14
• Upper Bucks Free Press • March 2015
~Obituaries~ MARY E. (THOMAS) HIXSON, 97, of Quakertown died January 3, 2015 in her home. She was the wife of the late Dale W. Hixson. Born in Springfield Township, Bucks County near Coopersburg, she was the daughter of the late John & Maria (Wingard) Thomas. Many years ago she was employed by the former Artistic Glass Company in Trumbauersville. She was a member of Grace Bible Fellowship Church in Quakertown and a former member and served many years as a Deaconess at First Church of the Brethren in Quakertown. In her later years she enjoyed visiting with family and playing Parcheesi. Mary greatly enjoyed and loved her caregivers in the last few years. She is survived by her children D. Wayne (Barbara) of Atwater, CA, Richard L. (Joyce) of Sacramento, CA, Barry J. of Bethlehem, Deanna L. Unger (Sam) of Wabash, IN, John W. (Gail) of Coopersburg, and Sandra L. Wolfinger (Gary) of Quakertown. Eighteen grandchildren and twentynine great grandchildren. She was predeceased by a daughter Sylvia A. Belzner, a grandson Ricky, brother John, and sisters Elda, Evelyn, Jeanette, Susan, Ethel, Kathryn, Lydia, and Lillian., a son in law Wilhelm Belzner, and a daughter in law Susan Hixson. Grace Bible Fellowship Church, 1811 N. Old Bethlehem Pike, Quakertown, PA 18951. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorial contributions to the Church Mission Fund at the above address. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown. HAROLD “JAKE” WOLFINGER, 89 of Quakertown died Thursday January 29, 2015 in Independence Court where he resided. He was the husband of Anna H. (Hartzell) Wolfinger. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary last May. Born in Quakertown he was the son of the late Wilmer and Esther (Drumbore) Wolfinger. Before his retirement he was the second generation owner operator along with his wife of the former H. Wolfinger & Son Inc. in Quakertown which later became the Rich Wolfinger Painting & Papering owned by his son Richard the third generation and now owned by his grandson Keith the fourth generation owner. He also owned the former J. K. J. Transport Co. a long distance transportation company. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran serving on the USS Tutuila during World War II. He was also a member of the Sellersville
VFW and the Quakertown American Legion. He was an exempt member of the West End Fire Company and a life member of both the Paletown Rod and Gun Club and the former Quakertown Moose. Jake also volunteered and supported the Trumbauersville Lions Club. In addition to his wife he is survived by a son Richard A. (June) of Quakertown, a daughter Teena Derkosh and her husband William Corry of North Wales. Three grandchildren Jason Derkosh (Liz), Keith Wolfinger (Jamie), Janel Derkosh (Michael), three great grandchildren Camryn Mueller, Mara Derkosh, Caden Wolfinger, a sister Naomi Harpel of Telford. Predeceased by a great grandson Maddox Derkosh, two brothers Roy, and Walter, and a sister Edna Wenhold. Per Jake’s wishes there will be no services. The C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk. com) Quakertown is handling the arrangements. Contributions in Jake’s name can be made to his late great grandson’s non-profit charitable trust: Trucks For Maddox P.O. Box 14862 Pittsburgh, PA 15234 or trucksformaddox.org THOMAS M. MIKOLAI, 61, of Quakertown, Formerly of Horsham did Friday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital Hospice Unit, Allentown. He as the loving husband of Michelle (Hentz) Mikolai for the past 34 years. He was a construction estimator for Contracting Systems Inc., formerly Biehn Construction, for over 35 years. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, he was a son of the late Frank & Kathryn (Dixon) Mikolai. Surviving with his wife are his children Scott, Brett, Melissa Wright (Brian), & Erin; grandchildren, Ethan & Quinn; brother, George; & sister Joan Caraway (Butch). Memorial contributions in his name may be made to Penn Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, 3400 Civic Center Blvd., Phila. PA 19104 www.janauglefcs.com LAURETTA G. GREY, 76, of Trumbauersville, died Fri. Jan. 30 in Grand View Hospital. She was the loving wife of John M. Grey for 59 years. She worked in the consumer loan department of QNB for a number of years before retiring. Previously, she had worked for the former Hess Dept. store, Quakertown and Emico, Inc.,
Trumbauersville. Born in Bethlehem, she was a daughter of the late Richard Weiss and Julia (Calabrette) Nalepa Harig. She was raised by her step-father the late Stanley Nalepa. She as a member of St. Isidore Catholic Church, Quakertown. Surviving are her daughters, Teri Smith, husband Tom, and Gina Ritter, husband Gary, of Quakertown; grandchildren TJ, Joe, Mike, Tami, Angela, Ashley, Amanda, & Adam; greatgrandchildren Madison, Gavin, Virginia, Nevan, Zander, & Julia; & step-father George Harig, Douglassville. She was predeceased by infant son, John and infant grandson, Gary. Interment in St. Isidore Cemetery will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions in her name should be directed to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852 www.janauglefcs.com OSCAR H. K. BUTZ, 89, of Spinnerstown, died Sun. Feb. 1st at St. Luke’s University Hopsital, Bethlehem. He was the husband of the late Mary (Seas) Butz. He worked as a machine operator for the former W.R. Grace & Co., Quakertown, for 35 years prior to his retirement in 1987. Born in Center Valley, he was a son of the late Harvey and Lillie (Kaufman) Butz. The farm where he was raised is now a part of DeSales University. In his spare time, he enjoyed repairing small engines and appliances. He also enjoyed taking care of his home garden. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Spinnerstown. Surviving are his sons, Kenneth, wife Carol of Quakertown, Arlan, wife Donna of Center Valley, and Roger, wife Jennie of Glen Rock; grandchildren, Melissa, Jonathan, Kevin, Jesse, Nelson, Jason, John, Nick and Nicole; great grandchildren, Emerick, Dresden, Savannah, Max, MacKenna, Anastasia, Hayley, Millie and Mason. He was predeceased by brothers, Corson and Edwin and sisters, Elsie Harwick and Stella Mease. Interment at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. JAMES HAMILTON, 87, of Coopersburg, died Tues. Feb. 3rd at LifeQuest Nursing Center, Quakertown. He was the loving husband of Gladys (Heimbach) Hamilton for 65 years. Born in Souderton, he was a son of the late Joseph and Esther (Hendricks) Hamilton. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII as a private first class in the 5th Marine Division, 28th Regiment. He had his commercial pilot’s license and enjoyed flying. He enjoyed working on his farm and in his apple orchard. He was a member of West Swamp Mennonite Church, Quakertown. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and he is now in the hands of the Lord. Surviving with his wife are sons, Greg, wife Linda of Allentown, Ron, wife Karen of Coopersburg, Rick, wife Debbie of Coopersburg and Jeffrey of Allentown; daughters, Patricia Strelecki, husband Karol, and Peg Hamilton of Emmaus; grandchildren, Jason, Eric, Alexis, Nikolas, Ryan, Luke, Matthew, Joseph, Megen, Blaise, Tyler and Rachel; great grandchildren, thirteen; brother, Ted, wife Helen, of Trumbauersville. He was predeceased by sisters, Dorothy Hersh and Nancy Kotulka. Memorial contributions can be made to the West Swamp Mennonite Church Elevator Fund. www.janauglefcs.com WILLIAM H. HAIGH, 90, of Trumbauersville died February 5, 2015 in Independence Court, Quakertown where he was a resident. He was the husband of the late Frances T. (Kulik) Haigh. Born in Richland Township, PA he was the son of the late William S. & Helen (Ehrig) Haigh. He worked for the former Artistic Glass Co., in Trumbauersville before retiring. Prior to that he worked for the former David Crystal Co. in Trumbauersville. William was a former member and past president of the Trumbauersville Borough Council, and was a Borough representative of the Trumbauersville Milford Sewer Authority. He was a U. S. Army Veteran serving during WW II. He was a member of St. John’s U.C.C. in Richlandtown and attended St. Isidore’s Catholic Church in Quakertown. William is survived by a daughter Susan E. Coulston and her husband William W., Jr. Two grandchildren Ryan C. & Samantha L. a sister Eva Shelmire. Predeceased by a son William M. C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. 821 W. Broad St. Quakertown, PA 18951 MARGARET D. “PEG” STOPKA, 84 of Quakertown, died Wed. Feb. 11th at Valley Manor Nursing Home, Coopersburg. She worked in housekeeping at Grandview Hospital, Sellersville for 30 years. She also worked for the former H.L. Hosiery, Quakertown. Born in Bedminster Twp., she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Irene (Leibohorsky) Stopka.
She attended Faith Baptist Church, Sellersville for many years. Surviving are her sisters, Charlotte Irene Coney of Orlando, FL and Ethel M. Condict of Quakertown; 25 nieces and nephews and 19 great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Charles Stopka and a sister, Kay Funk. Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions can be made to Faith Baptist Church, 700 N. Main Street, Sellersville, PA 18960. www.janauglefcs.com SUSAN NELL EDGE: 10/26/1956-1/28/2015 Susan Nell Edge, age 58, Newnan GA, formerly of Quakertown, PA passed away at Piedmont Newnan Hospital, Newnan, GA on Wednesday, January 28,2015. Bom in Quakertown, PA, she was the daughter to the late Wilham F. and Jane Reed Edge. She graduated from Quakertown High School, worked at Ann Bailey’s Bridal in Doylestown for many years before starting Haycock Roofing & Siding with Brian Kreifels. She is survived by a son, Patrick Kerwin Kelly, the Love of her life Brian Kreifels, brother and sisters; David W. Edge (Bonnie Rothrock), Nancy Edge Morgan (Ronald) of Quakertown and Carol Edge Looney (Ken) of New Castle, VA. She is also survived by Brian’s daughter, Jacklyn Kreifels, 2 grandchildren Ryan and Travis, Father Duane Kreifels and sisters, Mari, Linda and Vicki. She was predeceased by her son, Kyle Reed Kelly. A Graveside Service for family and friends will be held on April 4,2015,11:00am at Union Cemetery, Quakertown, PA GRACE E. LANDES, 93 of Quakertown, died Mon. Feb. 16th. She was the loving wife of the late Lester C. Landes. Born in Royersford, she was a daughter of the late George W. and Amy (Smith) Hartley. Surviving are her sons, Terry (Joan), Larry (Nancy), Roger (Susan), Ray (Denise), George (Patti); daughters, Alayne (William) Parigian, Janice (David) Arnold, Carol Landes; brothers, Ralph (Bobbi), Chester (Marsha), Harold (Betty), Richard (Mary); sister, Sarah (Norman) Chappell; 15 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brothers, Wilmer and Kenneth; sister, Dorothy Mansure and her twin infant brother, Howard. Memorial contributions can be made to East Swamp Mennonite Church, 2405 East Swamp Road, Quakertown, PA 18951 or First Baptist Church, 1600 N 5th Street, Perkasie, PA 18944 www.janauglefcs.com CALVIN H. RUTH, 93, of Quakertown, died Wednesday, February 18, 2015. He resided in the house where he was born on Sept., 11, 1921. He was the son of Calvin Nicholas Ruth and Josephine (Spitznagel) Suelke Ruth. He was a graduate of the Quakertown High School class of 1940 and was employed as an art teacher in the Quakertown School District for over 27 years. He also taught in Hatfield and Souderton prior to coming to Quakertown. His career in teaching began at the Perkiomen Prep School in Pennsburg from 1944 to 1952. Mr. Ruth graduated from the Philadelphia College of Art with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and held a Master of Fine Art degree from the Stella Elkins Tyler School of Fine Art of Temple University. He also did graduate work at Lehigh University. He was an accomplished artist, painting landscapes and architectural structures in oil and watercolor. Mr. Ruth was a five star member of the Valley Forge Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and a life member of the Montgomery County Historical Society, Valley Forge Historical Society, and Goshenhoppen Historians, all in Montgomery County. Also he was a member of the Bucks County Conservancy and the Quakertown Historical Society. He had been a member, a director and librarian of the Richland Library in Quakertown. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Upper Bucks County SPCA, 60 Reservoir Road, Quakertown, PA 18951. www.janauglefcs.com LEONARD P. FOX, SR., 92 of Quakertown, died Fri. Feb. 20th at St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital. He worked various jobs, most recently as custodian at Haycock Elementary School. Born in Quakertown, he was a son of the late Walter and Rachael (Schaeffer) Fox. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He was an active member of the American Legion William Wallace Keller Post 242, Quakertown. He enjoyed hunting and sailing and was an avid football fan. Surviving are his sons, Leonard Fox Jr., wife Karen of Bluff Point, NY and Durell Fox wife Valerie of Center Valley; daughters, Marilyn Heffentrager of Quakertown, Doreen