It is with heavy heart that we announce the loss of one of our social members and dear friend of the post, Ron Stonesifer, husband of our Cindy Stonesifer.
From his obituary online:
Ronald P. Stonesifer, 58, of Manor Township, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at Hospice and Community Care, Mount Joy.Born December 27, 1954 in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Robert W. Stonesifer, Sr. and Marie L. (Benner) Stonesifer. He was married to Lucinda A. “Cindy” (Caldwell) Stonesifer for over 16 years.
In addition to his wife, he will be lovingly missed by two daughters, Kelly L. Stonesifer and Amanda B. Stonesifer, both of Lancaster; his siblings, Robert W. Stonesifer, Jr., of Millersville, Yvonne M., wife of Raymond Tshudy, of Schaefferstown, Richard A. Stonesifer, husband of Joan, of Willow Street, Kathleen L., wife of Eric Maurer, of Lancaster, Randy D. Stonesifer, of Columbia and Jeffrey R. Stonesifer, husband of Ivy, of Columbia; five wonderful grandchildren, Jorden P. and Jaeden E. Martinez, Nathan R., Robert N. and Johnessa A. Mendez, as well as his dog, Clyde.
A Celebration of Ron’s life will be held at the Andrew T. Scheid Funeral Home, 320 Blue Rock Road, Route 999, Millersville, PA 17551 on Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at 2 PM (Visitation 1-2 PM). Private Interment will be held at the convenience of the family.
Ron’s presence will be missed at the bar – he was a friendly face always happy to see and be seen by everyone.
Although he had been absent recently because of his poor health, we are saddened to report the loss of one of our regular members who had a strong guiding hand in our post, Frank Filling. Frank was a good man and dear friend of the VFW, as well as a successful local businessman who was very active in the community. We lost his brother Bill a little over a year ago, and now Frank has followed his brother to rest. From his obituary at LancasterOnline.com:
Frank Filling
Frank F. Filling, Jr., 94, of Landis Homes, formerly of Lancaster, passed away on Saturday, November 10, 2012 surrounded by family. Born in Millersville, he was the son of the late Frank F. and Kathryn (Taylor) Filling.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mabel “Mae” (Hassis) Filling in 1999.
He was the retired President of Filling’s, Inc., Dry-cleaning, Mens and Ladies Stores. He retired in 1987 after 53 years with the Filling Corp.
Frank served as president of the Central PA Drycleaners Guild and the PA Association of Professional Dry Cleaners. He was elected to the International Institute of Dry-cleaning Board of Directors and was instrumental in the formation of the International Fabricare Association with headquarters and school in Maryland.
In 1970, Frank received the coveted “Keystone Award” in recognition of the outstanding civic and industry achievements in PA.
Frank was very proud of the article written in the Wall Street Journal on the front page titled, “The Venturers Frank Filling’s Financing of a Small Business in a Recession,” an article about small businesses dealing with banks.
He was a charter member of the Lancaster Sertoma Club. He served as president in 1956 and was governor of Sertoma International 1957-1959. Frank was the first member to receive the Sertoman of the Year Award in 1983. He served as chairman of Sertoma’s Chicken Barbecue in 1961, the year it made it to The Guiness Book of World Records as the World’s Largest Chicken Barbecue. He also holds the Club record of 54 years of consecutive perfect attendance.
He was a member of the Charles M. Howell #496 Masonic Temple.
Frank served his country in the U.S. Army in the Pacific during WWII and received the secretary of War Meritorious Service Award for saving crew members from a burning plane.
He was a charter member of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, served on Church Council, and was Chairman of the first church building program.
He organized the Lancaster Central PA “Better Business Bureau” and served as Chairman of the Board of Managers from 1978-1980. He served on the Board of the following organizations, Lancaster Multiple Sclerosis Society, The Longs Park Amphitheater Foundation, Millersville Meals on Wheels, and The “Gate House” Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation in Mountville for Women and in Lititz for Men. He was affiliated with “SCORE” (Service Corps of Retired Executives), the Small Business Administration as Chairman in 1992 and won a citation as one of the best chapters in the USA. He was selected as a member of “SCORES’s” National “Counselor Development Program” and awarded “SCORE’s” Platinum Achievement Award for Counseling Achievements in 1995. He also served on the Millersville VFW Post 7294 Board of Directors.
Frank was an avid skier and served as President of the Roundtop 60 plus Ski Club.
Surviving, a son, Frank F. Filling III, of Rock Hall, MD, a daughter, Susan L. Arnold, wife of Craig E., of Lancaster, three grandchildren, Tom, Andrew, and Doug, two sisters, Mary Klemmer, of Mountville, Kay Straley, of Ronks, two brothers, Richard Filling, husband of Barbara, of Lititz, James Filling, husband of Linda, of Lititz and a sister-in-law, Kitty Filling, of Millersville. He was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Echterling, and two brothers, Albert and Jay William Filling.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Funeral Service on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 11AM at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 3131 Columbia Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603 with The Rev. Burton J. Parry officiating. Viewings will be held on Wednesday from 7-9PM in the Chapel at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, and again at the church on Thursday from 10-11AM. Interment will be held in Millersville Mennonite Cemetery with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Frank’s memory to Holy Spirit Lutheran Church or the Millersville VFW Post 7294, 219 Walnut Hill Rd., Millersville, PA 17551.
Our thoughts are with his family members. Frank was a good man and will be dearly missed.
Harry W. Downer, 86, of Columbia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 19, 2012 at the Susquehanna Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a brief illness.
Harry was a technician for American Testing Laboratories.
Born December 25, 1925 in Fruita, CO, he was the son of the late Harry E. and Goldie Mae (Bickel) Downer. He was married to the late Viola I. (Kline) Downer, who died in 2008.
A Veteran of WWII, Harry proudly served with the ÂUnited States Navy. He was a life member of the Millersville/Manor VFW-Post 7294.
Surviving are his five children, Marilyn I. married to Michael E. Hite, of Lancaster, H. Frank Downer married to Cheryl, of Wilmington, DE, Steele E. Downer married to Barbara, of Detroit, MI, ÂDarlene L. married to Jonathan Rose, of Greenville, NC and Crystal T. married to Robert Nosworthy, of Gibsonville, NC; nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Colin M. Nosworthy.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Andrew T. Scheid Funeral Home, 320 Blue Rock Road, Route 999, Millersville, on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 7 PM. Interment will be on Friday at 9:30 AM in the Conestoga Memorial Park, Lancaster, PA with Military Honors. Relatives and friends may call at Scheid’s on Thursday between 6 and 7 PM. Kindly omit flowers. Memorial Remembrances can be made in Harry’s memory to the Millersville/Manor VFW-Post 7294, 219 Walnut Hill Road, Millersville, PA 17551.
There’s always a feeling of guilt when we learn of a member’s passing after they’re gone; the inevitable scramble to find records and/or someone that knew them, particularly when it’s an older member. This happened with Dale Carbaugh, who passed on November 5, 2011. Dale was a WWII veteran and served in the US Army. His family chose to have donations come to the Post, which is incredibly touching and we’re eternally grateful for their generosity – but we feel terrible that we only learned of Dale’s passing when a donation arrived in his name. We looked him up and learned belatedly we missed his funeral, and that makes us feel terrible. All of us at Post 7294 wish his family the very best.
Dale Eber Carbaugh, 89, of New Holland and formerly of Lancaster, passed away peacefully Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 at Maple Farm, Akron.
Born March 23, 1922 in South Mountain, he was the son of the late Oscar and Anna (Eicholf) Carbaugh. He was married to Janice A. (Bennett) Carbaugh on April 30, 1943.
A veteran of WWII, Dale proudly served with the U.S. Army. Carbaugh retired in 1984 from Dentsply International, York, where he worked in the Data Processing Department for 18 years.
Dale enjoyed hunting and spending time with his family. He was also a member of Keystone Church, Paradise.
In addition to his wife of over 68 years, he will be lovingly missed by two sons: Dale L., husband of Barbara, of Ephrata; Gary L., husband of Barbara, of Huntsville, Ala.; a daughter: Brenda A., wife of Thomas Weaver, of New Holland; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers: Melvin and Eugene Carbaugh.
Funeral services will be held at the Andrew T. Scheid Funeral Home, 320 Blue Rock Road, Millersville, on Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. Interment will be in the Conestoga Memorial Park, Lancaster, with military honors accorded by the Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard and the Vet 21-Salute Honor Guard.
Kindly omit flowers. Memorial remembrances can be made in Dale’s memory to the Millersville VFW Post #7294.
It is with great sadness that I report the loss of our dear friend and one of our founding members, Bill Fillings. Bill not only was on our Board of Directors, he was one of the charter members of the Post and was an active member despite his failing health. His devotion and dedication to the Post was legendary, and he worked very hard to keep the Post going through some of our most difficult times.
From his obituary on the Charles F. Snyder website:
Bill FillingJay William Filling, 86, of Millersville, died on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at Hospice of Lancaster County Essa Flory. Born on April 10, 1925, Bill was the son of the late Frank F. and Kathryne (Taylor) Filling. Bill is survived by his wife, Kathryn “Kitty†Dechant (Hauck) Filling. Bill and Kitty are members of Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, Lancaster.
Bill graduated from Penn Manor High School and Millersville University. Bill also attended the University of Kentucky, where he was a star basketball player.
Having served our country as an Air Force cadet beginning in 1943, he was later commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1945.
Bill started Filling’s Clothing Store, a division of Filling’s, Inc., in 1948. He was a devoted businessman and spent his entire working career building the family business, now being run by the third generation. He retired as President in 1995.
Bill was a charter member and past President of the Lancaster Sertoma Club. He served on the Hempfield Zoning Board and Hempfield School Board, serving two years as President. He also served on the Board of Directors of Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce; the Board of Directors of Lancaster County Council of Boy Scouts; the Board of Directors of Wyomissing Savings and Loan; and the Board of Directors of the Millersville VFW, where he was a charter member. Bill was a member of the Harrisburg Royal Order of Jesters; the Harrisburg Zembo Temple; and a 50 year member of the Charles M. Howell Masonic Lodge as a 32nd degree Mason. He also was a member of the Slumbering Groundhog Lodge of Quarryville and the ROMEO’s (Retired Old Men Eating Out).
Bill was also a member of the Hamilton Club, Conestoga Country Club, Tanglewood Golf Club, and Millersville Lions Club. He played competitive basketball and enjoyed skiing and playing golf for many years.
Bill will be deeply missed by his wife of 60 years, Kitty, and his children and grandchildren: Linda and her children, Ashley and Chase Johnston; Bill, Jr., wife Tara (Donohue), and their children, Morgan and Tyler; Jay, wife Mary Beth (Aichele), and their children, J.J., Lindsay, and Katie. He is also survived by siblings Frank Filling, Jr.; Mary Klemmer; Richard Filling and wife, Barbara; Kay Strayley; and James Filling and wife, Linda. He is preceded in death by siblings Betty Echterling and Albert Filling. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Celebration of Life Memorial Service on Monday, September 26, 2011 at 11:30am at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit 3131 Columbia Ave. Lancaster, PA with the Rev. Richard Jorgensen officiating. Visitations with the family will held on Sunday from 4-7pm at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 3110 Lititz Pike and again at the church on Monday from 10:30-11:30am. Interment will be private in the Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard and the Vet-21 Salute Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Lancaster Sertoma Club to benefit The Long’s Park PO Box 1061 Lancaster, PA 17608 or Hospice of Lancaster County 685 Good Dr PO Box 4125 Lancaster, PA 17604 or online at www.hospiceoflancaster.org in appreciation and gratitude for their unwavering support and kindness. To send the family an online condolence please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-5100
Our condolences go out to his wife Kitty, and our thoughts and prayers go out to all his family.
Ronald P. Stonesifer, 58, of Manor Township, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at Hospice and Community Care, Mount Joy.Born December 27, 1954 in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Robert W. Stonesifer, Sr. and Marie L. (Benner) Stonesifer. He was married to Lucinda A. “Cindy” (Caldwell) Stonesifer for over 16 years.
