Matthew L. Weaver, age 51, passed away suddenly Monday, March 12, 2012 at home.

Born in Lancaster, Matt was the son of Alice Faye (Weaver) Roney and Lee Weaver.

Until his health declined, Matt had translated a lifelong passion for printing into employment at A&W Printing and Mt Bethany Printing. He was an avid fly fisherman, tying his own flies. He enjoyed the shooting sports including trap, skeet and hunting. He was a member of the NRA as well as a member of the Ducks Unlimited Feather Society. He also loved to travel and experience new places, often through the mechanism of hunting. Matthew will be remembered by many for his kind and generous heart and his willingness to lend a helping hand.

Matt is survived by his mother: Alice Faye, wife of C. Michael Roney, of Narvon; his father: Lee Weaver, husband of Mary Weaver, of Lititz; and four brothers: Mark, husband of Trina Weaver, of Denver; Michael, husband of Lisa Weaver, of New Holland; David Weaver, of Lititz; and Ivan Roney, of Odenton, Md.; a sister: Trina Roney, of Waldorf, Md.; 11 nieces and nephews; one great-niece; and a paternal grandmother: Anna Weaver, of New Holland.

Larry Sweigart, 69, of Reading, passed away Friday, March 16, 2012 at his home.

He was born in Lancaster County to the late Stephen C. Sr. and Marion J. (Bonsall) Sweigart, and was the husband of Agnes L. (Brightbill) Sweigart, with whom he shared 52 years of marriage.

Larry’s number one priority was his family. He also enjoyed auto racing and was a crew member on a modified stock car racing team. Larry was a self-employed business owner of LS Tire, Reading.

In addition to his wife, Larry is survived by his three children: Jackie Trate, of Shillington; Colleen Sweigart, of Reading; and Lorne Sweigart, of Mohnton; four grandchildren: Tia and Ben Trate and AshLee and Adam Sweigart; a great-granddaughter: KyLee Sweigart; four brothers: Stephen Jr., husband of Edith Sweigart, of Ephrata; Kenneth, husband of Barbara Sweigart, of Virginia; Warren Sweigart, of Denver; and Ronald, husband of Mary Sweigart, of Reinholds; and two sisters: Betty, wife of Harold Kauffman, of Reinholds; and Judith Smith, companion of Roy Stricker, of Lycoming County; .

He was preceded in death by a sister: Shirley Ruth.

Karen Louise Stevens, 64, of Lititz, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at Ephrata Manor.

She was born March 4, 1948 in Lancaster and is the daughter of Richard I. Stevens Sr. and the late Jean Hilton Stevens.

Karen was a member of St. Luke’s United Church of Christ (UCC) in Lititz where she was active in the adult choir, the bell choir and served as Sunday school superintendent for several years. She was also instrumental in creating a library for the church. Karen was a graduate of McCaskey High School, Millersville State University in 1970, and then earned a master’s degree in library science from Drexel University. She was the school librarian for Valley Elementary School in Bensalem for 30 years and was a member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) and the National Education Association (NEA). After her retirement, she volunteered as the librarian for Londonderry Private School in Harrisburg. An accomplished quilter and seamstress, Karen was a member of the Newtown Quilt Guild and the Greater Philadelphia Dress Shop Users Group. After moving to Lititz, she became a member of the Lebanon Quilt Guild. Her quilts have been displayed at various quilt shows where she received awards and honorable mentions.

Norman Alton Shirk, 82, of Reinholds, passed away Friday, March 16, 2012 at his home.

He was born in Alleghenyville, Berks County, to the late Raymond and Elsie (Matz) Shirk, and was the husband of Ella B.(Schannauer) Shirk, with whom he shared 57 years this past February.

Norman was a graduate of Shillington High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force, was a member of Swamp Lutheran Church, Reinholds and was a member of the Reinholds Volunteer Fire Company. He enjoyed spending time with his family and gardening. During his working years he was a carpenter for Win-Kit, Reinholds, and later in life he worked for Weaver’s Store, Adamstown.

In addition to his wife, Norman is survived by a son: Dr. Michael, husband of Jennifer (Polka) Shirk, of Lancaster; granddaughter: Ava Shirk; and sister: Ruth, wife of Earl Swartz, of Mohnton.

He was preceded in death by three brothers: Walter, William and Clarence.

Funeral services were held March 20 from at the Swamp Lutheran Church, Reinholds, with Pastor Dennis Trout and Chaplain Glenn Beard officiating. Interment took place in the Swamp Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Norman’s memory may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604.

Howard N. Roth Jr., 85, of Ephrata, died Wednesday, March 14, 2012, in Conestoga View Nursing Home, Lancaster.

Born in Warwick Township, a son of the late Howard N. Sr. and Erla (Nagle) Roth, he was the husband of D. Pauline (Sensenig) Roth for 55 years.

A Navy veteran of World War II, he was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Congregational Church and worked for Ford New Holland, now CNH. Howard was a championship bowler with Dutch Lanes Traveling County League.

Also surviving are daughters: Donna L., wife of Herb Alfrey, of Dacula, Ga.; and Carol J., wife of Tim Sweigart, of Ephrata; grandchildren: Daniel, Derek, Dustin and Dyana Sweigart; and Meredith Alfrey (Addison) Hill; and sisters: Geraldine Rupp, of Ephrata; and Betty, wife of Clarence Buch, of New Holland.

A memorial service took place March 19 from Good Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, Reamstown, with his pastor, the Rev. Kirk R. Marks, officiating. Private inurnment will take place in Memory Gardens Memorial Park, Ephrata.

Contributions in Howard’s memory may be sent to Hospice of Lancaster County, Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125 and St. Paul’s Evangelical Congregational Church, Box 275, Reamstown, PA 17567-0275.

Mary Ann Martin, 53, of New Holland, passed away Monday, March 19, 2012, at her residence.

She was born in Leola to the late John and Nora (Weaver) Martin.

Mary Ann was a member of Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church, Ephrata. She enjoyed music and her pet dog, Tiny. Mary Ann worked in private homecare and also at Ephrata Manor and Landis Homes.

She is survived by four brothers: Melvin W., husband of Ella (Nolt) Martin, of Ephrata; Ivan W., husband of Anna (Hurst) Martin, of Penn Yan, N.Y.; John W., husband of Mary (Auker) Martin, of East Earl; James W., husband of Alma Z. (Reiff) Martin, of Ephrata; three sisters: Mabel W., wife of John W. Nolt, of Newville; Esther W., wife of Noah Newswagner, of Martinsburg; Ada Mae, wife of Eugene M. Martin, of New Holland; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held March 22 at the Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church, 140 Pleasant Valley Road, Ephrata, at 10 a.m. with Bishop Larry N. Weaver officiating. Burial will take place in the adjoining church cemetery.

Kindly omit flowers.

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

Garrett Ray Martin, 3, of Lititz, passed away after a yearlong battle with cancer Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at his home.

He was born in Ephrata to Gary Ray and Ruth (Burkholder) Martin of Lititz.

In addition to his parents, Garrett is survived by sisters: Katelyn R., Heidi J., Amanda J. and Aleah F. Martin, all at home; a brother: Sean M. Martin, at home; paternal grandparents: Raymond, husband of Mabel (Rutt) Martin, of Lititz; maternal grandparents: Leon, husband of Verna (Sensenig) Burkholder of Ephrata; paternal great grandparents: Paul, husband of Emma (Rutt) Martin, of Farmersville; and several uncles, aunts and cousins.

Funeral services were held March 15 from Farm Crest Chapel, with further services from South Hinkletown Mennonite Church, Weaverland Conference, New Holland, with Bishop Amos Martin officiating. Interment took place in the adjoining church cemetery.

Kindly omit flowers.

Arrangements were made by Stradling Funeral Homes Inc., Akron/Ephrata.

Willard I. Markley, 83, of Akron, passed away Monday, March 12, 2012 at Hospice of Lancaster County, Mount Joy.

He was born in Lexington to the late Harry and Susan (Imhoff) Markley and was the husband of Ruth (Hernley) Markley, with whom he shared 63 years of marriage.

Willard was a member of Ephrata Church of the Nazarene, Ephrata. He was very dedicated to his church and helping out with many tasks. He also enjoyed yard work, many times helping others with theirs as well. During his working years, Willard worked for Pennsylvania Scale for 40 years before retirement.

Willard is survived by two daughters: Cheryl Muncy, of Mohnton; and Nancy, wife of Leroy High, of Leola; a son: Eric, husband of Della Markley, of Leola; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a brother: Charles Markley, of Lititz.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters.

Funeral services were held March 16 at Ephrata Church of the Nazarene with Dr. B.W. Hambrick officiating. Interment will follow in the Memory Gardens Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Willard’s memory may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604.

Celebrate the arrival of spring with the March family in the Ephrata High School Theatre musical "Little Women," a musical for the whole family, on March 30 at 7:30 p.m. and March 31 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.

What many cherish most — family, sacrifice, determination, hope and love –never goes out of style. Ephrata High School’s all-new musical, based on Louisa May Alcott’s beloved 19th century novel, brings to life the March family of Concord, Mass. All of Louisa May Alcott’s classic characters are here: warm and loving Marmee; vivacious Amy; sweet and dreamy Meg; tender-hearted Beth; handsome and charming Laurie; Aunt March; Professor Bhaer; and of course the passionate and funny Jo.

In a time of war and sacrifice, this new musical captures all the struggle, romance and deep emotions of Alcott’s beloved tale. Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth, guided by their mother, Marmee, grow from girls into women, through romance and courtship, illness and loss, loving and letting go.

Brimming with 20 songs, Kim Oler and Alison Hubbard’s Richard Rodgers award-winning score, is seamlessly matched by Sean Hartley’s book.

Reserved seats are available by calling the theatre box office at 721-1592 or by e-mail at easdpa.org. Tickets are $7 for students and children and $10 for adults.

By: STEPHEN SEEBER Review Staff, Staff Writer

High school students went old school last Friday to protest the district’s dress code on the allowable length of shorts.

In a fashionable display akin to Gandhi meets Daisy Duke, 150 Ephrata High School students pre-gamed on Facebook to plan a short-shorts rebellion dubbed "Booty Shorts Friday" during PSSA testing March 16.

"Guys wore short-shorts all the time back in the day, and we were just bringing it back," said one student demonstrator, on condition of anonymity for fear of repercussion. "I don’t know who started the ‘event,’ but an event was started on Facebook and soon reached 100 people attending that afternoon. The day before, the school really cracked down on the already strict dress code, so we thought it would be funny to all show up in the exact clothes they didn’t want to see."

These students, on a mission, used sweatpants and shorts-over-shorts to work their way past dress code checkpoints. Once inside, the offensive garb was revealed and class disruption ensued. Teachers, armed with rulers, measured the culprits for compliance, sending as many as 120 violators to a retaining room next to the office.