Ephrata wrestlers square off on the mat in preparation for their season-opening Ephrata Tournament, which is slated for next Saturday, Dec. 10. (Photo by Preston Whitcraft)Ephrata wrestlers square off on the mat in preparation for their season-opening Ephrata Tournament, which is slated for next Saturday, Dec. 10. (Photo by Preston Whitcraft)

EPHRATA BOYS BASKETBALL

Date Opp. Time

Dec. 12 Garden Spot 8 p.m.

Dec. 14 @ Muhlenberg 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 16 McCaskey 8 p.m.

Dec. 20 @ Penn Manor 8 p.m.

Dec. 22 Manheim Township 8 p.m.

Dec. 29 Ephrata Holiday Tourney TBA

Dec. 30 Ephrata Holiday Tourney TBA

Jan. 3 @ Solanco 8 p.m.

Jan. 4 @ South Western 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 6 Lebanon 8 p.m.

Jan. 10 @ Elizabethtown 8 p.m.

Jan. 13 Cocalico 8 p.m.

Jan. 17 @ Conestoga Valley 8 p.m.

Jan. 19 @ Cedar Crest 8 p.m.

Jan. 20 @ Palmyra 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 23 Hempfield 8 p.m.

Jan. 25 @ Warwick 8 p.m.

Jan. 27 Solanco 8 p.m.

Jan. 31 @ Lebanon 8 p.m.

Feb. 3 Elizabethtown 8 p.m.

Robert Gary Shupp, 75, of Manheim, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011 at his residence.

He was born in Denver to Clair and Anna (Ruth) Shupp and was the husband of the late Carol Shupp, who died in 1993.

Gary was an avid hunter, a Steelers fan and he enjoyed cooking. He was owner of Shupp’s Roofing. He previously worked at Gooding, Simpson and Mackes.

He is survived by two daughters: Tammie Sauder, companion of Donald Dull, of Ephrata; and Marge, wife of Robert Reider, of Denver; twin sisters: Sharon Seneft and Karen Levering, both of Ephrata; grandchildren: Trista Sauder and Angela Jean, wife of Mark Stedman, of Maimi, Fla.; and Jennifer Lynn, wife of Sam Hoskins, of State College; great-grandchildren: Susannah, Eliana and Joy Hoskins; and Nathaniel, Ethan, Faith, Martha and Judah Stedman.

An interment service will be held promptly at 9 a.m. on Dec. 5 at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, East Hanover Township, with full military honors accorded. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at the Reformed Presbyterian Church, 21 E. Locust St., Ephrata, with Pastor Tom Nicholas officiating. A fellowship luncheon will be held immediately following in the church social hall. All are welcomed to attend.

Grace I. Martin, 79, of Ephrata, entered into the presence of her Lord Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 at her home.

She was born in Brecknock Township to the late Jacob and Mamie (Good) Good, and was the loving wife of retired pastor Roy B. Martin for 57 years.

Grace was a member of the Metzler Mennonite Church, where she was a Sunday School teacher for many years, and enjoyed participating in the Metzler Sewing Circle. She was an inspiration and blessing to many through her encouraging card and letter ministry. She freely shared her faith and love of Jesus Christ with persons she met, was always ready to lend a helping hand and selflessly put other’s needs before her own. Grace enjoyed volunteering once a month at the Ephrata Re-uzit Shop until illness prevented it.

Grace enjoyed traveling with her husband to do bird watching. She also enjoyed quilting, embroidery, flower gardening and spending time with family.

Richard Allen Ludwig, 69, of Denver, passed away after a brief illness with family by his side Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 at the Ephrata Community Hospital.

He was born in West Reading to the late Pauline (Koch) Fritz and stepfather Curtis Fritz and was the husband of Janet F. (Becker) Ludwig. They were married 44 years on May 27.

He was a graduate of Wilson High School, class of 1959. Richard was a member of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church, Ephrata. He was also a member of the American Legion National Organization. He was an avid Eagles and Phillies fan. Richard enjoyed auto racing, going to the beach, stamp collecting and especially enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army. Richard worked at Weis Markets prior to his retirement. He was earlier employed at Sunline Coach for 15 years.

He is survived by two daughters: Lori Ludwig, of Tuscon, Ariz.; and Tammy Ludwig, at home; two brothers: William C., husband of Shirley (Rutt) Ludwig, of Reamstown; and Curtis, husband of Cindy (Gangaway) Fritz, of Denver.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother: Robert Ludwig.

Lisa M. Kudela, 57, of Lancaster, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011 at Lancaster General Hospital.

She was born in Philadelphia to the late Silvio and Anita (Illich) Domizio.

Lisa worked at Stauffer’s of Kissel Hill.

Lisa is survived by a son: Zachary Kudela, of East Earl; a brother: Mark, husband of Missy Kudela, of New Orleans, La.; and a sister: Paula, wife of Daniel D’Imperio, of Malvern.

A visitation was held on Nov. 21 at the Stradling Funeral Home, Ephrata.

Memorial contributions in Lisa’s memory may be made to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Association, c/o PA Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110.

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

John R. Martin, 63, of Ephrata, went home to be with his Lord Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011.

Born in Ephrata, he was the son of Rufus and Bertha (Rissler) Martin of Ephrata. He was married to Lena W. (Nolt) for 41 years.

He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and community. John was a member of Centerville Mennonite Church, Martindale. He was the owner of Martin Mulch Products.

Besides his wife and parents, John is survived by his nine children and 33 grandchildren: Donna, of Akron; Lois, husband of Michael Seibel, of Pittsgrove, N.J.; Timothy, husband of Marelda (Seibel), of Ephrata; Joel, husband of Sara (Herr), of Stevens; Jonathan, husband of Erla (Eby), of Lancaster; Rhoda, wife of Jonathan Graybill, of Denver; Judith, wife of Michael Burkholder, of Denver; Sara, of Ephrata; and a foster son: Alvin Russell, husband of Beth (Garman), of Bridgeton, N.J.

He was preceded in death by one brother: Aaron Martin. He is survived by two brothers and two sisters: Ivan Martin, of Farmersville; Rufus Martin Jr., of Ephrata; Anna Weaver, of New Holland; and Martha Martin, of Ephrata.

Harry E. Gockley, 89, of Akron, passed away Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 in Ephrata Community Hospital.

He was the husband of Betty A. (Kilhefner) Gockley. They observed their 64th wedding anniversary in September. Born in Reading, he was the son of the late Harry M. Gockley and Ida S. (Trostle) Gockley.

Harry graduated from Ephrata High School and Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute. He was a tool and die maker and worked at Ephrata Tool and Die before retiring. He was a member of New Joy Church in Ephrata. Harry served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

In addition to his wife, Harry is survived by a daughter: Jean L. (Gockley), wife of Dale Srock, of Ephrata; a son: James R., husband of Donna L. (Geiger) Gockley, of Emmaus; six grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

A funeral service was held Nov. 21 at Stradling Funeral Home, Ephrata, with Pastor Jeff Dunlevy officiating. Interment will take place in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Ephrata. Military honors will be accorded by the Red Rose Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Harry’s name may be made to New Joy Church, 35 New Joy Dr., Ephrata, PA 17522.

Robert A. Geist, 83, of Ephrata, passed away Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at Ephrata Community Hospital.

Mr. Geist was born in Gratz to the late Russell and Felma Geist. His family relocated to Millersburg, where he spent a good portion of his life before moving to Ephrata.

Until his retirement, he was employed by Dun and Bradstreet as a yellow pages territorial manager throughout much of Pennsylvania. He enjoyed golfing, hunting and cooking. He operated his own catering business for a number of years. Mr. Geist was a member of the Lancaster Forest #27 Tall Cedars of Lebanon, the Ephrata Blue Lodge #665 F. & A.M. and various service clubs. He served as vice chairman for the Ephrata Borough Authority and was instrumental in establishing the Moose Lodge in Millersburg. Mr. Geist was a member of First United Methodist Church of Ephrata.

He is survived by his wife: Eudora (Reitz) Geist; son: Christopher R., husband of Jacque Geist; eight grandchildren; and brothers: Lin, husband of Gayle Geist; and Carl Geist.

He was preceded in death by daughters: Carol and Susan.

Stanley W. Fox, 60, of Akron, died Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011 at the home of his brother, Earl, in Stevens.

Born in Kutztown, he was the son of Floyd E. and Anna Mary (Weaver) Fox of Denver.

He was employed as a truck driver for Lester R. Summers Trucking, Ephrata. Stanley attended Christian Fellowship Church, volunteered as a teacher’s assistant at local schools, and was an avid tennis player.

Surviving in addition to his parents are 11 brothers and sisters: Alta, wife of Robert Landis, of New Providence; James, husband of Jody (Anehart) Fox, of Denver; Earl, husband of Ruth (Diller) Fox, of Stevens; Arlene, wife of James Rudy, of Willow Street, Floyd, husband of Pamala (Rinier) Fox, of Willow Street; Linda, wife of Q. Leon Zwally, of Denver; Larry, husband of Cynthia (Weber) Fox, of Mohnton; Kenneth, husband of Karen (Martin) Fox, of Stevens; Gerald, husband of Tracey (Bainbridge) Fox, of Denver; A. Mary, wife of Ted Esbenshade, of Marietta; and Brenda, wife of Philip Hall, of Ottsville.

Preceding him in death is a brother: David Fox.

Funeral services were held on Nov. 21 at Christian Fellowship Church, New Holland, with the Rev. Dr. Doug Bozung and the Rev. David Horst officiating. Interment took place in the Hinkletown Mennonite Cemetery.

E. Elizabeth Keener, 96, went to be with the Lord Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. In her early years, she enjoyed selling greeting cards and gift items. She enjoyed crocheting and flower and vegetable gardening. Her brother, H. Lester, husband of Mary Keener, lives in Ephrata.

Kenneth C. Liehr, of Smyrna, Del., passed away Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011. He was 81. Ken spent several years working as a carpenter before joining the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where he worked until retirement in December 1985. His son, James T., husband of Deborah Liehr, and granddaughter, Daphne, live in Ephrata.

Dorothy M. (Shank) Eshleman, 89, of Lancaster, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 at her son’s residence after a brief illness. Mrs. Eshleman was an avid vegetable gardener and enjoyed canning and freezing her produce. Her daughter, Betty J., wife of Kenneth Harmes, lives in Akron.

Charles M. Kieffer, Jr., 93, of Myerstown, died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 at the VA Medical Center, Lebanon. A World War II veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, he worked as a salesman for Knapp Shoes and Watkins Products for over 50 years and retired in 1979 from Sterling Drug, Myerstown. His brother, Nevin, husband of Verna Kieffer, lives in Denver.