James R. Simpson 72, of Reading, passed away on Thursday April 2nd in Mt. Dora Florida.   Born March 3, 1948 he was the son of the late Rolland W. and Catherine (Dorscheid) Simpson.  He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1966 where he was the county and national science fair champion.  He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1970 in chemical engineering and received a master’s degree from the University of...

Louisa Yost (Knauer) Berndt, 80, died March 31, 2020 in her Maidencreek Township residence. She was the widow of Leon Henry Berndt, Sr., with whom she shared 50 years of marriage. Born January 9, 1940, in Cocalico, Lancaster County, she was a daughter of the late George G. and Kathryn H. (Yost) Knauer. Louisa was self-employed as a farmer her entire life. Her favorite past-time was riding her horses, Rocky and Licorice. Surviving are her five children: Robin L. (Knauer), wife of Geno...

Shirley Jean Pike, 87, of Blandon, passed away March 26, 2020 in the Reading Hospital.  She was the wife of Clifford J. Pike and they were married for 60 years.  Born in Reading, PA on January 23, 1933, she was a daughter of the late James F. and Carrie L. (Englehart) Reaser. Shirley was a 1950 graduate of Reading High School.  She was employed as an installation manager for Sears and Roebuck for over 20 years. She also worked for Prizer-Painter Manufacturing. In addition...

Maybelle Gertrude (Harner) Bryan, 92, of Kutztown, died March 25, 2020, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest.   She was the widow of Guy William Bryan who died November 25, 2001.   Born, December 25, 1927, she was a daughter of the late Samuel and Sylvia Crystal (Quigg) Harner.   Maybelle was employed with Wagner Electric, Boyertown for over 55 years, retiring in 1993.   She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Lobachsville.   Maybelle...

Lenora Ann Freese, 84, of Muhlenberg Township, died March 23, 2020 at Tower Health - Reading Hospital, West Reading.   She was the wife of Rodney Edward Freese, to whom she was married July 20, 1974.   Born, May 1, 1935, in Phoenixville, she was a daughter of the late Sarah (Law) Elliot.   Lenora was a 1953 graduate of Ontelaunee High School.   She was employed as a waitress for many years, having worked at Beef and Beer, Muhlenberg Townshipp, and East Ends...

Jane M. (Hinkel) Shuman, 85, died March 22, 2020 in her Muhlenberg Township residence. She was married July 18, 1953 to Kenneth E. Shuman, who died January 20, 2013. Born in West Reading, PA on June 6, 1934, she was a daughter of the late Frederick L. and Margaret A. (Loftus) Hinkel. Jane was a 1952 graduate of Ontelaunee Area High School. She was employed as a secretary to the superintendent with Ontelanuee Area Joint School System and later with Muhlenberg High School before retiring...

Donald H. Hepler, 85, of Muhlenberg Township, died March 18, 2020, in Reading Hospital.  Born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, he was a son of the late William H. and Grace A. (Straub) Hepler.  Donald was a 1953 graduate of Cressona High School, Schuylkill County, and was a proud United States Army Veteran.  He worked at Carpenter Technology for many years, retiring in 1987.  Don enjoyed his many years of living in Millsboro, Delaware on the Rehoboth Bay, where he spent...

  Joan D. “Skeeter” Rothermel, 77, of Fleetwood, passed away March 18, 2020 in Penn State Health St. Joseph, with her loving family by her side. She was the wife of Randall J. “Bup” Rothermel, Sr. and they were married for 61 years. Born in Temple, PA on November 5, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Abner and Meriam (Homan) Arndt. In addition to her husband she is survived by her children:  Randall J., husband of Kim Rothermel of Oley, Darryl L....

Betty May Dautrich, 87, of Reading, passed away March 17, 2020 in the Reading Hospital. She was the wife of Richard Edward Dautrich. Born in Reading, PA on July 1, 1932, she was a daughter of the late William Tobias and Annie Elida (Schmehl) Wilk. Betty May was a 1950 graduate of Reading High School. She was a member of the Salvation Army Church in Reading. She last worked as a clerk in the accounting department for CNA Insurance Company of Reading.  She is survived by her...

Joseph Edward Dziki, 96, formerly of Riverview Park, died March 16, 2020 at Columbia Cottage, Wyomissing.   He was the widower of Virginia Mary (Analavage) Dziki, who passed away May 25, 2017.    Born, April 4, 1923, he was a son of the late Jacob and Victoria (Heckmanski) Dziki.   Joseph was a 1940 graduate of Reading High School, and a 1942 graduate of Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute - Penn State University.     He proudly served our country in...