Fay M. Dietrich, 74, of Cumru Township, passed away Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the Reading Hospital and Medical Center surrounded by her loving family following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Ephrata, she was the daughter of the late Stanley and Verna (Hackman) Fritz.

Fay was a graduate of Cocalico High School. She was employed in the clerical department at Dutch Maid in Ephrata and then as a customer service representative at All-Size Corrugated Box Company in Lancaster. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sinking Spring.

She is survived by her children: Greg L., husband of Andrea Miller, of Shillington; and Gretchen L., wife of Steve R. Karr, of Sinking Spring; her grandchildren: Tiffany, wife of Chuck Brown, of Mechanicburg; Jason and Matthew Miller, of West Reading; Chris Karr and Caitlyn Karr, of Sinking Spring; and great-grandchildren: Dylan Froelich-Miller and Harrison Brown. Other survivors include her twin sister: Kay Fassnacht, of Shoeneck; and sister: Janice Sweigart, of Reinholds.

She was preceded in death by her grandson: Ryan James Karr on Dec. 9, 1990.

Hazel V. Althouse, 85, formerly of Denver, died Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at Ephrata Community Hospital.

Born in East Cocalico Township, she was a daughter of the late Virgil and Edith M. (Maxton) Coldren. Her husband, Harry O. Althouse, died Feb. 28, 1998.

Hazel had worked for Cinderella Knitting Mills and Kinder Manufacturing in Denver. She had been a member of the Order of Eastern Star and was a den mother with the Cub Scouts.

A member of Salem Lutheran Church in Ephrata, Hazel was a former member of Muddy Creek Lutheran Church, where she sang in the choir; and St. John’s U.C.C. in Denver, where she was superintendent and teacher of Sunday school.

Surviving is a son: Edgar O., husband of Janet B. Scranton Althouse, of York; a daughter: Judy K., wife of Jim O. Hackman, of Reinholds; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Bea L., wife of Clyde Ebersole, of Ephrata; and L. Mignetta, wife of William Burkhart, of Denver.

She was preceded in death by a brother: Virgil "Buddy" Coldren Jr.

Funeral services were held April 2 at Good Funeral Home & Cremation Centre in Reamstown with the Rev. Jeffrey Goodman officiating. Burial took place in Muddy Creek Cemetery in Swartzville.

Jennifer Sue Hardy, 48, of Denver, passed away Thursday, March 17, 2011 at home.

Born Oct. 27, 1962, she was a daughter of Lorraine (Hoy) Hardy and the late Thomas Michael Hardy Sr.

Surviving in addition to her mother is her sister: Diane Hardy Musser; a brother: Thomas Hardy Jr.; two daughters: Lindsay Rodriguez and Stephanie Bender; a son: Jonathan Bender; and a granddaughter: Rhianna Rodriguez.

Along with her father she was preceded in death by her brother: James Earl Hardy.

Services were held at the convenience of the family.

Lois M. Barnes, 78, of Ephrata, died Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at Ephrata Community Hospital.

She was the loving wife of Eugene F. Barnes and daughter of the late Wilbur and Linda Hawes Hall.

In addition to her husband she is survived by a daughter: Renee, wife of Kevin Ellis, of Arlington, Va.; three sons: Robert, husband of Patricia Barnes, of Akron; Bruce, husband of Mary Barnes, of Arlington, Va.; and Michael, husband of Denise Barnes, of Akron; 16 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son: William; and a grandson: Gary.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. April 16 at Paul L. Gravenor Home For Funerals, 100 W. Main St. in Ephrata. Friends will be received from 12-1 p.m. and interment will be private.

To offer condolences to the family, visit gravenorhomeforfunerals.com.

LeRoy M. Hoover, 85, formerly of Stevens for 57 years, died at Fairmount Homes Monday, March 28, 2011.

He was born in West Earl Township, a son of the late Elam B. and Ada B. (Martin) Hoover. He was the husband of Nora L. (Martin) Hoover, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage.

LeRoy was a member of Groffdale Mennonite Church (Weaverland Conference). He was a retired farmer and did cattle hauling to auctions for local farmers.

Surviving in addition to his wife are his sons: Warren E., husband of Christine (Erb) Hoover; and Eugene M., husband of Bonita (Zimmerman) Hoover, all of Stevens; and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers: Elmer M. and Amory M. Hoover; and four sisters: Frances M. Sensenig, Anna M., Minnie M. and Verna M. Hoover.

Funeral services were held March 31 at the Wheatridge Chapel with further services at Groffdale Old Order Mennonite Church with bishops Jeremiah O. Sensenig and Curvin Zimmerman and ministers Edwin Reiff and Richard Burkholder officiating. Interment followed in the adjoining church cemetery.

Kindly omit flowers.

Arrangements were made by Stradling Funeral Homes, Akron/Ephrata. To send a condolence to the family, visit stradlingfuneralhome.com.

Raymond E. Miller Jr., 83, of Ephrata, entered into rest at Ephrata Manor Tuesday, March 29, 2011.

He was born in Marticville, a son of the late Raymond E. Sr. and Daisy E. (Rice) Miller. He was the husband of the late Arnita M. (Herr) Miller, who died in 2006.

Raymond served in the U.S. Army Engineers 64th division during the Korean War. He was a member of the Charles M. Howell Lodge F&AM #496 of Millersville, a 33 degree Mason and the charter president of Garden Spot Lions Club.

During his working years, Raymond owned Miller Grocery Store in Bowmansville, worked for Schaad Detective Agency, and was a salesman for Quaker State Motor Oil Company.

Surviving are his three daughters: Linda M., wife of Ronald A. Horning, of Terre Hill; Dawn M., wife of F. Gene Moyer, of Marietta; and Kim M., wife of Barry S. Miller, of Denver; three grandchildren: April, Jennifer and Lori; and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held March 31 at Donecker Chapel at Ephrata Manor with Chaplain Robert Muise officiating. Interment was private at the convenience of the family.

Kenneth R. Buchen, 82, of Ephrata, died Monday, March 28, 2011 at Hospice of Lancaster County in Mount Joy.

He was born in Farmersville, West Earl Township, a son of the late Landis and Clara (Rutt) Buchen. He was the husband of Rhoda (Thomas) Buchen, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage.

Kenneth worked as a home builder for more than 30 years and was a building inspector for several townships.

Kenneth was a member of Groffdale Mennonite Church, where he served as a song leader, Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent and trustee. He was also a member of Twin Pine Hunting Club. He loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting with his son and son-in-laws.

Surviving in addition to his wife are his four children: Susan E., wife of Cliff Bollinger, of Utica, Minn.; K. Thomas, husband of Jean (Martin) Buchen, of Lancaster; Rebecca A. Buchen, wife of J.D. Scott, of San Diego, Calif.; Lois A., wife of Arlin Kennel, of New Holland; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother: Curvin, husband of Lois (Garber) Buchen; sisters: Vera, wife of Martin Weaver; Clara Sauder; Thelma Sauder; Rhoda, wife of Ben Leaman; Lois, wife of Donald Kautz; and Laverne, wife of Chris Peifer.

Barbara L. Laukhuff, 60, of New Holland, died at home Saturday, April 2, 2011.

Born in Ephrata, a daughter of the late Clair and Erma A. (Keemer) Flickinger. She was the wife of Barton F. Laukhuff for 22 years.

A member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in New Holland, Barbara was employed by Dutchmaid Inc. and OMPH School cafeteria.

Barbara was a 1968 Ephrata High School graduate and enjoyed swimming and bowling.

Also surviving is her stepmother: Mary E. (Miller) Flickinger, of Ephrata; children: Joseph W., husband of Erin Harnish Whiskeyman, of Ephrata; Jill M. Woods, of Grapevine, Texas; B. Philip, husband of Kelly Whiteman Laukhuff, of New Holland; Chad, husband of Bridgette Kurtz Laukhuff, of Narvon; and Eric Laukhuff, of Seattle, Wash.; seven grandchildren; and a sister: Audrey M., wife of Robert Ritter, of Reamstown.

A memorial visitation will be April 7 from 6-8 p.m. at Good Funeral Home & Cremation Centre in Reamstown. Private burial will take place in Salem Union Cemetery.

Rather than flowers, contributions to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.

Arrangements are under the direction of Good Funeral Home & Cremation Centre in Reamstown. For more information, visit goodfuneral.com.

Wayne A. Reber Jr.

Wayne A. Reber Jr., 78, of Akron, peacefully entered into rest at his home surrounded by his loving family Friday, May 6, 2011. He went to be with his Lord after a long and courageous battle with mesothelioma cancer. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be sadly missed by family and friends.

He was born in West Reading, a son of the late Wayne A. Sr. and Beulah E. (Beckey) Reber. He was the husband of Fae (Renninger) Reber, to whom he shared 57 years of marriage.

Wayne was a 1950 graduate of the Ephrata High School. He served in the U.S. Navy as a radioman, 1st class on the Destroyer USS Lloyd Thomas.

Until his retirement, Wayne was the owner of Hopeland Manufacturing Company, a third generation apparel business started by his father in 1947. His three sons worked side-by-side with their father until closing in 2001.

Wayne served seven years on the Akron planning commission, where two of those years he served as chairman. Later he served on Akron Borough Council for 29 years, 10 of which he served as council president. After retiring from borough council, he served as the tax collector for Akron until his death.

Ruth T. Cole, 89, of Ephrata, entered into rest at Lancaster General Hospital Tuesday, March 29, 2011.

Born in Elmer, N.J., she was the daughter of the late Leonard and Alice K. (Kinkle) Thomas. She was the wife of the late Roy B. Cole, who passed away in 1998. They had been married 52 years before his death.

She is survived by her daughter: Janice R., wife of Robert Miller, of Ephrata; and three grandchildren: Christy R., wife of Chris Anderson; Richard Eric Miller; and Matthew R. Miller.

Funeral services were held April 2 at Stradling Funeral Home with Pastor Galen Hackman officiating. Interment followed in the Memory Gardens Memorial Cemetery.

Arrangements were made by Stradling Funeral Homes Inc., Akron/Ephrata. To send a condolence, visit stradlingfuneralhome.com.