Obituaries for Perry County for the weeks preceding April 20.
AGNES P. GUSLER
Agnes Pearl Gusler, 74, of Duncannon passed away on Friday, April 5, 2024, at home.
She was born May 6, 1949, in Harrisburg, the beloved daughter of Agnes (Liddick) Smith.
She leaves behind a legacy filled with love, devotion, and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She enjoyed spending time with her family, camping, going to the races, shopping, and the beach.
One of six children, she is survived by two brothers, George Smith of Wellsville and Robert Smith of Duncannon, and twin sisters, who were separated at birth, Kathrine and Claire; sons, Richard Shaffer (Chris) and Donald Shaffer (Harva Jean), both of Duncannon; daughters, Sue Williams (Robert) of Duncannon and Kathy Reed (Steve) of Dauphin; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and a wealth of family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother; her husband, Richard Gusler, who died Aug. 10, 2019; and a brother, John Smith.
A service was held April 9 in Ronald C.L. Smith Funeral Home, Duncannon, with Doug Gusler officiating. She and her husband were laid to rest in Union Cemetery, Duncannon.
ROBERT E. SMILEY
Robert E. “Jack” Smiley, 87, of Shermans Dale passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Transitions Healthcare Allen’s Cove, Duncannon.
He was born Dec. 29, 1936, in Shermans Dale to George W. and Martheena A. (Sheaffer) Smiley.
He worked as a machinist at Capital Products, Mechanicsburg, as a skilled machinist (in the dye shop) and later retired from Joseph’s Machine Shop, Dillsburg. He loved working on cars in his garage, hunting, fishing, the dirt track, NASCAR, and shooting team pool at New Bloomfield VFW Post 7463. He was a former member of New Bloomfield Fire Company Men’s Club, Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Carlisle, and Turnpike Ramblers Motorcycle Club, Carlisle. He was a hard worker and always was quick to laugh and help others. Above all, he will be remembered as a loving husband, father, son, grandfather and brother.
Surviving are his wife of more than 68 years, Jean W. (Luckenbaugh) Smiley of Shermans Dale; three daughters, Deborah Douglass, married to Keith, Lori Gold, married to Stephen, and Stacey Ocker, married to Wayne; three grandsons, Matthew, Jason and Brandon; three granddaughters, Lauren, Krista and Sarah; 12 great-grandchildren, Ashley, Alexis, Lillie, Ryan, Olivia, Emma, Mason, Trevor, Shane, Lucas, Lexi and Lorelai; and two sisters, Sandra Campbell and Sharon Nasuti.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Shirley Negley; a brother, George W. “Dick” Smiley; and two infant sons, Robert E. Smiley Jr. and James W. Smiley.
A service was held April 16 in Bethel Independent Church, Marysville. Burial was in Grier Point Cemetery.
Michael J. Shalonis Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Marysville, handled arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grane Hospice, 1200 Camp Hill Bypass, Suite 205, Camp Hill 17011.
KENNETH H. THEBES
Kenneth Henry Thebes, 81, of New Bloomfield passed away Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill.
He was born Nov. 7, 1942, in Harrisburg to Gustave W. and Merna Eby (Greaney) Thebes.
He was a high school graduate and served six years in the Air Force. He worked as a surveyor and a draftsman, retiring from Gannett Fleming after 35 years. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 319, New Bloomfield, and New Bloomfield Lions Club. He liked HO scale trains and airplanes, going to air shows, drawing, playing basketball and football, and spending time with his family.
Surviving are his wife of nearly 60 years, Wanda J. (Van Slochteren) Thebes; a son, Roger B. Thebes and wife Becky; a daughter, Linda J. Thebes; two brothers, Frederick D. Thebes and Keith G. Thebes; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several extended family.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Francis Eric Thebes, and his mother-in-law, Edna E. Hammontree.
A celebration of his life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 27, at The Dream, 2420 Cold Storage Road, New Bloomfield.
MARSHALL C. KERSTETTER
Marshall C. “Henner” “Snuffy” Kerstetter, 89, formerly of Port Trevorton, entered eternal rest on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at Nottingham Village.
He was born Jan. 24, 1935, in Chapman Twp., Snyder County, to William Henry and Iva Stella (Kerstetter) Kerstetter.
He attended Locust Grove School. Early in life, he dredged for coal on the Susquehanna River. He was employed as a forklift operator at Houser Homes and later Thor Industries, from where he retired.
He enjoyed racing, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and junking with his son, David.
Surviving are his loving wife of 61 years, Arlene S. (Thierolf) Kerstetter; three children, Jeffrey Kerstetter and his wife Linda of Northumberland, Karen Barge and her husband Ronnie of Mt. Pleasant Mills, and Tammy Herrold and her husband Keith of Port Trevorton; daughter-in-law, Deborah Kerstetter of Port Trevorton; two grandchildren, Cody Kerstetter of Port Trevorton and Brittany Martin and her husband Shane of Mt. Pleasant Mills; and three great-grandchildren, Aidan, Trevin and Alaina.
He was preceded in death by a son, David Kerstetter; three brothers, Harvey Kerstetter, John Kerstetter and Albert Kerstetter; and a sister, Anna (Kerstetter) Brosius.
A service was held April 13 in George P. Garman Funeral Home, Mt. Pleasant Mills, Interment was in Grubbs Church Cemetery.
JOHN B. SWARNER
John B. Swarner, known to many as “Barry,” 80, of Shermans Dale peacefully passed away on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at his home.
He was born Oct. 12, 1943, in Carlisle to the late John G. “Jack” and Hazel R. (Baer) Swarner.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Surviving are his devoted wife of 59 years, Barbara M. (Brownawell) Swarner; two daughters, Lori Hoffman (Terry) and Lisa Fry (Warren), both of Shermans Dale; four grandchildren, Morgan Sheffield (Dustin), Mackenzie Hoffman (Paige Detweiler), Melissa Eldridge (Jimmy) and Jonathan Fry; six (almost seven) great-grandchildren, Dylan, Caysen, Bruce, Thomas, Skylynn, Octavia and baby Hoffman, due to be born soon; and his loyal canine companion, Benji.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Brenda L. Gitt, who died in 2007.
He graduated in 1963 from Carlisle High School and a year later married the love of his life, Barbara Brownawell. He was a landscaper with Davis Nurseries, which then became Davis Landscape, for more than 42 years, from which he retired in 2012. He was an active volunteer in his community. He was a former member of First Church of God, Carlisle. He volunteered for more than 10 years with the Perry County Fair, where he helped with the antique toy building, and Perry County Food Bank. In his rare free time, he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved to watch his great-grandson play baseball, and excitedly planned and traveled winter trips to Florida and attending the Daytona 500 race.
A service will be held in Nickel-Lochstampfor Family Funeral Home, Loysville, on Thursday, April 18. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by the service at 11 with pastor Dale Detweiler officiating. Interment will be in Reibers Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Bloomfield Senior Center, 225 W. Main St., New Bloomfield 17068.
RHONDA M. HAAS
Rhonda Mae Haas, 68, of Elliottsburg passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Broward Health Medical Center, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
She was born April 14, 1955, to the late Riley O. and Ivetta M. (Johnson) Neidigh of Blain.
She graduated from West Perry High School in 1973. After high school, she attended Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1977 with a bachelor of science degree. She worked at The Bank of Landisburg for 12 years. Afteward, she and her sister were co-owners of RH2, Inc., Accounting and Tax Services, Loysville, until 2022.
She loved God and her church families, Mt. Zion and Tressler Free Lutheran churches. She dearly loved her family, including her husband, two children, two grandchildren and siblings and their families. In her free time, she loved traveling, especially cruising the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea, traveling with two especially close and dear friends. She loved spending time at the family cabin in the Pennsylvania wilds, enjoying everything that nature has to offer, but especially searching for the elusive elk herd, which would often graze on the grass in the front yard.
In service to her church and community, she was the current treasurer of her church, treasurer of the Zion Cemetery Association, and treasurer of the Mt. Zion Friendship Circle. Duties over the years included Sunday school teacher for the youth, church band director and choir director. Outside of the church, she served the community on various boards — West Perry School Board, Perry County Literacy Council, Perlo Ridge Apartments and Shermans Valley Apartments, as well as volunteered for non-profit organizations.
Surviving are her husband of 44 years, Dan M. Haas; a son, Dustin M. Haas and wife Brooke A. of Elliottsburg; a daughter, Danielle M. Hull and husband David L. of Carlisle; two grandchildren, Deacon M. and Delaney M.; a brother, Robert O. Neidigh and wife Pamela A. of Blain; and a sister, Renee J. Hoke and husband Leon R. of Shippensburg.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald M. Neidigh, who died in 1988.
She will be dearly missed by her family and friends here on earth, but she has joined Jesus Christ in Heaven where she now is reunited with all of her loving family and friends who went to their eternal home ahead of her.
A service was held April 13 in Mt. Zion Free Lutheran Church, Landisburg, with pastor David Lusk officiating.
Nickel Lochstampfor Family Funeral Home, Loysville, handled arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Zion Free Lutheran, 800 Falling Spring Road, Landisburg 17040, or UPMC Hilman Cancer Center, 2020 Technology Parkway, Suite 3200, Mechanicsburg 17050.
GEORGE R. YOHN
George R. Yohn, 98, of Millerstown passed away Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Transitions Allen Cove, Duncannon.
He was born Nov. 2, 1925, in Millerstown to George G. and Erma Yohn.
He was drafted into the Army during World War II and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. Upon honorable discharge, he worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad, from which he retired. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and trips to Ocean City, Md. He was a member and past commander of Chubb-Stroup VFW Post, Millerstown, member of Liverpool American Legion and Millerstown Moose Family Center and served the Millerstown Riverview Cemetery for many years.
He was the widower of Evelyn J. (Metherell) Yohn.
Surviving are four children, George (Laurine), Ronnie, Darwin “Mush” (Treva) and Tony; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Donna; and a brother, Denny.
He was preceded in death by a brother, David, and three sisters, Joan, Winifred and Madeline.
A service was held April 11 in Highland Presbyterian Church, Newport. Interment was in Millerstown Cemetery.
David M. Myers Funeral Home, Newport, handled arrangements.
BONNIE L. BAKER
Bonnie L. Baker, 75, of Duncannon passed away peacefully on Friday, April 5, 2024, at her home in Penn Twp.
She was born Wednesday, July 21, 1948, in Harrisburg to the late Ned and Ruth (Spigelmyer) Baker.
She worked as a stenographer for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and later the Pennsylvania State Police for more than 37 years. She was on the board of SMFA as secretary for seven years. Above all, she will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend.
Surviving are a daughter, Roxann M. (Dare) Kennedy, married to Eric, and a granddaughter, Kimberly L. Kennedy, all of Duncannon; a brother, Reed, married to Deb Baker, of Duncannon; and extended family and caring friends.
A memorial service will be held at noon, Saturday, April 20, in Marysville Church of God, 106 Maple Ave. with pastor Rodger Scheuing officiating. Visitation with the family will be held 11 a.m. until the time of the service.
Michael J. Shalonis Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Marysville, is handling arrangements.
HARRIET E. FLEISHER
Harriet E. Fleisher, 95, of Marysville passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, at her home in Rye Twp.
She was born Tuesday, May 8, 1928, in Dauphin to Hiram and Sylvia (McKelvey) Lyter.
She was a lifelong member of Glenvale Church of God, Marysville, where she celebrated her lifelong devotion to the Lord. She also was heavily involved with the Marysville Senior Center until the time she retired.
She was the widow of William S. Fleisher, who died Saturday, April 1, 2017, and to whom she was married for more than 69 years.
Surviving are a son, Gregory L. Fleisher, husband of Lori, of Marysville; four grandchildren, Jennifer Cromleigh, married to Jonathan, and Matthew Fleisher, married to Ashley, both of Marysville, Tara Fleisher of Mechanicsburg and Mandy Nace, married to Dustin, of Philadelphia; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Billy Fleisher; a daughter, Sylvia Fleisher; and a brother, George Lyter.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, April 19, in her church, 1970 New Valley Road, Marysville, with pastor Larry Hale officiating. A time of visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the service.
Michael J. Shalonis Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Marysville, is handling arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gentiva Hospice, 205 Grandview Ave., Suite 304, Camp Hill 17011, or her church.
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