Stanley Pate, 66, of Lititz, formerly of Ephrata, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012 at the Hospice of Lancaster County, Mount Joy Center.

Born in Leicestershire, England, he was the son of Barbara (Cherry) Pate and the late Eldridge Pate. Stanley was the husband of Gretchen (Schumacher) Pate.

Stanley was a machine operator and a truck driver. He was a member of the Church of England. He was a NASCAR, Phillies and New York Giants fan. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and grand-puppies.

In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by his children: Anthony Pate, companion of Cheryl; Daniel Pate; Elizabeth, wife of Travis Metzler; and Andrew, husband of Adriana Pate; five grandchildren; and a brother: David Pate.

A celebration of life service will be held at 6 p.m. on March 5 at Hosanna! A Fellowship of Christians, 29 Green Acre Road, Lititz, officiated by the elders of the church.

Contributions can be made in Stanley’s memory to the Humane League of Lancaster County, 2195 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602.

To send the family online condolences, visit snyderfuneralhome.com.

Miriam M. Nolt, 51, of Ephrata, passed away Friday, February 10, 2012 at her residence after a battle with cancer.

She was the daughter of John and Mabel (Martin) Huber and was the wife of Nelson Nolt.

Miriam was a member of the Valley View Mennonite Church, Schoeneck, where her husband serves as a minister. She was a loving mother who enjoyed caring for her family.

In addition to her husband, Miriam is survived by four sons: Japheth N., husband of Lorraine (Landis) Nolt, of Lititz; and Josiah D., Jethro L. and Jared G., at home; two daughters: Annalisa H., wife of Lavelle L. Boll, of Pine Grove; and Abigail M. Nolt, at home; four brothers: Allan M., husband of Anna Mae (Reiff) Huber, of New Holland; Earl D., husband of Mary Ann (Martin) Huber, of Narvon; John H., husband of Mary Ellen (Wise) Huber, of New Holland; and Nelson M., husband of Kara L. (Hoover) Huber, of New Holland; two sisters: Mary Ann Huber, of New Holland; and Esther M., wife of Edwin Hoover, of Ephrata; and grandchildren: Gwenda and Kenton Boll.

Funeral services were held on Feb. 14 at Valley View Mennonite Church, Schoeneck. Burial took place in the adjoining church cemetery.

Alta Heft Milchunas entered into rest in Sinking Spring Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012.

She was born in Mohnton on Sept. 25, 1915. She lived many years in Adamstown before moving to Ephrata in 1954. Her husband, Leon, died in 2009 after 61 years of marriage. Alta resided in the Manor Care Nursing Home, Sinking Spring, since 2007.

Having graduated from Ephrata High School in 1933, she worked for the Bollman Hat Factory, Adamstown, and then Dutchmaid, Ephrata, and retired in 1980. Alta was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Adamstown. She loved traveling and visited Europe, the Middle East as well as 48 states. She also loved music, reading and taking pictures on her travels.

She is survived by a sister: Ruth Young, of Jacksonville, Fla., and two nieces: Rosalind Buhman, of Belle Plaine, Minn.; and Eileen Senesac, of Jacksonville, Fla.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and a brother: Norman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 80 E. Main Street, P.O. Box 385, Adamstown, PA 19501.

A graveside service will be held on Feb. 17 at 3 p.m. at the Cedar Grove Cemetery, Adamstown, with Pastor Sandra L. Gideon officiating.

Lewis "Lew" Harold Mengle, 79, of Palm Springs, Calif., died unexpectedly Wednesday Feb. 1, 2012 at his home.

Born in Philadelphia on September 17, 1932 to the late Dr. Harold A. K. Mengle and Helen A Mengle Mitchell, of Ephrata, he graduated from Girard College in 1950.

Following graduation, he returned to Ephrata and enrolled at Franklin & Marshall College and studied for two years before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force and serving as the boom operator on the KC 135 Stratotanker. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for heroism relating to a mid-air refueling accident. Having been honorably discharged from the military, he began a career in sales representing the Ernie Sabayrac Company in Florida and later FootJoy as the West Coast representative selling golf apparel and accessories. He successfully participated in many amateur golf tournaments, capturing numerous titles and trophies and club championships. He enjoyed camping and traveling throughout the country to visit his many lifelong friends and extended family. He was an avid golfer, belonging to various country clubs on the West Coast. Having developed an interest in the American Indians as a young boy, living in the West gave him the opportunity to continue learning more. He will be remembered for his love of the game, his sense of humor and kindness and generosity.

Barbara M. Martin, 75, of Bainbridge, Ohio, the wife of Harvey S. Martin, died at 5:55 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 at their residence.

She was born May 5, 1936 in Ephrata Township, the daughter of the late Jonas N. and Mary M. Weaver.

Barbara was a homemaker and a member of the Stauffer Mennonite Church. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Barbara lived in matrimony 54 years and is survived by her husband; sons: Ivan, husband of Susan Martin, of New Holland; Wayne, of Hutchinson, Kan.; Edward, husband of Fay Martin, of Ephrata; and Luke, husband of Dawn Auker, Harvey Jr., husband of Lorraine Auker, and John Mark, husband of Marie Martin, all of Bainbridge, Ohio; daughters: Lois, wife of Joel Stauffer, of Bainbridge, Ohio; Minerva, wife of Fred Zimmerman, of Tunas, Mo.; Lucinda, wife of Leon Martin, of New Holland; Rosanna, wife of Shawn Stauffer, of Mechanicsville, Md., and Alverta, wife of Jerome Horst, of Breckenridge, Mo.; 57 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Annie Weaver, of Orrstown; Lizzie Mae Weaver, of Port Trevorton; and Martha Weaver, of Delana, Tenn.; and brothers-in-law: Nevin Martin, of New Holland; and Daniel, husband of Leah Martin, of Denver.

Rebecca L. Horst, 92, of Denver, passed away peacefully Monday, Feb. 6, 2012 at the Golden Living Center, Lancaster.

Born May 3, 1919, in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Isaac and Lydia Zook. She was married to Elam S. Horst for 23 years. Elam died in 1977.

She will be lovingly missed by her three children and their families: Lois E., wife of Leonard E. Swanger, of Denver; Carl E., husband of Charlene Horst, of Alaska; and E. Blaine, husband of Lee Ann Horst, of Indiana; three grandchildren: Joseph Swanger, Cathie Shaak and Ethan Horst; two great-grandchildren: Cassandra Shaak and Lauren Nolt; one great-great- grandchild: Olivia Grace Nolt; stepchildren; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Rebecca’s life will be held at the Grace Family Church, 415 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland, on Feb. 19 at 3 p.m.

To submit an online condolence, visit scheidfuneralhome.com.

John A. BitlerJohn A. Bitler

John Artz Bitler, a lifelong resident of Denver, passed away Friday, Feb. 10, 2012.

John joins his wife of nearly 60 years, Barbara J. (Mellinger), in the afterlife, who died just 17 days earlier. John was born in Denver on Dec. 21, 1926, to John P. and Minnie (Artz) Bitler and was 85 years old at the time of his death.

John enjoyed an extraordinary professional career that began at The Beryllium Corporation and culminated as vice president of environmental affairs, General Battery Corporation of Reading, a career that included authoring numerous U.S. and international patents focused on the safe and permanent removal of toxic waste from the environment. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II and again during the Korean Conflict as sergeant major, Headquarters, 17th Armored Cavalry Group. His three sons, Steven, Bennett and Jonathan, all followed their father’s enduring dedication to service of our nation by pursuing military careers of their own in the U.S. Air Force. John offered mentoring to several of the town’s youth, encouraging them to serve their country as a noble career choice.

Tony Weachter, left, president of the Denver Orioles, presents a check for $5,000 to Steve Leed, Denver Memorial Park trustee, to assist the park in recovery from flood damage. (Photo by Preston Whitcraft)Tony Weachter, left, president of the Denver Orioles, presents a check for $5,000 to Steve Leed, Denver Memorial Park trustee, to assist the park in recovery from flood damage. (Photo by Preston Whitcraft)

This past year the Denver Memorial Park sustained major flood damage from two storms. To help with the recovery, the Denver Orioles made a donation of $5,000.

Members, neighbors and community contributed support to this effort.

Other donations made during the past year by the Orioles were $5,000 to the Denver Fire Company and $3,000 each to the Reamstown and Reinholds ambulance associations.

The 2012 officers of the Orioles are: Tony Weachter, president; Kevin Gensemer, vice president; Kevin Antol, secretary; Jeff Steinmetz, treasurer; Steve Leed, chaplain; and Erik Wolf, Chet Clair and Grant Garner, trustees.

By: MICHELLE REIFF Review Staff mreiff.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

A grant may be the answer to funding for West Cocalico Township’s walking trail at Chapel Gate Park.

As plans continue to move forward for the proposed nature trail in the Reinholds area park, a new revelation may lead to an increase in price, announced township manager Carolyn Friesema at the Feb. 2 board of supervisors meeting.

"Jim Caldwell (of Rettew Associates, the township’s engineering firm) said the area identified as wetlands is actually much bigger," she said. "He is making a revised plan … we need more boardwalk than we thought."

The park is located at 57 Parkview Drive in the Chapel Gate development. It currently includes a soccer field, baseball diamond, tot lot, basketball/all purpose court and pavilion. Planning has been in the works for a nature trail for some time now.

According to Friesema, the park board will decide at its February or March meeting whether or not to apply for a grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

"If we do that we would need to have more than a walking trail because we would be competing with other parks rather than other trails," said Friesema.

A team from Cocalico High School is participating in district and regional levels of the 2012 Statewide Mock Trial Competition sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.

Pennsylvania’s mock trial program, now in its 29th year, is one of the largest in the nation.

Many teachers and lawyers are participating in the program.

During the competition, eight-member student teams are given the opportunity to argue both sides of the case in an actual courtroom before a judge. The students, who play the roles of lawyers, witnesses, plaintiffs and defendants, are assisted by teacher coaches and lawyer advisors in preparing for competition. Lawyers and community leaders serve as jurors for the mock trials. The juries determine the winners in each trial based on the teams’ abilities to prepare their cases, present arguments and follow court rules.

The district and regional levels of the competition will continue throughout February and March. At the conclusion of the local competitions, 12 high school mock trial teams will advance to the Pennsylvania Bar Association Statewide Mock Trial Championships, March 30 and 31, in Harrisburg. The winning team of the state championship will represent Pennsylvania in the national mock trial finals to be held May 3 through 6 in Albuquerque, N.M.