Obituaries

Kenneth S. Kleinbach, 87, husband of Erika H. (Martin) Kleinbach, of Peter Becker Community, formerly of Green Lane, passed away Thursday, May 6, 2010 at Grand View Hospital.  He and his wife celebrated 64 years of marriage on November 10.

Born in Perkiomenville, he was a son of the late Frederick K. and Rosa (Speiss) Kleinbach.  He was a 1940 graduate of East Greenville High School.

He was a partner then owner from 1946 to 1986 of the former Fred K. Kleinbach Sons, Inc., Green Lane, a fuel oil, lumber, coal and feed business. After retirement he was school bus driver.  During World War II he served in the 540th Army Engineers and attended the 50th Anniversary Remembrance of the Invasion of Anzio in Italy.  He was an Upper Perkiomen School Board member from 1952-1976 and donated the press box at the Upper Perkiomen football field. He was a lifelong member St. John’s Lutheran Church, a director for Western Montgomery County Vo-Tech School; treasurer for 11 years of Montgomery Co. Redevelopment Authority; a zoning officer for Green Lane Borough; a member and former volunteer for the Green Lane Fire Co. and Ambulance Assoc.; a former Boy Scout leader and youth baseball coach and member of a Grundsow Lodge.

Surviving, along with his wife, are four children: Dennis K. Kleinbach, and wife, Sabine, of Half Moon Bay, California, Keith K. Kleinbach, and wife, Dale, of Pennsburg, Fred K. Kleinbach, and wife, Lauren, of Perkiomenville and Lisa E. Kleinbach, and companion, W. Joseph Fleshman, of Devon; a brother, Wilmer S. Kleinbach, of Telford; four grandchildren: Amy Derstine, and Joshua, Kristian and Shannon Kleinbach; and five great-grandchildren: Alesandra, Rachael, Jacob, Ryan and Nathaniel. He was predeceased by four brothers: Charles, Edward, Donald and Frederick Kleinbach and four sisters: Margaret Kleinbach, Dorothy Miller, Edith Hipszer and Alma Andrews Kohl. 

A funeral service was held Tuesday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sumneytown with Rev. Charles H. Eiss, Jr. officiating.  Mann-Slonaker Funeral Home, 222 Washington Street, East Greenville was in charge of the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to St. John’s Lutheran Church, P O Box 255, Sumneytown, PA 18084.

Mary J. Garis, 86, formerly of Red Hill and Pennsburg, died May 6, 2010.  Born in Oneida, she was a daughter of the late August and Johanna (Rusnock) Dzurenda.

She was a bookkeeper, first for Robert M. Koffel, building contractor, Harleysville, then for Gerald Mullaney, attorney, Red Hill, and finally for the Open Line, Pennsburg.  She was a member of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Pennsburg.  She was past treasurer for the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion, Post #184, Palm.

Surviving is a son, John, and his wife, Robin (Smeltz), of Pennsburg; a daughter, Jane, wife of Clarence Purvis, of San Diego, California; brothers: Michael Dzurenda, of Texas; Joseph Dzurenda, of New Jersey; Thomas Dzurenda, of Harleysville; and John Dzurenda, of Pennsburg; and grandchildren:  Michael Purvis, Kristina and Vanessa Garis.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, May 14, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Pennsburg.  A viewing will be from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. on Friday at the Falk Funeral Homes & Crematory, 163 Main Street, Pennsburg.  Interment will be in Hazelton.

Contributions may be made to St. Philip Neri Church Building Fund.  To offer on-line condolences, please visit www.falkfuneralhomes.com.

      Joseph F. Fischer, 83, beloved husband of Rose T. (Goldschmidt) Fischer, of Red Hill, formerly of Philadelphia, Latrobe, Pennsylvania and Wilmington, North Carolina, died Tuesday, May 4, 2010 in St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital.

Born in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Nicholas and Magdalene “Molly” (Buschbacher) Fischer.

He was a sales manager for Fruehauf Corporation for many years before retiring in 1988.  He also was an upright bass musician and part owner of The Music Masters, Southampton.  He was an avid golfer and ham radio operator.  He enjoyed listening to jazz music.

He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, during which he played in a military band and was an aircraft mechanic. He was a graduate of Northeast Catholic High School. He was a member of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church.

Surviving, along with his wife, are seven children: Beth Austin, (Ed), of Wycombe, Joseph Fischer, Jr., of Huntingdon Valley, Nicholas Fischer, of Greensburg, Mary Alyce Driver, (Michael), of Boulder, Colorado, Mark Fischer, (Mary Lee), of Panama City, Florida, Theresa Stumpo, (Rocco), of Warwick, and Andrew Fischer, (Krisanne Stecklair,) of Southampton; and nine grandchildren: Alyssa, Margaret, Ian, Douglas, Nicky, Elliot, Justin, Carol and Alyson.

A funeral mass was celebrated at11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at St. Philip Neri Church, 1325 Klinerd Road, Pennsburg.  Interment followed in Holy Sepulcher Cemetery.  Family and friends were invited to the viewing from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Arrangements are by Mann-Slonaker Funeral Home, East Greenville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

                Franklin M. Gottshall Jr., 79, of Station Road, Palm, died April 30, 2010 at home.  He was the husband of Ruth (Mest) Gottshall.  They celebrated their 57th anniversary last October.

                Born in Limerick, he was a son of the late Franklin and Lillian (Heffner) Gottshall.  He was employed at Knoll International, East Greenville, for over 20 years.  Prior to that, he was a route salesman for the former Brunner Bakery, East Greenville.  He was a member of New Goshenhoppen UCC, East Greenville.  He was an excellent woodworker and belonged to the Keystone Woodworker’s Club, Limerick.

Surviving, with his wife, is a daughter, Susan, of Macungie; a granddaughter, Rachel; a brother, Carl Gottshall, of Pottstown; and a sister, Emma Nixon of Gilbertsville.  He was pre-deceased by his brother, Paul Gottshall.

Services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday at New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ, 1070 Church Road, East Greenville.  A viewing was from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the church.  Burial followed at Palm Schwenkfelder Cemetery, Palm.

Contributions may be made to New Goshenhoppen Church.  To offer on-line condolences, please visit his Book of Memories at www.falkfuneralhomes.com.

                Edna M. (Baseley) Shelly, 81, of the Peter Becker Community, Harleysville, and formerly of Chapel, Red Hill, and Hatfield, died Sunday, May 2, 2010.  She was the widow of Irwin M. Shelly.  She was born in Pennsauken, New Jersey.

She was a daughter of the late Tracey C. and Mary E. (McKnight) Baseley.  She was a long-time member of West Swamp Mennonite Church, Quakertown.

Edna graduated from East Greenville High School in 1947.  She met her husband, Irwin, when their large families lived across the Perkiomen Creek from each other in East Greenville. Edna’s proudest achievements in her life were raising her six children, and welcoming 16 grandchildren and five great- grandchildren.  While still active, she enjoyed baking for her family, singing in the church choir and teaching Sunday school. She worked part-time in sales at Leh’s and Hess’s department stores.  She loved the many visits of family and friends during her long illness, and got pleasure from pictures and stories of family.  Edna’s grace and positive attitude were an inspiration to all who knew her.

She is survived by sons: Dennis, and wife, Barbara, of Broomall, Stephen, and wife, Kathryn, James, and wife, Brenda, both of Hatfield; daughters: Nancy, wife of Donald Jacobs, of East Greenville; Linda, wife of Christopher Campbell, of Pennsburg, and Alice, wife of Douglas Rusk, of Austin, Texas; 16 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; siblings: twin sister, Elsie Miller; sisters: Irene Hamman, Ada Yoder, and Betty Cattermole; brothers: William and Richard Baseley.  She was preceded in death by daughter, Ruth Elaine, and sisters, Alice Schofer and Judy Stevenson.

A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at West Swamp Mennonite Church, 2501 Quakertown Road, Quakertown.  A viewing will be 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. in the church prior to the service.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Contributions may be made to the National M.S. Society, Peter Becker Community, or the church.  To offer on-line condolences, please visit her book of memories at www.falkfuneralhomes.com.

F. Val Pfeiffer, 84, widower of Doris (Armstrong) Pfeiffer who passed away in 1999, of East Greenville, formerly of Rahway, New Jersey, passed away on April 15, 2010 in the Frederick Mennonite Community, Frederick.

Born in Orange, New Jersey, he lived in Rahway, New Jersey for many years before moving to Pennsylvania in 2006.

He was a graduate of Blair Academy, Blairstown, New Jersey.

He was employed by the National State Bank, Linden, for 27 years before retiring as manager in 1991. He was a World War II US Navy veteran, serving in the Pacific on Admiral Halsey’s staff.

Prior to relocating to Pennsylvania, he was a longtime member of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Rahway.  He was also a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

Surviving are three sons: Rick Pfeiffer, and his wife, Marion, of Paupack Township, Jeff Pfeiffer, and his wife, Jeanette, of Exeter, California and Dr. Douglas Pfeiffer, and his wife, Liane, of East Greenville; an aunt, Ruth Haley, of Bridgewater, New Jersey; and a cousin, Toni Moore, of Somerville, New Jersey.

He was also loved by his eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Services were held Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 10:00 am in the Vanderhoven Chapel of Hazelwood Cemetery, Clark, New Jersey.

Arrangements were by Pettit-Davis Funeral Home, Rahway, New Jersey, assisted locally by the Mann-Slonaker Funeral Home, 222 Washington Street, East Greenville.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Alzhiemer’s Association, P O Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or the Frederick Mennonite Community, 2849 Big Road, P O Box 498, Frederick PA 19435.

Anna V. Henry, 80, of W. Campbell Rd., Green Lane, died April 24, 2010 in her home surrounded by her beloved family.  She was the wife of the late James L. Henry.

Born in New Hanover Township, she was a daughter of the late Harry S. and Ella (Renninger) Kulp.  She worked for many years as a seamstress in various sewing factories in the Upper Perkiomen Valley.  Anna was a faithful member of Shepherd of the Hills Church, Bechtelsville.

Surviving are three sons: James L. Jr., of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Mark, of Souderton, Michael, of Green Lane; two daughters, Judith, wife of Vaughn Miller, of Schwenksville, and Kathleen, wife of Terry Romich, of Green Lane; sisters: Geneva Saylor, of Barto, Ella Schueck, of Boyertown, Elsie Krall, of Gilbertsville, and Eleanor Ruth, of Macungie; a brother, Harry Kulp, of Gilbertsville; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.  She was predeceased by a brother, Earl and a sister, Florence.

Services were  held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 527 Hoffmansville Rd., Bechtelsville, PA 18505.  Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

Contributions may be made in her memory to the church.  The Falk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Pennsburg has been entrusted with her arrangements.

To offer condolences and for complete information, visit falkfuneralhomes.com.