Virginia L. Swartz, 88, of Ephrata, went home to be with the Lord Friday, September 14, 2012 at Ephrata Manor.

She was born in Lancaster to the late Harry and Virginia (Eby) Bearinger and was the wife of Sam Swartz.

Virginia loved cooking, decorating, shopping and sewing. She graduated from Drexel University. Virginia was a home economics teacher for Cocalico High School.

In addition to her husband, Virginia is survived by a son: W. David, husband of Dianne Doherty, of Brownstown; a daughter: Ann, wife of Dr. Charles Yeager, of Ephrata; four grandchildren: Nick, husband of Mary Doherty, of Lititz; Nicole, wife of Michael Zimmerman; Justin Yeager, of New Orleans; and Dr. Laura Yeager, of St. Petersburg, Fla.

Virginia was preceded in death by her first two husbands: Ralph Doherty and Robert Ream.

A viewing will be held Sept. 20 from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Donecker Chapel at Ephrata Manor, 99 Bethany Road, Ephrata, followed by her funeral service held at 10 a.m. with Chaplain Sally Maxwell officiating. Interment will follow in the Lincoln Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Virginia’s memory may be made to Compassion Fund, First United Methodist Church, 68 N. Church Ave., Ephrata, PA 17522.

Anna C. Stepenaski, 60, of Christian, formerly of Ephrata, our angel here on earth, was called Home by our Lord Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012 at the Mt. Joy Hospice Center.

She was born in Norristown to the late Louis F. and Marie E. (Miller) Stepenaski.

Anna was employed by workshops in Norristown and Ephrata. She was an avid Phillies and Eagles fan. She loved to bowl, swim, knit, dance, music and take family trips to the shore.

Anna is survived by a brother: Stanley G., husband of Dorothy (Kozikowski) Stepenaski, of Willow Street; a sister: Patricia M., wife of Gerald F. Dunlap Jr., of Christiana; two nieces: four nephews: two great-nieces; and four great-nephews.

A viewing will be held Sept. 21 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church, 603 W. Second Ave., Parkesburg, followed by a mass of Christian burial with Priest Eschbach as celebrant. Final commendation and farewell will follow in Our Lady of Seven Dolores Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Anna’s memory may be made to Hospice & Community Care, formerly Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604.

Robert W. Plummer, 91, of Akron, passed away Monday, Sept. 10, 2012 at the Ephrata Community Hospital, after an illness of several months.

He was born in Wilkes-Barre to the late William and Elsie (Hughes) Plummer and was the husband of the late Madeline (Heineman) Plummer.

Bob was a state police officer for 35 years before he retired in 1974 as station commander of the Ephrata barracks. He also served in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg. He later worked as chief of security at Grace Mines, Bethlehem Steel in Morgantown. He was a member of the American Legion in Mt. Joy; Reamstown Athletic Club; VFW, Adamstown; and B.P.O.E. Elks 1933, Ephrata; past president, F.O.P. Robert Lapp Lodge 66, Ephrata; and member of Blue Lodge 665 F&AM, 32 degree Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Rajah Shrine Club, Reading; Rajah Temple, Reading; and the Jesters. Robert served as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He is a 1938 graduate of West Reading High School. He attended West Chester State College, where he participated in soccer, basketball, gymnastics and swimming.

Robert is survived by a daughter: Cheryl L. Plummer, of Akron; a brother: William Plummer, of Salem, S.C.; and a sister: Marion Gruver, of Dushore.

Carl Scott McWilliams, 81, of Terre Hill, passed away Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012 at the Ephrata Community Hospital.

He was born in Coatesville to the late Amos and Edith Mae (Hoops) McWilliams.

During his working years, Carl worked as a general laborer.

Carl is survived by his long time companion: Michelle Disanto, of Terre Hill; two daughters: Margaret (Cindy) Gusler, of Reamstown; Veronica Harding, of Oxford; a brother: Barry McWilliams; a sister: Mary March; a granddaughter: Pamela Witmyer; a grandson: Jeffrey Messner; and 12 other grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and others.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a grandson: Ronald Messner Jr.; a great-grandson: Austin C. Witmyer; and a great-granddaughter: Candyce Sue Messner.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family.

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

Mary Elizabeth Levengood, of Dagsboro, passed away at home in the care of her family Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012.

Born on Aug. 24, 1950 in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late George and Gertrude Pierce Balser. She lived in Ephrata until moving to Delaware 16 years ago.

She was a wonderful woman who dedicated herself to children. Her life was children, children, children — her own, her grandkids and the 175 foster children she helped to raise in her career with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a foster mother. She loved the beach, going out in the boat but most of all was devoted to her family. They called her "Santa’s helper."

She is survived by her husband: Jesse Allen Levengood; and her own children: Laura, Tracy, Joe, Pamela, Edna, J.R. and Jessie Jr. as well as the many foster kids and foster grandkids she helped raise over the years.; 11 grandchildren of her own; and siblings: George and William "Dennis" Balser; and Sandra Wentzell, Teresa Deemer and Marian Rebecca Ramey. She also leaves many extended family members and many, many friends.

Norman L. Kurtz, 60, of Morgantown, died Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012 at Kindred Health Care, Wyomissing.

Born in Lancaster, he was the son of Arlene M. (Landis) Kurtz of Bowmansville and the late Norman M. Kurtz.

Norman was a truck driver for most of his life, driving for Mervin Weaver and Quality Truck Lines. He enjoyed NASCAR, cooking and attending auctions.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by a sister: Kathleen Weaver, of Bowmansville; and a brother: Arlan, husband of J. Louise Kurtz, of Morgantown; and four nephews and a niece: Justin, Matthew, Heidi, Josiah and Joshua Kurtz.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law: Eugene Weaver.

His funeral was held Friday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. at the Groff-High Funeral Home, New Holland, with Pastor Robert Petersheim officiating. Interment took place Sept. 15 at Conestoga Mennonite Cemetery, Morgantown.

Online condolences and remembrances may be posted on groffeckenroth.com.

Jack Chester Kinsey Sr., 81, of Ephrata, passed away Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 at Lebanon VA Hospital.

He was born in Reading to the late Cecil and Marion (Bausher) Kinsey and was the husband of the late Bernice Mary Kinsey, who passed away in 2011.

Jack served his country during the Korean War in the Navy aboard the USS Gardiners Bay. He was the owner of Jack C. Kinsey Plumbing & Heating, where he was a self- employed plumber. Jack was a past president of the Reading Berks Plumbing Association and the Master Plumbers Association. He was a long-time active member of the Antietam Valley Lions Club. Jack was an Eagles and Phillies fan and also enjoyed golfing and hunting

Jack is survived by four sons: Jack, husband of Mary Ann (Smith) Kinsey, of Wernersville; Mark A., husband of Carol (Garland) Kinsey, of Reading; Eric A., husband of Mary Ann (Weiler) Kinsey, of Leola; Jason W., husband of Susan (Eberhart) Kinsey, of Ephrata; two sisters: Sandra Fairchild, of Sugarloaf; and Jill Warmkessel, of Bernville; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Jack was preceded in death by his stepfather: Harry Carl Rentz; and two sisters: Clio Tucker and Lois Kappenstein.

Catherine "Betty" Hainley, 88, Ephrata, died Friday, September 14, 2012 in Ephrata Manor.

Born in West Cocalico Township, she was a daughter of the late Claude S. and Bernetha (Brubaker) Hainley.

Betty worked for various Ephrata area textile factories, last for Shorenson, Brownstown. She enjoyed needlepoint, crafts and bus trips to Atlantic City.

Surviving are sisters: Arlene Ansel, of Reamstown; and Edith, wife of Paul Wike, of Newmanstown; brothers: Howard Hainley, of Schuylkill Haven; Robert, husband of Louise Hainley, and Richard, husband of Marian Hainley, both of Newmanstown; and nieces and nephews.

Private graveside services will be held in Millbach Community Cemetery, Newmanstown. Good Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, Reamstown, is honored to be serving Betty’s family.

For more information, visit goodfuneral.com.

Deborah A. Groff, 64, of Perryville, Md., passed away Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012 at her home.

She was the daughter of the late Dr. C. Eugene and Mary (Bolger) Miller and was the wife of Glen I. Groff, with whom she shared 45 years of marriage.

Debbie had an energetic zest for life that she shared with everyone she met. She will be sorely missed by everyone.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter: Jennifer R., wife of Noah Hinerman, of Palmyra, two sisters: Sally, wife of David Sternbach; and Kathy, wife of George Rabey; a brother: Craig Levitan and two grandchildren: Paige and Brooke; and a nephew: Dr. Joel Sternbach.

A viewing will be held Sept. 21 from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Stradling Funeral Home, 201 Church Ave., Ephrata, followed by her funeral service at 10 a.m. with Pastor Richard Cook officiating. Interment will take place in the Lincoln Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Deborah’s memory may be made to Victory Junction, 4500 Adams Way, Randleman, NC 27317. Victory Junction is a camp for children with terminal illnesses.

Todd Ruth

Ephrata Review

Sports Editor Sometimes success cannot be measured in wins and losses. And if that statement was ever made for anyone, it is the Ephrata High School football team.

From afar, it doesn’t appear that much has gone right for the Mounts and first-year head Coach Scott Shelley.

While the defense has been solid, the offense has scored just seven points in three games, which have all been losses. However, looking at the situation a little more closely, there is much to like about what has gone on.

What I’ve been impressed with most is the coaching staff hasn’t wavered. They are still preaching the "Building the Foundation, Brick by Brick" approach. And it appears, slowly but surely, the kids are getting it.

After Week One, a game in which they were manhandled 42-0 by Exeter, I went from thinking my prediction of a .500 season was looking to be a very generous one. I was wondering when I left the field that night whether this team would even win a game.

However, there was some definite progress made between Week One and Two. You couldn’t really see it on the scoreboard but you could see it in the way they played.