By: TODD RUTH Review Sports Editor truth.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

For six and two-thirds innings Monday at War Memorial, the Ephrata American Legion team was in complete control of its crossover match-up against Marietta.

With starter Evan Young mowing down Marietta and Ephrata leading 11-4 with one out to go, the local squad was looking to put the finishing touches on its seventh victory in eight games. Then all you-know-what broke loose.

A liner here, a bloop there and several defensive miscues later and all of a sudden Ephrata’s comfortable lead had dwindled to just one. But Parke Martin replaced reliever Ryan Brubaker, and with the tying run on base, finally got the third out on a fly ball to center to earn the save and give his team the 11-10 win.

"I thought we played extremely well for six and two-thirds innings," Ephrata Coach Derek Sipe said. "Young’s stuff was electric from the beginning and he was pounding the zone. We had some clutch hitting and ran the bases very aggressively. We gave them everything they could handle during that stretch. Then with two outs in the seventh, a switch flipped and we just couldn’t get them out.

The host Ephrata Tidal Waves swimmers enjoyed a successful day at the 44th annual Ephrata Relay Carnival held Saturday, June 25, at the Ephrata Community Pool.

Eight teams were in action as Overlook earned 22 first place finishes on its way to 420 points and the overall team crown. Woodridge was second with a score of 359 while Skyline (208), Ephrata (179) and East Petersburg (148) rounded out the top five.

While Ephrata fared well throughout the meet, the host team enjoyed most of its success in the girls’ Open Division, sweeping all four events.

Madison Walmer, Katie Zell, Kylee Parsons and Caitlin Davies won the free relay title with a time of 1:57.02, while the foursome of Zell, Parsons, Kayla Fritz and Davies took the backstroke title in a swim of 2:15.53. In the breaststroke, Georgia Miller, Zell, Parsons and Davies were victorious with a time of 2:35.97, and they completed a sweep in the medley relay as Fritz, Zell, Davies and Parsons swam to victory in a time of 2:13.48.

Also, Ephrata earned a win in the coaches’ relay as Justin Brown, Amber Davies, Nate Brown and Caitlin Davies finished with a winning time of 49.17.

Brigid Eileen Tully, infant daughter of Patrick J. and Eileen G. (Magarahan) Tully of Ephrata, passed away Thursday, June 23, 2011 at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

She was the identical twin sister of the late Fiona Jane Tully, who passed away May 8.

In addition to her parents she is survived by three brothers: John M., Patrick J. Jr. and Thomas C. Tully.

Friends will be received at Paul L. Gravenor Home For Funerals, 100 W. Main St. in Ephrata, from 6-8 p.m. June 29. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church, 320 Church Ave. in Ephrata, June 30 at 11 a.m. Final commendation and farewell will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Donations may be directed to The Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome Foundation, 411 Longbeach Parkway, Bay Village, OH 44140 in memory of Brigid and Fiona Tully.

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

Clarence G. Sweigart, 91, of Denver, passed away Sunday, June 26, 2011 at Ephrata Manor.

He was born in Reamstown to Kaleb and Lily Sweigart. He was the husband of the late Kathryn E. (Buckwalter) Sweigart.

Clarence loved his ponies and horse showings. He was a life member of the American Hackney Horse Association, the United States Equestrian Federation and the Stevens and Denver fire companies. He was also a member of the Denver Lions Club and Adamstown VFW.

He is survived by a son: Galen C., husband of Marlene A. Sweigart, of Denver; a daughter: Sharon L., wife of Leonard E. Hilton, of Stevens; two grandchildren: Brook Sweigart-Reed, wife of Todd Reed, of Denver and Robert, husband of Jody Hilton, of Lititz; six great-grandchildren: Ally, Emily, Nathan and Hailey Schlegel; and Alex and Faith-Anne Hilton.

He was preceded in death by his wife: Kathryn E. (Buckwalter) Sweigart; sisters: Mary Sweigart, Lucy Sweigart and Pauline Long; and a granddaughter: Tanya Schlegel.

A viewing will be held July 5 from 6-8 p.m. at Roseboro Stradling Funeral Home, 533 Walnut St. in Denver, and on July 6 from 9-10 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 420 Main St. in Denver. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. with the Rev. C. Michael Roney officiating. Interment will take place in the Fairview Cemetery Annex in West Cocalico Township.

Ann Sweigart, 79, of Ephrata, passed away Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at her residence after a lengthy illness.

She was born in Reading, a daughter of the late Charles E. and Dorothy (Hepler) Harting. She was the loving wife of Clair E. Sweigart, with whom she celebrated 60 years of marriage on May 19.

Ann was a Mohnton High School graduate and worked in the mailing department at Doneckers in Ephrata for 21 years, retiring in 1993.

Ann was a member of Swamp Evangelical Lutheran Church in Reinholds. She enjoyed to crochet and loved traveling and spending time with her family.

In addition to her husband she is survived by three daughters: Karen, wife of William Wellman, of Ephrata; Cynthia, wife of Gary Tunin, of Ephrata; and Christine, wife of Jeff Hickernell, of Richland; three sons: Donald Sweigart, of Yorkana; Kenneth Sweigart, husband of Patti, of York; and Michael Sweigart, husband of Karen, of Reinholds; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister: Mildred Quell, of Mohnton; and a brother: Richard Harting, of Reading.

She was preceded in death by two sisters: Ruth Hart and Joyce Harting.

George A. Miller, 75, of Schoeneck, passed away Monday, June 13, 2011 at Hospice of Lancaster County.

He was born in Stevens to Alfred and Beulah (Messinger) Miller. He is survived by his wife, Grace P. (Schauer) Miller.

George was employed as a crane operator at High Steel in Lancaster for 23 years. He served with the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960, and spent two additional years with the Pennsylvania National Guard. He thoroughly loved woodworking and enjoyed projects around the house.

In addition to his wife he is survived by his brother: John Ray Miller, of Alleghenyville; his two daughters: Gwyn Bauder and Gayle McDonald; and two grandchildren: Justin Bauder and Brandon Lutz.

He was preceded in death by his youngest daughter: Gina Weaver.

Funeral services were held at Stradling Funeral Home June 16 with Pastor Jeffrey Dunlevy officiating. Interment took place in Memory Gardens Memorial Cemetery June 17.

If desired, memorial contributions in George’s memory may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604.

Arrangements were made by Stradling Funeral Homes Inc., Akron/Ephrata. Online condolences can be offered to the family at stradlingfuneralhome.com.

Elva B. Meckley, 93, of Ephrata, formerly of West Lawn, passed away peacefully Friday, June 24, 2011 at the Nursing Unit of Ephrata Manor.

Elva was born in Clay Township. She was one of nine children born to the late Ada (Bollinger) Walters and Albert S. Walters. She was the loving wife of the late Melvin M. Meckley and devoted mother to her four children and eight grandchildren.

Throughout her life, Elva enjoyed attending church with her family and friends at Weist United Methodist Church and Mellinger’s Lutheran Church, both in Schoeneck.

She is survived by three sons: Marlan J. Meckley, of Shillington; Mervin E. Meckley, husband of Erika, of Ft. Myers, Fla.; and Merle R. Meckley, husband of Mary, of Wernersville. In addition to her eight grandchildren, she is survived by six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister: Etta, wife of Jake Holsinger, of Ephrata; and brother: William B. Walters, husband of Edith, of Denver.

She was preceded in death by her husband: Melvin in 1989; and daughter: Marion M. Kilhefner in 2006.

Funeral services were held June 29 at Mellinger’s Lutheran Church with the Rev. Timothy Craven and Vicar Tina Toburen officiating. Interment took place in the Fairview Cemetery Annex.

Helen E. Hertzler Lein, 103, of Lancaster, formerly of Bowmansville, died Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at Calvary Fellowship Homes.

Born in Churchtown, she was the daughter of the late John and Emma F. (Erb) Hertzler. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Harold F. Lein, on Jan. 23, 2005.

Helen was a teacher by training and taught in various areas of the United States, including times as a missionary. Missions and witnessing for Christ were integral to her. She also enjoyed reading, playing piano and Skip-O and was a great hostess to those who came to her home.

Surviving is a stepson: Harold F. Lein Jr., husband of Lucille, of Pittsgrove Township, N.J.; nine stepgrandchildren; 20 stepgreat-grandchildren; and eight stepgreat-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a stepdaughter: Ruthann Everwine on June 12; and six sisters and three brothers.

Funeral services were held June 24 at Christian Fellowship Church with the Rev. Henry Heyermans officiating. Interment took place in Bowmansville Union Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Christian Fellowship Church.

Online condolences to the family may be posted at groffeckenroth.com.

Rick G. Frankhouser, 50, of Denver, died unexpectedly Saturday, June 25, 2011 in his home of natural causes.

Born in Ephrata, he was a son of Sharon E. (Gruber) Frankhouser of Denver and the late H. Gene Frankhouser.

Rick was the owner and operator of Rick’s Electric in Denver. A Garden Spot High School graduate, he was a member of Glad Tidings Assembly of God in West Lawn.

Rick enjoyed going out to dinner with his family, hunting, riding motorcycle and was an NRA member.

Surviving in addition to his mother is a son: Chad, husband of Krystal (Mellinger) Frankhouser, of Ephrata; a daughter: Krista, wife of Josh Guldin, of Robesonia; grandchildren: Xander and Lily; and sister: Cindy M. Frankhouser, of Denver.

Funeral services will be held June 30 at 10 a.m. at Glad Tidings Assembly of God, 1110 Snyder Road in West Lawn. Viewings will be held June 29 from 6-8 p.m. at Good Funeral Home and June 30 from 9-10 a.m. at church. Burial will take place in Muddy Creek Cemetery.

Rather than flowers, contributions may be made in Rick’s memory to his church.

Patricia E. Firestone, 79, of Ephrata, passed away Saturday, June 25, 2011 at Ephrata Community Hospital after a brief illness.

She was born in Norristown, a daughter of the late William and Anna (Levan) Tarmin. She was the widow of the late William B. Firestone, who passed away in 1995.

In 1995, Pat retired from the former Science Press in Ephrata where she was a book binder. She was a member of Coleman Memorial Chapel in Brickerville.

She is survived by a son: William "Lee" Firestone, husband of Lynn Horst, of Reamstown; a daughter: Linda Firestone, companion of Daniel Pannebecker, of Ephrata; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents she was preceded in death by a son: Gregory L. Firestone; and a brother: William A. Tarmin.

Funeral services were held June 29 at Paul L. Gravenor Home For Funerals with the Rev. Russell Hobbs officiating. Interment took place in Pleasant View Cemetery in Sinking Spring.

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