The Groffs – Obituaries and Tributes

Vivian B. Rhoads, 88, died Tuesday afternoon at Presbyterian Home of Maryland, Towson, MD. Formerly of Lancaster, PA she resided for many years on Chesapeake Avenue, Towson, MD and was a member of the Towson Presbyterian Church. She was the daughter of Maude L. Gallagher and wife of the late Donald M. Rhoads who preceded her in death in 1990.

She was employed for many years at the Williams & Wilkins Company, Baltimore, MD.

Private services with burial at Millersville Mennonite Cemetery.

Thelma N. Urban, 95, of Lancaster, PA, died at Manor Care on Monday, February 20, 2012. Born and raised in Lancaster, PA she was the daughter of the late Charles H. and Estella May (Ruth) Aten. She was the wife of the late Menno L. Sahm and the late John H. Urban.

Thelma started working in the tube department at RCA in 1950 and retired in 1978 after 28 years of service. She was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, enjoyed playing cards, and traveling with her husband particularly to Las Vegas.

She is survived by her son, M. Jere husband of Joanie Sahm of San Antonio, TX and her good friends Ed and Kathy Albright of Lancaster, PA, a granddaughter; Kim L. wife of Michael Hjort of Washington, DC, four Great-grandchildren and six Great-Great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, the late Raymond Eugene Sahm; three brothers, David C., Charles H. Jr., Maurice C. and three sisters; Flora M., Doris S., and Ethel M.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to Thelma’s Memorial Service at The Groffs Family Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., 528 W. Orange Street (corner of Orange and Pine Sts.) Lancaster on Friday, February 24, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Barbara Seras officiating. The family will receive friends at the Groffs from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. A private family interment will take place in Mellingers Mennonite Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Thelma’s name to St. James Episcopal Church, 119 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17603, Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603 or www.hospiceoflancaster.org.

Samuel Martin Myers, 93, of Lancaster, took his flight to Heaven on Friday morning, February 17, 2012 at the VA Medical Center, Lebanon, PA under the care of Hospice of Lancaster County. Born in Harrisburg, PA, he was the son of the late Samuel (Dusty) and Mabel Seabolt Myers and the loving husband of Jean E. Boettner Myers with whom he celebrated 72 years of marriage.

Sam graduated from McCaskey High School in 1939, graduated from Armstrong Supervisor School and enlisted in the Air Force in 1943. He was a member of Covenant United Methodist Church, Lancaster.

As a boy, Sam showed interest in aviation receiving his private license as a young man. He belonged to the Lancaster Aero Club, Civil Air Patrol, The Antique Airplane Association and The Silver Wings. He was for many years the owner and operator of Sam’s Laundromat in Lancaster and was known for his kindness and a listening ear. He was a 50 year 32nd degree Mason member of Lamberton Lodge #476, a life member of the Ocean City, N.J. Fishing Club and an avid swimmer. Sam was a YMCA life member; loved his family, music and animals.
He is survived by his wife, Jean E. Myers, two daughters, Sandra Jean Killian and Barbara Ann wife of Richard Ryan, all of Lancaster, 4 beloved grandchildren; Matthew G. Killian, New York, Ann Michelle, wife of Dustin Schlenbaker, Lancaster, Crystal Reedy and Corinna Killian of Lancaster, and his twin sister, Dorothy Kauffman, Lancaster.

Relatives and friends are invited to Samuel’s Celebration of Life Funeral Service at Covenant United Methodist Church, 110 N. Mulberry Street, Lancaster on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Theodore C. Mefferd officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be in Conestoga Memorial Park. Please omit flowers. Contributions in Samuel’s memory may be made to The Endowment Fund at Covenant United Methodist Church, 110 N. Mulberry Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 or Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603 or www.hospiceoflancaster.org.

Paula M. Tshudy, 53, of Lancaster died unexpectedly on Thursday evening, February 9, 2012 at Lancaster General Hospital. Born in Kearny, NJ she was the daughter of the late Charles and Dorothy Brown Meechan. She was married to Mark E. Tshudy with whom she would have celebrated 24 years of marriage on April 16th.

She grew up in New Castle, DE before moving to Lancaster. A graduate of Marymount University, Paula was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Church, Lancaster. She was involved with WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. She volunteered at the Lancaster General Hospital Cardiac Rehab and other various women’s health support groups.

In addition to her husband Mark, Paula is survived by her brother David Meechan of Bradenton, FL.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to Paula’s Memorial Service at The Groffs Family Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., 528 W. Orange Street (corner of Orange & Pine Sts.), Lancaster on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. The Family will greet friends at The Groffs from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the Service. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations go to WomenHeart in memory of Paula: www.womenheart.org or WomenHeart, 818 18th NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20006.

The Reverend Frederick Thomas VanderPoel, 86, of Lititz, PA died Monday, January 30, 2012. He was the husband of Martha A. VanderPoel with whom he celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Frederick was born in La Romana, Dominican Republic; he was the son of the Late Denton R. and Elizabeth Murphy VanderPoel. He grew up on a farm on the banks of the Hudson River in Schuylerville, NY. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps and served during WWII as an Airborne Radar Technician after which he graduated from Cornell University. He was employed at Armstrong Cork Company from 1950-1956 as a Research Chemist and Industrial Insulation salesman. He attended Philadelphia Divinity School and was ordained as an Episcopal Priest in Pittsburgh in 1957. He served as Rector of parishes in Penn Hills, PA, Severna Park, MD and Kansas City, MO for 26 years, Interim priest in Cedar Rapids, IA, Alexandria, VA (2 parishes) and Salisbury, MD and as a Bishop’s Assistant in Congregational Development in the Diocese of Delaware.

He was a member of St. James Episcopal Church and was a photographer for 72 years and enjoyed photographing Lancaster County farm scenes. He also enjoyed playing the bagpipes and played with 3 different bands in Baltimore, Alexandria, and Kansas City.

Frederick is survived by three daughters; Carol wife of Ray Blake, Lewes, DE, Rebecca, wife of Alan Zoellner of Williamsburg, VA, Gretchen, wife of Michael Flora, of Bloomington, IN, a son, Peter VanderPoel married to Carson Herrington of Arlington, VA, and six grandchildren; Ian and Luke Flora, Marta and Daniel Zoellner, and Frederick and Lila VanderPoel. He was preceded in death by his brother Denton R. VanderPoel, Jr.

Friends and Family are invited to attend Frederick’s Funeral Service on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at St. James Episcopal Church, 119 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602, at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. The interment will take place in St. James Church Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Frederick’s name to St. James Episcopal Church, 119 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602, or Lancaster Farmland Trust, 125 Lancaster Avenue, Strasburg, PA 17579, or Luther Care, 600 E. Main Street, Lititz, PA 17543.

Max Helsel, 66, son, brother and dear friend passed away Saturday, January 14, 2012. Born in Erie, PA he was the son of the late Calvin Helsel and Dorothy Helsel-Miller. For many chapters of his life he called the Lancaster area his home. He will be greatly missed by his surviving relatives and many, many friends he made in various social and business circles.

A Celebration of Max’s Life will be held at Lucky Dog Café, 1942 Columbia Avenue, Lancaster on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 1 until 4:00 p.m. A Time of Remembrance will begin at 2:30 p.m.

Robert N. Hess, 85, of Ephrata, PA, died Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at Lebanon Manor Care. Born in Lancaster City, he was the son of the late George L. and Blanche Boyle Hess. He was married to the late Ruby Kryger Hess.

He graduated from Penn Manor High School. He worked as a painter and paper hanger. Robert served in the United States Navy.

Robert is survived by a son Roger N. Hess of Lancaster, PA, a daughter Brenda Hess of Ephrata, PA, a stepson, Roger Howard and a brother, James D. Hess. He was predeceased by a stepson Carson Howard.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to Robert’s Memorial Service on Thursday, January, 26, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at The Groffs Family Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., 528 W. Orange Street (corner of Orange and Pine Sts.) Lancaster. The family will greet friends from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Robert’s name to the American Cancer Society, 314 Good Drive, Lancaster PA 17603.

Warren W. MacAdams, 97, of Willow Valley died Tuesday morning January 17, 2012 at Lakeside. Born in Philadelphia, PA he was the son of the late Thomas and Anna MacAdams. He was the husband of Jean Whitfield Wunsch MacAdams of Willow Valley. His first wife Thelma Even MacAdams died in 1982.

Warren was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, a 46 year member of Masonic Lodge 506 Jerusalem, Philadelphia and a World War II Army Veteran.

In addition to his wife Jean, he is survived by a son, Warren T. “Skip” husband of Penny MacAdams of Abbottstown, PA and daughters Carol J. wife of John C. Brower, III and Dianne K. wife of Charles R. Lisher, Warrington, PA, six grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family with burial in Sunset Memorial Park, Feasterville, PA. Please omit flowers, Memorials in Warren’s name may be made to Willow Valley Lakes Fellowship Fund, 300 Willow Valley Lakes Drive, Willow Street, PA 17584.

Herbert Lazarus, son of the late Joseph and Anna Lazarus died Monday, January 16, 2012 at the age of 84. Born in Baltimore and raised in Philadelphia, he moved to Lancaster in 1951. He was the loving husband of his wife of 60 years Phyllis (Stein), and a wonderful father to his children Anne L. (Frederic) Singer of Lancaster and Scott (Mary) Lazarus of Cleveland, Ohio, an adoring grandfather to his four grandchildren, James (Shannon) Lazarus and Sarah Lazarus of Cleveland, OH, Michael Singer of Waltham, MA, Jennie Singer of Lancaster and the proud great-grandfather of two great-grandchildren Noah James Lazarus and Madison Kay Lazarus. He was preceded in death by a brother Morton. Herbert was a Navy Veteran and a Real Estate and Insurance Broker until he retired 1n 1993. He was honored as Realtor of the Year and in 1972 was President of the Greater Lancaster Board of Realtors. Herbert also served Temple Shaarai Shomayim as Secretary and was President of the Lancaster Jewish Community Center. His family was his greatest joy, he loved to travel and enjoyed new experiences. He leaves a legacy of laughter and love.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to Herbert’s Funeral Service at Temple Shaarai Shomayim, 75 E. James Street, Lancaster TODAY, Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with Rabbi Jack Paskoff officiating. The family will greet friends at the Temple from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Service. Interment will be in Shaarai Shomayim Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made in Herbert’s name to Temple Shaarai Shomayim, 75 E. James Street, Lancaster, PA 17603.

Betty Jane Walker, 84, of Lancaster died at Lancaster General Hospital Friday morning January 13, 2012. Born in Fairfield, PA she was the daughter of the late James and Pearl Kauffman. She was married for 59 years to her husband, Gene T. Walker, who preceded her in death last August.

She received her nurses training at Lancaster General Hospital and worked as a Registered Nurse for both Lancaster General and Gettysburg Hospitals. Betty Jane was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church and loved spending time with her grandchildren, shopping and going to shows.

Betty Jane is survived by her sons John Walker of Dillsburg, PA and James A. husband of Gayle Walker of E. Berlin, PA. She is also survived by her three grandchildren Cale and Chase Walker of Dillsburg and Jaimie Walker of Littlestown, PA.

Family and friends are invited to Betty’s Funeral Service at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 31 S. Duke Street, Lancaster on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. The family will greet friends at the Church from 10:30 a.m. until time of her Service. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, 799 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made in Betty’s name to The Visiting Nurses Association, 354 N. Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 or Meals on Wheels, 1085 Manheim Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601