Obituaries A to D
A
Acker, Ronald F. – 12/21/2007
Ronald F. Acker, 82, Boyertown, died Dec. 21, 2007, in Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.
He was the husband of Evelyn N. (Ames) Acker.
Born in Morysville, he was a son of the late John and Bessie (Weller) Acker.
He is also survived by a son, Craig T. Acker, Bridgton, Maine; and a daughter, Susan K., wife of Richard Horn, Boyertown.
Other survivors include three grandchildren: Justin and Colin Horn; and Wesley Acker; and a great-grandson, Jacob Horn.
The Catagnus Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 1020 E. Philadelphia Ave., Gilbertsville, is in charge of arrangements. 1reading Eagle, 12/23/2007
Ahrens, Howard E. – 2/26/1918
Well-Known Traction Man Dead
Reading, Pa., Feb. 26 – Howard E. Ahrens, president of the Allentown and Reading Traction Company, and prominent business man, died today at the Reading Hospital, of stomach trouble, aged 64 years. The firm of H. E. Ahrens & Brother, in which he associated himself with his brother, James S. Ahrens, has constructed a number of trolley lines in eastern Pennsylvania 2Philadelphia Inquirer, 1/277/1918
B
Badura, Arlene Margaret – 12/14/2007
Arlene Margaret Badura, 60, Spring Township, died Dec. 14, 2007, at 3:10 p.m. in St. Joseph Medical Center, Bern Township, where she had been a patient since Nov. 27. Born Aug. 3, 1947, in Detroit, she was a daughter of Veronica Josephine (Zymanchuk) Badura, Southfield, Mich.; and the late William Francis Badura. She was a 1965 graduate of Rosary High School, Detroit, and a graduate of Sienna Heights College, Adrian, Mich. Arlene was employed a number of years as a teacher with Kutztown University. She is survived by a brother, James Alan Badura, New Orleans. Services will be private. 3Reading Eagle, 12/23/2007
Baer, George F. – 4/26/1914
Geo. F. Baer Dies;
Head of P and R and Coal holdings. Never Rallied After Having Been Stricken On Way to Office on Saturday
George F. Baer, president of the Philadelphia and Reading Railway, and one of the leading railroad and coal mining authorities in the United States, died in his city home, 1718 Spruce street, at 7.43 o’clock last night. Mr. Baer was 72 years old and his death was directly due to uraemic poisoning. Heavy burdens which he willingly shouldered in the interest of stockholders owning the Reading’s vast properties superinduced the collapse of Mr. Baer at Fifteenth and Walnut streets on Saturday while on the way to his office, his physicians declared. Except for a few brief moments of semi-consciousness, Mr. Baer was in a state of coma from the time he fell to the sidewalk until he breathed his last. Mrs. Baer, her five daughters and sons-in-law were at the bedside of the husband and father when he died. Dr. William F. Muhlenberg, of Reading, Pa., a life-long friend, was also at the death-bed. They had maintained a death watch from Saturday afternoon, realizing that Mr. Baer’s demise was only a matter of hours. News of the death of the head of the Reading system and the Reading Coal and Iron Company spread along the Reading Lines with great rapidity. Soon after Mr. Baer had passed away messages of condolence began to be received by the family by the scores. At an early hour this morning telegrams were received at the house from some of the country’s most prominent men.
Bingaman, George H. – 5/2003
Services were held for George H. Bingaman, 88, formerly of Butter Lane, Exeter Township and Berkshire Center, Exeter Township, where he had been a resident since April. His wife, Leona C. (Kercher) Bingaman, died in 2000. Born in Stony Creek, he had been employed as a delivery driver by Freihofer’s Bakery, Reading, and later as a maintenance engineer for the Berks County Intermediate Unit. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Stony Creek. Bingaman was an Army Air Forces veteran of World War II. Surviving are two daughters, Linda J., Mohnton, and Kathleen A., West Reading. Other survivors include a sister. Private burial was in Spies Zion Cemetery, Alsace Township. The Lutz Funeral Home Inc., Mount Penn, handled the arrangements.4Southern Berks News, 5/21/2003
Bingaman, Kenneth N. – 2/4/203
Memorial services were held in St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Fleetwood, for Kenneth N. Bingaman, who died of natural causes Feb. 4 in his Highland Drive, Rockland Township residence. Burial was in Fleetwood Cemetery. He was the husband of Lorraine D. (Huyett) Bingaman. Born in Reading, he was a son of Vivian (Bingaman) Stump, Kutztown, and the late Ernest Stump. Until retiring as regional manager of customer service in 1996, he was employed by Metropolitan Edison Co., Muhlenberg Township, for 34 years. He was a 1959 graduate of Fleetwood High School. Bingaman was an Army veteran. He was a past president of the Fleetwood Rotary Club. Bingaman was a member of St. Paul’s UCC, Fleetwood. Also surviving are two sons, Dr. David E. Bingman, Trexlertown, and Bradley A. Bingman, Hummelstown, Dauphin County, and a granddaughter. Other survivors include a sister, Eileen A. (Stump) Schaffer, Fleetwood. 5Kutztown Area Patriot, 2/13/2003
Bingaman, Robert F. – 7/3/2005
Robert F. Bingaman, retired Exeter Township stone mason/building contractor, died of natural causes July 3 at 9:20 p.m. in Reading Hospital. Bingaman, 70, Exeter Township, was the husband of Ramona A. (Herbert) Bingaman. A stone mason/building contractor, he was the owner-operator of Daniel F. Bingaman & Son Stone Masons, Exeter Township, for 40 years until his retirement. Born in Oley, he was a son of the late Daniel F. and Florence H. (Keller) Bingaman. Bingaman is also survived by a son, Robert D., Exeter Township; and a daughter, Robin A. (Bingaman) Swavely, Birdsboro. Other survivors include three grandchildren. Services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Lutz Funeral Home Inc., Mount Penn. Burial will be in Spies (Zion) Cemetery, Alsace Township. 6Reading Eagle, 7/5/2005
Bingaman, Warren Norman – 12/30/2007
Warren Norman Bingaman, 93, formerly of Muhlenberg Township, died Dec. 30, 2007, at 7:20 a.m. in the Golden Living Center, Exeter Township, where he had been a resident since Aug. 24, 2006. He was the widower of Kathryn Norma (Eberly) Bingaman, who died July 24, 2004. Born in Reading on Oct. 26, 1914, he was a son of the late Samuel and Ella May (Noll) Bingaman. Warren was employed as a laborer for 10 years with Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line, Paoli, and later as a crane operator with Reading Metals, Ontelaunee Township. He was a co-founder of the Barn Stormers Radio Controlled Model Airplane Club.
Warren is survived by a grandson, Norman R. Jr., husband of Angele M. (Cerra) Bingaman, Cumru Township; and a great-grandson, Brent W. Bingaman, Cumru Township. He was predeceased by a son, Norman Robert Bingaman Sr., who died Feb. 17, 2006.
Services will be Friday at 10 a.m. in Walter R. Christ Funeral Home Inc., 3300 Kutztown Road, Laureldale, with Padre Ramon E. Martinez officiating. Burial will be in Laureldale Cemetery. A viewing will be held one hour prior to services in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Asera Care Hospice, 690 Stockton Drive, Suite 100, Exton, PA 19341. 7 Reading Eagle, 12/31/2007
Boas, Ann Barbara – 8/2/1822
Died, in this borough on the 2d instant, Mrs. Ann Barbara Boas, widow of the late Reverend William Boas, aged 69 years 6 months and 13 days. 8 Berks and Schuylkill Journal, 8/10/1822
Boas, Arthur C. – 12/20/2000
Arthur C. Boas, 78, formerly of Boas Road, Cumru Township, died Saturday morning at 4:45 in the Denver Nursing Home in Lancaster County, where he had resided since April 13, 1999. His wife, Violet K. (Eyrich) Boas, died Feb. 20, 1998. Born in Cumru Township, he was a son of the late Grover C., and Elizabeth (Long) Boas. Boas had been employed for 38 years by the Reading Hardware Co., retiring in 1982. He was an Army Air Forces veteran of World War II. Surviving are two sisters, Mariam (Boas) Breneman, Mohnton R.D. 5, and Myrtle (Boas) Yerger, Fleetwood R.D. 2. Whelan, Fleischmann & Schwartz Funeral Homes Inc., is in charge of arrangements. 9Reading Eagle, 12/3/2000
Boas, Donald C. – 11/4/1991
Donald C. Boas, 66, of 317 S. 17th st., died Monday at 3:10 PM in Reading Hospital, where he had been a patient since Friday. Born in Reading he was a son of the late Frank C. and Minnie R. (Stuber) Boas. Boas was employed in various accounting positions in the city. He was an Army veteran if World War II. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Surviving are three brothers: Robert, Maisville, Ga., Frank, New Hope, Bucks County. and Kenneth, Reading. The Auman Funeral Home, Reading, is in charge of arrangements. 10Reading Eagle, 11/5/1991
Boas, Earl F. – 5/1/1990
Earl F. Boas, of North Main Street, Spring City, Chester County, died Tuesday morning in Phoenixville Hospital, where he had been a patient for one week.
He was the husband of Pearl N. (Asthemier) Boas.
Born in Royersford, Montgomery County, he was a son of the late Grover C. and Elizabeth (Long) Boas.
Boas had been employed as a press operator by the former Cann & Saul Steel Co., Royersford, for 36 years before retiring in 1975.
He was a member of the Royersford Church of the Brethren.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Ralph C., Newport, Ala.; a daughter, Mary Mauger, Perkiomenville; and 11 grandchildren, and 20 great-granchildren.
Three brothers: Benjamin, Bernville; Arthur, Sinking Spring RD 2, and Harold, Laureldale.
Also four sisters: Mildred Remp, Bowmansville, Miriam Brenman and Lillie Matz, both of Adamstown, and Myrtle Yerger, Fleetwood.
Shalkop-Grace Funeral Home, Inc., Spring City is in charge of arrangements. 11Reading Eagle, 5/2/1990
Boas, Frank C., Jr. – 12/7/2003
Frank C. Boas Jr., 78, formerly of Solebury Township, Bucks County, died Dec. 7 at Heritage Towers, Doylestown, Bucks County, where he had resided since 1998.
Born in Reading, he was a son of the late Frank C. Boas Sr. and Minnie (Stuber) Boas.
Boas was co-owner of the Ember Glo Gift Shop, New Hope, Bucks County, for 40 years.
He served 16 years as a supervisor in Solebury Township. Boas was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving is a brother, Robert B., Maysville Ga.
Services will be private. The Garefino Funeral Home, Lambertville, N.J., is in charge of arrangements. 12 Reading Eagle, 12/14/2003
Boas, Harold D. – 9/29/1996
Harold D. Boas, 79, of 1400 Salina St., Laureldale, died Sunday at 3:25 a.m. in Berks Heim, where he had resided since April 23, 1992.
He was the husband of Anna E. (Drake) Boas.
Born in Reading, he was a son of the late Grover and and Elizabeth (Long) Boas.
Boas was employed for 30 years as a metal cleaner by NGK Metels Corp., Temple, retiring in June 1982.
He was a member of St. John’s Gernant’s United Church of Christ, Ontelaunee township.
He was an Army veteran of World War II.
Boas is also survived by two brothers: Benjamin, Bernsville R.D. 1, and Arthur, Sinking Spring R.D.6; and four sisters: Liiilian, widow of Randall Matz, and Miriam, wife of Stanley Brenneman, both of Sinking Spring R.D. 6; Myrtle, wife of Clyde Yerger, Lyons; and Mildred, wife of Sylvester Remp, Bowmansville, Lancaster county.
Services will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Walter R. Christ Funeral Home, Inc., Laureldale. Burial will be in St. John’s Gernant’s Cemtery, Ontelaunee township. 13Reading Eagle, 9/30/1996
Baoa, Violet K. – 2/21/1998
Violet K. Boas, 73, of 130 Boas Lane, Sinking Spring, died Friday at 10:25 a.m. in the Reading Hospital, where she had been a patient since Tuesday. She was the wife of Arthur C. Boas. Born in Wyomissing, she was a daughter of the late John and Virgie (Sheidy) Eyrich. She was employed 31 years as a hatter by Bollman’s Hat Co., Adamstown, retiring in 1986. She is also survived by a brother, Kenneth Eyrick, West Reading. Services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Whelan, Fleischmann & Schwartz Funeral Homes Inc., Exeter Township. Burial will be in Hain’s Church Cemetery, Lower Heidelberg Township. 14 Reading Eagle, 2/22/1998
Boas, Mrs. William – 10/1902
Reading. While attending to her household duties, Mrs. William Boas dropped dead from heart failure. She was 59 years of age and had never been ill. 15Phildelphia Inquirer, 10/2/1902
Bortz, James and Henry – 10/1902
Predicted His Death
Reading Man Missed time By One Day – Brother Died next Day
Reading, Pa. Oct. 3. James Bortz, aged 72 years, a bachelor, died Wednesday afternoon at his home at Macungie after having predicted the time of his death within twenty-four hours. Some time ago he received a stroke of paralysis which left him in a feeble condition. Then he made the prediction that he would die on September 30. he missed the time by twenty-four hours. He had many eccentricities, one of which was that he would never accept a receipt after paying a bill. He declared they always led to trouble.
Another brother, Henry Bortz, died yesterday afternoon at the age of 74 years and now a double funeral will be held on Sunday afternoon. 16Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/4/1902
Burkhart, Gertrude [Keenan] – 12/24/2007
Gertrude (Keenan) Burkhart, 92, formerly of Spring Township, died Dec. 24, 2007, in the Cedar Brooke Nursing Home, Allentown.
She was the widow of Robert W. Burkhart, who died on April 13, 1999, after 60 years of marriage.
Born in Caernarvon Township, she was a daughter of the late Clarence and Elizabeth (Lykens) Keenan.
She was a member of St. Luke’s Evangelical Congregational Church, Shillington, where she sang in the choir and was the assistant organist.
She was a 1932 graduate of the former New Holland High School.
Surviving is a daughter, Elizabeth Abrams, Allentown.
Other survivors include a brother, Brint Keenan, Ogden, Utah.
She was predeceased by a son, William R. Burkhart, in August 1956.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her services Saturday at 10 a.m. in Giles & Yeckley Funeral Home and Crematorium Inc., 21 Chestnut St., Mohnton. Burial will be in Caernarvon Cemetery, Morgantown. Friends may call Saturday 9 to 10 a.m. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to St. Luke’s EC Church, 315 W. Broad St., Shillington, PA 19607, or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, Ill 60601-7633. 17Reading Eagle, 12/27/2007
C
Cleaver, Daniel – 7/17/2008
Daniel E. Cleaver, 80, Boyertown, passed July 17, 2008, in Golden Living Center, Exeter Township.
He was the husband of the late Ruth S. (Hartline) Cleaver.
Born in Woodchoppertown, Earl Township, he was the son of the late John R. and Susan Amelia (Eberhardt) Cleaver.
He is survived by sons: Harold D., husband of Kathleen (Heffron) Cleaver, Philadelphia; Keith J. Cleaver, companion of Kris Humphrey, Pottstown; Bruce A. Cleaver, Boyertown; and daughter Lorraine J. Kulp, companion of Leroy Markle, Boyertown.
Other survivors include sisters: Helen, Ellen, Pearl, Shirley and Sandra, and two brothers, John and Ernest.
Linwood W. Ott Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements. 18Reading Eagle, 7/18/2008
Cleaver, Helen Guthrie – 1/18/1950
Helen Guthrie Cleaver, Music Teacher Dies
Helen Guthrie Cleaver, widely known Reading music teacher, died at 7:30 o’clock last night in the Reading Hospital. She resided at 223 South Fifth Street.
Miss Cleaver was a daughter of the late Dr. Israel and Lorena (Moore) Cleaver and taught piano here for many years. She was an accomplished pianist and had studied under the late Constantin Von Sternberg, of Philadelphia, a noted pianist. She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church and the Music Teacher Guild and was active in the national audition programs of the guild.
Surviving are a sister, Hattie, widow of Freeman Boas, of Reading, and a brother, Wilbur Cleaver, of San Francisco, Calif. The Miller Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. 19Reading Eagle, 1/19/1950
Cronrath, Audrey L. – 12/227/2007
Audrey L. Cronrath, 69, Topton, died Dec. 27, 2007, in Lehigh Valley Hospital.
She was the wife of Ray W. Cronrath. They were married Jan. 23, 1971.
Born June 12, 1938, she was a daughter of the late John H. and Kathryn M. (Barto) Smith.
She was a personnel counselor in the human resource department of Allentown General Hospital, Allentown, for 19 years, until her retirement in 1982. She also worked at Atlas Mineral Products, Mertztown.
She was a 1956 graduate of Kutztown Area High School, and a 1958 graduate of the former Reading Business School with a degree in executive secretary studies.
She was a member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Topton.
She is also survived by a son, J. Timothy, husband of Jennifer L. (Jeschke) Cronrath, Topton; a stepdaughter, Debra A. (Cronrath), wife of Michael J. Billowitch, Whitehall; and a stepson, Michael R., husband of JoAnne (Murphy) Cronrath, Fredericksburg, Va.
There are also a grandson, Colton R. Cronrath; and seven step grandchildren: Katie M. (Billowitch) Brader; Karyn A. (Billowitch), wife of David R. Zwoyer; Matthew R., Corey J., Geena M., and Kari A. Cronrath; and Joseph G. Funk IV.
She was predeceased by a brother, Leonard Smith, on July 10, 1936.
Services will be Monday at 10 a.m. in the Ludwick Funeral Home, 25 E. Weis St., Topton, with the Rev. George W. Bahner officiating. Burial will be in New Jerusalem Union Cemetery, Fleetwood. Friends may call Monday from 9 to 10 a.m. in the funeral home.
The family requests contributions be made to St. Peter’s United Church of Christ Church Memorial Fund, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, PA 19562 20 Reading Eagle, 12/29/2007
D
Deeds, Robert Leon, Sr. – 12/21/2207
Robert Leon Deeds Sr., 71, Robeson Township, died Dec. 21, 2007, at 8:46 p.m. of natural causes in his residence.
He was the husband of Joan M. (Krammes) Deeds, who passed away July 26, 1995.
Born in Bernville, he was a son of the late John Edward Deeds Sr., and Mary Esther (Shirey) Deeds.
He had been a self-employed builder/developer, “Robert L. Deeds,” from 1964 to the present.
He is survived by two daughters, Sandra L., wife of John Alting Jr., and Shirley L., wife of Joseph M. Mack, both of Robeson Township; and a son, Robert L. Deeds Jr., husband of Michele Deeds, Robeson Township.
Other survivors include four grandchildren: Robert III and Daniel Deeds; Matthew Nguyen; and Christy Goff; and two great-grandchildren, Stanley and Hunter Goff.
He was predeceased by a son, Barry L. Deeds, in 1961; two brothers and three sisters.
Services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. in Dengler Funeral Home Inc., 144 N. Spruce St., Birdsboro. Burial will be in Friedens Cemetery, Robeson Township. A viewing will be Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home. 21 Reading Eagle, 12/23/2007
Sources & Notes
- 1reading Eagle, 12/23/2007
- 2Philadelphia Inquirer, 1/277/1918
- 3Reading Eagle, 12/23/2007
- 4Southern Berks News, 5/21/2003
- 5Kutztown Area Patriot, 2/13/2003
- 6Reading Eagle, 7/5/2005
- 7Reading Eagle, 12/31/2007
- 8Berks and Schuylkill Journal, 8/10/1822
- 9Reading Eagle, 12/3/2000
- 10Reading Eagle, 11/5/1991
- 11Reading Eagle, 5/2/1990
- 12Reading Eagle, 12/14/2003
- 13Reading Eagle, 9/30/1996
- 14Reading Eagle, 2/22/1998
- 15Phildelphia Inquirer, 10/2/1902
- 16Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/4/1902
- 17Reading Eagle, 12/27/2007
- 18Reading Eagle, 7/18/2008
- 19Reading Eagle, 1/19/1950
- 20Reading Eagle, 12/29/2007
- 21Reading Eagle, 12/23/2007