Obituaries

Koziar, William G. - 12/22/2007

William G. Koziar, 63, died unexpectedly in his Bernville home on Dec. 22, 2007.
 
Born in Reading, he was a son of the late William and Grace Koziar.
 
He was the operator of the family-owned Koziar’s Christmas Village holiday attraction in Bernville.
 
He was a graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy and earned a bachelor’s degree from Youngstown University and a master’s degree from Lehigh University.
 
He was a veteran of the Army, serving during the Vietnam War.
 
After his military service, he joined the family business, where he served as its chief executive officer. Bill Koziar was active in the Berks County community and served as a commissioner for Jefferson Township and as a member of the township’s planning and zoning board for many years. He received many community awards, including the Award of Excellence as one of the Top Ten Travel Attractions in Pennsylvania. Christmas Village was also awarded the Best Outdoor Display in the World by Display magazine.
 

Muhlenberg, William - 05/25/1915

Dr. William Muhlenberg, aged 62, one of the most distinguished physicians of Eastern Pennsylvania, died at Reading yesterday.
 
He was a lineal desccendant of Dr. Henry M. Muhlenberg, founder of the Lutheran church in America. He was born in Gettysburg and at the age of 11 heard president Abraham Lincoln deliver his famous address at that place. For forty years he was medical advisor of the late George F. Baer, president of the Reading Railway. The members of his family have been prominent in this state for 175 years.1
  • 1. Wilkes-Barre Tiems, 8/26/1915

Reber, Helen V. [Hershey] - 2/17/1994

READING Helen V. Reber, 71, of 1026 Franklin St., died at 9:45 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph's Hospital, Reading. She was the wife of Kenneth L. Reber. The service will be 2 p.m. Monday at the Bean Funeral Home, 1605 Rockland St., Reading. Following cremation, burial will be in Alsace Cemetery, Berks County. Viewing will be 1 to 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Mrs. Reber was born May 22, 1922 in York. She was the daughter of the late Samuel M. and Irene Hershey. She had been a seamstress for Wrights Knitwear in Leesport. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Reading. Mrs. Reber also is survived by a brother, Paul Hershey of York; and a sister, Lois Eaton of York. Officiating at the service will be her pastor, the Rev. Steve E. Belinski. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 43 S. 11th St., Reading 19602.1

  • 1. York Daily record, 2/19/1994

Reber, Maria A. - 2/1920

Lower Heidelberg, Feb. 18 (Special). Maria A., widow of Jonathan Reber, died in Lower Heidelberg towhship, near here, of general debility and ailments incident to old age following an illness which rendered her bedfast for there years. She was aged 94 years, 4 months and 14 dyas. She leaves the following children: Adam, near this place, with whom she had made her home; Jonathan, Rickenbach; Sarah, wife of Charles Eyrich, Schuyler Falls, N.Y.; Amelia, widow of Wellington Hiester, Reading; Mrs. Malinda Schaeffer, Reading. Funeral , Feb. 23, from the home of her son Adam at 2 P. m. Services and interment at Bern Church. Rev. J. W. Bittner, of Kutztown, will officiate. Undertaker, J. D. Naftzinger of Centerport has charge.1

  • 1. Reading Eagle, 2/18/1920

Reynolds, Elizabeth B. - 3/15/1981

Elizabeth Boyd Reynolds, 80, of Mohnton, R.D.3, was dead on arrival Sunday night at 7 in the Reading Hospital and Medical Center.

The wife of Gregg David Reynolds, she was born in Carlisle, a daughter of the late John B. and Mary B. (McCune) Bratton.

A member of the Society of Friends, Reading, Mrs. Reynolds was a graduate of Carlisle High School and Dickinson College, Carlisle, in 1922.

Surviving in additon to her husband are a son, G. David Reynolds, Jr., Wyomissing; a daugher, Caroline, widow of James C. Hiester, Baltimore, Md., and six grandchildren.

Memoral services will be Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Society of Friends, Reading. Theo C. Auman, Inc., has charge.1

  • 1. Reading Eagle, 3/16/1981

Reynolds, Gregg David, Sr. - 9/7/1983

Founder of firm dies at age 84

Gregg D. Reynolds, founder of the Culligan Water Conditioning franchise in Berks County in 1951, died Wednesday in Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Baltimore, MD., following a lengthy illness. Reynolds, 84, of Mohnton R.D. 3, retired as president of the franchise in 1969 and was succeeded by his son, G. David Reynolds, Jr of Wyomising and a grandson, G. David Reynolds III. The three-generation business has served water treatment needs for homes, institutions and industry in Berks County for more than 30 years. Previously, Reynolds had been a co-founder of the Bingaman Motor Express Company in 1920 and had served as secretary-treasurer. The firm had been sold to York (Hall's) Motor Express in 1945. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth (Bratton) Reynolds. Born in West Chester, he was a son of the late I. G. and Elizabeth M. Reynolds. A graduate of Swarthmore College, Reynolds was a member of the Society of Friends, Reading. In addition to his son and grandson, he is survived by a daughter, Caroline N., widow of James C. Hiester, Baltimore, and five other grandchildren.

Shade, Mary E. - 6/22/2008

Mrs. Mary E. Shade, 93, formerly of Reading, died of natural causes Sunday, June 22nd, 2008 at St. Joseph Medical Center.
 
Mary was born in Minersville, Pennsylvania on August 28, 1914, the daughter of the late Charles H. and Sarah R. (Zapf) Schwartz.
 
She was the widow of Frederick D. Shade. He died 12/22/02.
 
She worked as a laborer at Curtis, Stevens and Emery for 32 years.
 
She was a member of Reading Moravian Church Reading, Sang in choir, she was past president of King’s and Daughters, Sunday school superintendent, and leader of Girl Scout group # 64 and Campfire Girls.
 
Mary is survived by three sons Wellington A. Hiester,Jr. of Beauford, SC, Ronald N. Hiester of Florence, SC, and Richard N. Hiester of Oley.
 
Mary is also survived by a sister, Florence Krick of Reading.
 
She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 7 great great grandchildren
 
She was predeceased by daughter-Joyce M. Fenstermaker and brother, William Schwartz.
 

Weihrer, Amelia - 1924

Mrs. Andrew B. Weihrer

High mass of requiem was celebrated in St. Paul's Catholic Church by the first assistant rector, Rev. Lep J. Letterhouse, at the funeral of Amelia, wife of Andrew B. Weihrer, which took place from her home, 1205 Oley St. The body reposed in an oak casket with antique silver trimmings. Interment was made in Gethesame Cemetery by Undertaker Seidel

Weihrer, Edward E. - 5/9/1961

Edward E. Weihrer, 69, of 1018 Oley St., died this morning in St. Joseph's Hospital.

He was born in Reading,a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Weihrer. He was employed as an electrician by the state of Pennsylvania, prior to his retiremnet five years ago.

Weihrer was a member of the 12th ward Democratic Club, the Junior Fire Co., and the Marion Fire Co.

Surviving are his widow, Minnie (Battdorf) Weihrer, three daughter: Amelia, wife of George Edwdards, Stony Creek Mills; Winifred, wife of Earl L. Deininger Jr., Exeter township; and Jeanne, wife of Francis Fenstermacher, Miami, Fla.; two sons, Edward, Pasedena, Md., and Bernard B., Reading; five grandchildren; one sister, Rose K., widow of Dave Bauer, Reading, and one brother Arthur, unknown.

Funeral services will be held in the Gallman Funeral Home on Saturday, at 2 p.m., the Rev. Norman W. Shollenberger, officiating. Burial will be made in the Laureldale Cemetery.1

Weihrer, Edward E. - 5/9/1961

Edward E. Weihrer, 69, of 1018 Oley St., died this morning in St. Joseph's Hospital.

He was born in Reading, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Weihrer. He was employed as an electrician by the state of Pennsylvania, prior to his retiremnet five years ago.

Weihrer was a member of the 12th ward Democratic Club, the Junior Fire Co., and the Marion Fire Co.

Surviving are his widow, Minnie (Battdorf) Weihrer, three daughter: Amelia, wife of George Edwdards, Stony Creek Mills; Winifred, wife of Earl L. Deininger Jr., Exeter township; and Jeanne, wife of Francis Fenstermacher, Miami, Fla.; two sons, Edward, Pasedena, Md., and Bernard B., Reading; five grandchildren; one sister, Rose K., widow of Dave Bauer, Reading, and one brother Arthur, unknown.

Funeral services will be held in the Gallman Funeral Home on Saturday, at 2 p.m., the Rev. Norman W. Shollenberger, officiating. Burial will be made in the Laureldale Cemetery.1

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