The Groffs – Obituaries and Tributes

Douglas W. Baker, 68, of East Petersburg passed away surrounded by his family on Monday, May 14, 2012 at Lancaster Regional Hospital. Born in Lancaster, he was the son the late Lawrence Manduchi, the late Evelyn Baker Dorwart and his step-father the late Robert Dorwart. He and his wife Darlene Spence Baker were married for sixteen years last December.

Doug attended J.P. McCaskey High School and was a machine operator for Federal Mogul. He loved mud bogging at Cecil County and the Buck, collecting trains, and plowing snow in the winters.

In addition to his wife Darlene, Doug is survived by his sons Brian Baker, Keith husband of Barb Baker both of Lancaster, PA, Shawn husband of Michelle Baker of Willow Street, PA, a stepdaughter Tracey wife of Jim Buterbaugh of Lancaster, PA, a stepson Jason Stewart of East Petersburg, PA, a stepdaughter Darla wife of Manuel Gonzales of California, and a sister Kathleen Brosko of Leola, PA, 12 grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, and 5 step great-grandchildren.

Friends and Family are invited to attend Douglas’ Funeral Service on Friday, May 18, 2012 at The Groffs Family Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., 528 W. Orange Street (corner of Orange and Pine Sts.) at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. Interment will take place in Millersville Mennonite Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Douglas’ name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Red Rose Honor Guard, P.O. Box 8601, Lancaster, PA 17604-8601.

Anna E. Hammond, 93, of Lancaster, died peacefully at Homestead Village on Monday, May 14, 2012. Born in Piketown, PA on August 20, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Harvey E. and Annie Grace Burg Wagner, and was married to Dr. Charles P. Hammond for 52 years until his death in 1994.

She graduated from Highspire High School and received her registered nurse degree from Lancaster General Hospital in 1939. She worked as a nurse for Rossmere Sanitorium from 1940-1943 and as a city school nurse from 1943-1945.

Anna was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, a past president of the Auxiliary of Lancaster County Medical Society and a member of the Nurses Alumnae of Lancaster General Hospital.

She is survived by her daughter Charlotte, wife of J. Michael Brown of Marietta, GA and a son Charles, husband of Robyn Hammond of Boca Raton, FL, a sister, Mary Vlahos of Greensburg, PA and 4 grandchildren: Lauren Brown, Greg Brown, Tom Wilder and Doug Wilder. She was preceded in death by her daughter Mary Wilder and her brothers James L. Wagner, Rev. Harvey E. Wagner, Jr., and Rev. William M. Wagner.

A funeral service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 321 W. Chestnut Street, Lancaster, on Friday, May 18, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at the church from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service. A private interment will be held in Fort Indiantown Gap Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made in Anna’s name to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 321 W. Chestnut Street, Lancaster, PA 17603; or American Cancer Society, 314 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603.

Diego Curet, 55, of Lancaster, passed away on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Lancaster Regional Hospital. He was born in Arroyo, Puerto Rico to the late Eugenio and the late Quintina Cruz Curet.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. at The Groffs Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 528 W. Orange Street, Lancaster, PA. The family will greet friends at The Groffs from 12 Noon until the time of the service.

Robert L. Reaser, 80, of Lancaster, passed away from natural causes Saturday afternoon, May 12, 2012 at Lancaster General Hospital surrounded by his family. Born in Reading he was the son of the late Lewis Henry and Sara Southworth Reaser. He was married to Joan Bright Reaser for 58 years last August and they had lived in Spring Hill, FL for sixteen years.

Bob served with the US Marines during the Korean War. He retired in 1985 having worked for Western Electric-AT&T for 29 years where he was the Supervisor of the production line. He was a member of the AT&T Pioneers. An avid fisherman, bridge player and golfer; he loved music, playing the keyboard, organ and especially spending time with his family.

In addition to his wife Joan, Robert is survived by his two daughters Roberta wife of Ray Horning of Lancaster, Patricia A. wife of Michael Bacon of Oxford, PA , his son Richard husband of Michelle Reaser of Sinking Springs, PA, eight grandchildren, brother Nelson husband of Dollie Reaser of Cheyenne, WY and brother Lewis Henry Reaser, Jr. of Reading. He was preceded in death by his sister Gladys Madeira and brother John Reaser.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to Celebrate Bob’s Life at The Groffs Family Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc, 528 W. Orange Streets (at the corner of Orange & Pine Sts), Lancaster on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 3p.m. The family will greet friends at The Groffs from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the Service. In lieu of flowers Memorial’s may be made in Robert’s name to The Humane League of Lancaster County, 2195 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602

Robert E. Adrian (Bob) Age 73, died unexpectedly on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Lancaster General Hospital. Born in Kingston, PA he was the son of the late Earl and Alma Williams Adrian and the husband of Patricia Post Adrian.

Bob graduated from Kingston High School in the class of 1956 and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1956 and served 4 years. He was employed by RCA/Thomson for 34 years, serving at the Lancaster and Scranton picture tube facilities as Production Material Control Manager, retiring in 1998. Following retirement he worked part-time at the Manheim Auto Auction.

An active member of Covenant United Methodist Church, Bob served in many capacities and was a regular Sunday School attendee.

Bob loved being with family, friends, summer vacations with family at Bethany Beach, and traveling the world. In addition to being a loyal Phillies, Eagles and Penn State fan, he also avidly supported his son Ken’s high school basketball teams in Raleigh and Baltimore. Bob thoroughly enjoyed vibrant discussions on any subject.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons: Kenneth R. husband of Denice Adrian of Raleigh, N.C. and William D. Adrian of Shaverstown, PA; three grandchildren: Emily, Justin, and Brandon; and a sister, Sally Adrian Wilbur wife of Leonard P. Wilbur of Lancaster, PA.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to Robert’s Memorial Service at Covenant United Methodist Church, 110 N. Mulberry Street, Lancaster on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with The Reverend Donald E Zechman officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Private interment will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorials may be made in Robert’s name to the Dolly Kepner Music Fund C/O Covenant United Methodist Church 110 N. Mulberry Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 or Humane League of Lancaster County, 2195 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602.

Vivian “Diddy” Eshelman Kunkel, 90, of Lancaster, died Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Moravian Manor Nursing Home Health Center. Born in Lancaster on October 23, 1921, she was the daughter of the late John J. and Vivian Castle Eshelman, and had been married to A. King Kunkel, Jr. for 42 years until his death in 1987.

Diddy graduated from Manheim Township High School in 1938 and enjoyed getting together with her classmates to plan and celebrate many reunions. She was a 1942 graduate of Connecticut College. After college, Diddy worked in accounting at the corporate headquarters of the former Armstrong Cork Company for several years. She also worked for the United Way during the fall campaigns in the late 1960s, and for the Mental Health America of Lancaster County as Executive Director for eleven years from 1972 to 1983.

A devoted community volunteer, Diddy was a past president of the Junior League of Lancaster, former board member of the Community Action Program, a Manheim Township School Board Director, and member of the League of Women Voters of Lancaster County. Her name was added to the Anna Estes Strawbridge Honor Roll of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania in 1995 for her outstanding community service and she received a Red Rose from the Lancaster New Era on January 11, 2000 for organizing League of Women Voter candidate forums for Lancaster County voters before primaries and general elections. She was a longtime member, Consistory member, and Sunday School teacher at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. Diddy was a founding board member of Mental Health America of Lancaster County and, while Executive Director, was instrumental in the launching of a number of mental health programs sponsored by the association. She served as a volunteer for decades with the Lancaster Alpha Club and Arch Street Center for mental health clients. As Mental Health America of Lancaster County celebrated 45 years of service, Diddy was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.

She is survived by three children and their families: Arthur K. Kunkel, III, and his wife, Carol (Connor) of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and their sons, John Paul Kunkel of Los Angeles, California, and Randall C. Kunkel (and wife Erica Lowe) of Louisville, Kentucky; Vivian E. (Kunkel) Wolfe and her husband, Jeffrey J. Wolfe of Lancaster, and their sons, Jeffrey R. Wolfe of Pottstown and Brian K. Wolfe of Lancaster; and George D. Kunkel, and his wife, Kathryn (Byers) of Lancaster, and their daughter, Lindsey Kunkel of Philadelphia. Diddy is also survived by a sister, Mary Ann Kline of Lancaster, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by three siblings, Virginia P. “Gingy” Cunningham, Catharine E. “Mimi” Good, and John W. Eshelman, and a grandson, Arthur K. Kunkel, IV.

A memorial service will be held at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 816 Buchanan Avenue, Lancaster, on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Bonnie Hollinger and Rev. Robert W. Muise officiating. The family will receive friends and family at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. A private internment at Conestoga Memorial Park will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Mental Health America of Lancaster County, 630 Janet Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17601; League of Women Voters of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 1261, Lancaster, PA 17608, or St. Peter’s UCC Endowment Fund.

Betty L. Graeff, 90, of Lancaster died at home Monday evening, May 7, 2012. Born in Leesport, PA she was the daughter of the late John H. and Florence Kissinger Schlear. Betty was the wife of the late Roger M. Graeff, who died in 1990, with whom she celebrated 46 years of marriage.

Betty was a graduate of Otelaunee High School where she was the class Valedictorian. She worked for Bell of PA as Traffic Supervisor from 1940 – 1947. A homemaker, she enjoyed sewing and reading, traveling and her dogs Seb and Andy. She was a former member of Gernants United Church of Christ in Leesport.

Betty is survived by her son Steven R. husband of Marjorie J. Graeff of Hummelstown, PA. In addition to her husband Roger she was preceded in death by her sister, Evelyn Londhair.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Memorials in Betty’s name may be made to The American Cancer Society, 314 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603.

Eileen A. Kreider, 86, of Lancaster County passed away peacefully with her family at her side at Hospice of Lancaster County on May 1, 2012. Born in Dauphin County, she was the daughter of the late James W. and Virginia I. Booth Grant. Eileen was the wife of the late John R. Kreider, Jr. with whom she celebrated 59 years of marriage prior to his death in 2006.

Eileen worked at the law firm of Wentz, Weaver, and Kling as a legal secretary and was a member of the Church of the Apostles, Lancaster. She was also a member of Eastern Star, James Buchanan Chapter #315.

She is survived by her two sons: John R. Kreider III, husband of Elizabeth A. Kreider of Sykesville, MD, and James P. Kreider, husband of Leigh T. Kreider of Damascus, MD, four grandsons: John R. Kreider IV, husband of Margery M. Kreider, Robert A. Kreider, James E. Kreider, and David R. Kreider. She also loved her great grand daughter Sarah E. Kreider, daughter of John and Margery.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Eileen’s Memorial Service on Monday, May 7, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Apostles, 1850 Marietta Avenue, with the Rev. Richard W. Cowles officiating. The family will receive friends at a reception following the service at the church. Private interment will be held in Zeltenreich Cemetery. Please omit flowers. Memorials in Eileen’s name may be made to The American Cancer Society, 314 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603 or Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125 or www.hospiceoflancaster.org.

Stephen James LaMaster, 58, of Lancaster died at home on Tuesday, April 24, 2011. Born in Wilmington, DE on October 18, 1953 he was the son of the late Dean V. and Helen N. Long LaMaster. Last June he and his wife Cynthia Duncan LaMaster celebrated 31 years of marriage.

Steve graduated from Penn Manor High School in 1971. He began his working life in his parents’ store, LaMaster’s, on the corner of Fairview and Wabank in Lancaster, then at Watt & Shand and Fairview Avenue Rentals. Before retiring, Steve worked at Black & Decker as a Senior Service Technician.

He was a member of the NRA, Columbia Fish & Game Association and a lifetime member of the Penn Manor Alumni Association. He loved to read about African big game hunting, watch movies and listen to jazz and rock and roll, especially Jimi Hendrix. Animals were a lifetime passion, whether raising or reading about them. Steve will be missed dearly by his friends and family.

In addition to his wife, Steve is survived by his three daughters Samantha M. (Shawn) Floyd of Columbia, SC, Christina M. (Thomas) Zimmerman of Carlisle, PA, Deanna M. LaMaster (Edward Woestman) of Lancaster, PA; three grandsons Christopher and Caleb Floyd and Zachary Zimmerman.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to Steve’s Memorial Service on Friday, April 27, 2012 at Grace Lutheran Church, 517 N. Queen Street, Lancaster at 11:00 a.m. His family will greet friends at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Service. Interment will be in Conestoga Memorial Park. Kindly omit flowers, Memorials may be made in Steve’s name to National Wildlife Federation, 11100 Wildlife Center Dr, Reston, VA 20190-5362.

Dorothy N. Elmer, 98, died suddenly at Lancaster General Hospital on Friday, April 20, 2012. Born in Columbia, PA she was the daughter of the late John and Marie Vogel Nissley. She was the wife of the late R. Sterling Elmer who died in 1989.

She attended Millersville Normal School. Dorothy was an elementary school teacher in various one room schools in the Washington Boro area. As a longtime member of St. Paul’s United Methodist now El Redentor & St. Paul’s UMC, she taught Sunday school for many years. She was a member of The Farm Women and The United Methodist Women and enjoyed reading, traveling and gardening.

Dorothy is survived by, three daughters; Dorothy Canter of Strasburg, PA, Judith Zodet (Willi) of Lancaster, PA and Melissa Mayer (Max) of Lake Wales, FL; a son, Robert Sterling, Elmer of Pocomoke City, MD; a brother, Charles Nissley (Esther) of Washington Boro, PA, and 11 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson. She was predeceased by two brothers: Jonas and Andrew Nissley.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Dorothy’s Funeral Service on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at El Redentor & St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 10 W. Farnum Street, Lancaster, PA at 11:00 a.m. with the Pastor Brunilda Martinez officiating. The family will greet friends at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be in Conestoga Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dorothy’s memory to El Redentor & St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 10 W. Farnum Street, Lancaster, PA 17603.