health.
    Greg was a member of Zion’s Church of Kratzerville.
    In his spare time, Greg enjoyed fishing and hunting, and was also a history enthusiast. He was a football fan, especially the 49ers, and loved spending time with his family.
    Surviving in addition to his mother, is his loving sister, Lori Staley, of Danville; one nephew, Christopher Aikey and wife, Melody, of Selinsgrove; one niece, Amber Aikey, of Middleburg; one great-nephew, Isaiah Aikey; and two great-nieces, Isabella Aikey and Emily Aikey.
    In addition to his father he was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Artie and Carrie Kratzer and his paternal grandparents, Susie and Maurice Staley.
    A memorial service was held at Wed., March 28, at Zion’s Church of Kratzerville. His pastor, the Rev. Dr. John W. Radke, officiated.  
    Interment followed in the Evangelical Reformed Cemetery, Kratzerville.
    The family suggests memorial contributions in Gregory’s memory be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 2080 Linglestown Road, Suite 104, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
    The family was assisted by Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, Lewisburg. Expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cronrathgrenoblefuneralhome.com.

Melinda Lee Haines
    Melinda Lee Haines, 44, of Middleburg, entered into eternal rest at 9:24 a.m. Wednesday, March 21, 2012.
    She was born Sept. 2, 1967, in Lewisburg, a daughter of Peg and Rusty Hendricks, of Middleburg, and Richard Kratzer Sr., of New Berlin.
    Melinda attended Mifflinburg Area High School.
    She was employed as a store manager for the Dollar General Corp.
    Melinda enjoyed riding Harley-Davidsons, horseback riding, going to the drag races at Beaver Springs and watching NASCAR and was a Tony Stewart fan.
    Surviving, in addition to her parents, are two sons and one daughter-in-law, Matthew Kreider and his fiancee, Carrie Laskoski, of Mifflinburg, and Johnathon and Brittney Haines, of North Carolina; two daughters, Marissa Kreider, of Middleburg, and Andrea Haines, of Beavertown; one sister and brother-in-law, Paula and Dennis Feltman, of Richfield; one brother and sister-in-law, Richard Jr. and Jessica Kratzer, of Mifflinburg; three grandsons, Brayden, Hunter and Bow; and a granddaughter expected in June.
    She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Robert and Mabel Kratzer and Elwood and Betty Weller.
    Funeral services were held Fri., March 23, at Grace Covenant Community Church, 99 Cafe Lane, Middleburg. Evangelist Daryl Willow officiated.
    Burial was in St. Peter’s Independent Bible Church Cemetery, Beavertown.
    Funeral arrangements were by the Roupp Funeral Home Inc., 8594 Old Turnpike Road, Mifflinburg.

Nancy L. (Scott) Martin
    Nancy L. (Scott) Martin, 71, of Lewisburg, went home to be with her Lord and Saviour on Sunday, March 18, 2012.
    She was born April 7, 1940, in Northumberland, a daughter of the late Edward and Bertha Mae Scott. She was married to Joseph P. Martin who preceded her in death.
    Nancy was a wonderful, sweet-hearted mother, grandmother and friend. She truly cherished the sweet time she spent with those she cared about and loved. Her heart was in her home and her children. That is what made her happy. Two things that she absolutely adored were butterflies and Elvis. For butterflies, she loved the color and uniqueness of each one, and she could never have enough of them. As far as Elvis goes, she loved his music, especially his gospel music. She was a beautiful person inside and out, and heaven received a wonderful gift when she passed on to her eternal destination. Her favorite passage from the Bible was the 23rd Psalm. It gave her great peace and comfort. She is now in the arms of Jesus, no more pain and no more tears.
    Loved ones left behind to cherish her memory are her beloved children, Robert Earnest Jr., of Lewisburg, Brenda Austin, of California, Michael Earnest, of Illinois, Todd Earnest, of Kansas, and Lorie Lipko, of Texas; the siblings she loved, Betty Jane Grundmann, of Florida, Virginia Mitchell, of Mifflinburg, Ruby Carr, of Beavertown, and Bobby Scott, of Northumberland; grandchildren, Ty Earnest, Justin Earnest, Tierra Earnest, Jasmine Johnson, Tiffany Ludwig, Michelle Earnest, T.J. Earnest, Cody Earnest, Kellie Earnest, Breonna Lipko, Seth Lipko and Caleb Lipko; and great-grandchildren, Anthony Nordin, Kaleigh Harris, Napoleon Harris, Jayden Harris, Jarrod Ludwig, Bryce Ludwig, Cameron Earnest, Tyler Earnest and Emerson Earnest.
    A special service to honor her memory was held Thurs., March 22, in the Joseph W. Epler Funeral Home, 210 King St., Northumberland. Her son-in-law, David Lipko, officiated.
    Her daughter, Lorie, and son, Bobby, would like to extend a special thank-you to the Union-Snyder Agency on Aging in Lewisburg and Care Givers of America in Selinsgrove for going above and beyond the call of duty in caring for their mother. Also a special thanks to Tammy, her dearly loved friend. Thank you so much for all you have done to care for her and to be her friend and confidante. May the Lord bless you all!

Richard M. Herman
    Richard M. Herman, 82, passed away on Saturday, March 24, 2012, at the Manor at Penn Village, Selinsgrove.
    He was born April 21, 1929, in Penns Creek, a son of the late Luther A. and Bertha Mary (Bowersox) Herman. He was married to the former Mary A. Smith, who survives.
    Richard was a Navy veteran serving during World War II and then was employed by Madison Silo.
    He was a life member of the West End Fire Company and a member of Evangelical United Methodist Church.
    In his free time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and friends. He had a great love for his family and loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
    Surviving, in addition to his wife, are one son and companion, Gregory Herman and Hannah “Shirley” Bendle; one daughter, Sonja Hartley; one brother and sister-in-law, Luther and Jeanette; two sisters, Ruth Miller and Faye Steininger and husband Edwin “Johnny;” nine grandchildren, Ray Keister and companion Sam, Scott Keister, Michelle Romig and husband Justin, Jason Ewig and fiancee Jacquelyn Goodwin, Adam Ewig and companion Desiree, Ryan Henry, Tabitha Herman, Valeesha Herman and Natasha Herman and companion Devin; 13 great-grandchildren, Luke Keister and wife Sara, Camille Keister and companion David, Cassandra Roberts, Stacy Keister and companion Justin, Kristin Keister, Akin Hess, Jessie Keister, Cherish Auman, Jansen Jasper, Zander and Logan Romig, Ty Richard Ewig and Serenity Lorandeau; one great-great-granddaughter, Addison Jackson; and a great-great-grandson, John Wayne Boyer.
    He was preceded in death by two sisters, Anna Sumner and Dorothy Bowersox, and two brothers, David and Henry.
    At Richard’s request, there will be no services.
    Arrangements are by the Hummel Funeral Home, 574 Hill St., Middleburg.

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