12/4/1922 - 12/11/2011    Jean “Rathfon” Simmers 89 of Harrisburg passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family Sunday, December 11, 2011 at home.

She was a graduate from the former William Penn High School class of 1940. Jean was a member of Crosspoint United Methodist Church Harrisburg, the Former Ridgeview Garden Club, and UCC Friendship Club.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband John E. “Raymond” Simmers. Jean is survived by her son Donald P. Simmers and wife Tink, daughter Janet A. Dodge and husband Donald, 3 granddaughters Allison Hrestak and husband Frank, Ashley Moore, and Christy Simmers, a great granddaughter Alexzandrea Heath, sister Nancy Rock all of Harrisburg, and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held 11AM Saturday, December 17, 2011 at Crosspoint U.M. Church 430 Colonial Rd. Harrisburg, PA 17109. Inurnment will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Pinnacle Health Hospice 2645 North 3^rd St. #300 Harrisburg, PA 17110, or to her Church.

Arrangements are entrusted to Geigle Funeral home 2100 Linglestown Rd. Harrisburg, PA 17110. To send condolences to the family please visit www.geiglefuneralhome.com.

06/21/1950 - 12/08/2011    Gale E. Weaver 61 of Duncannon passed away peacefully Thursday, December 8, 2011 at home surrounded by her loving family.

She is survived by her son Aric S. Rowe of New Cumberland, two daughters Brandi C. Humer of Mechanicsburg, and Amanda Seaman of Camp Hill, three sisters Wendy L. Cesarano and husband Joseph of Florida, Lisa K. Lukens and husband Mark of Duncannon, and Kelly J. Ciccocioppo and husband Peter of Etters, 2 grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are entrusted to the Ronald C.L. Smith Funeral Home Duncannon, PA. To send condolences to the family please visit www.ronsmithfuneralhome.com.

06/15/1925 - 12/10/2011    Betty J. Weber 86 of Halifax passed away peacefully Saturday, December 10, 2011 surrounded by her loving family at Holy Spirit Hospital.

Betty loved the outdoors, enjoyed all animals, especially her cat “Baby”, but most of all she adored her grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Frederick H. Weber, and her four brothers and one sister.

Betty is survived by her loving daughter Bonnie L. Orris and husband Larry of Halifax, one brother Harry Rupp of Huntingdon, three sisters Irene Eyster of Halifax, Arlene Wiest of Millersburg, and Esther Kisner of Duncannon, 3 grandchildren Jeff Orris of Philadelphia, Gregory Orris and wife Linda of Palmyra, and Wesley Orris and wife Janelle of Harrisburg, and 3 great grandchildren Derek and Megan Orris of Palmyra, and Edie Orris of Harrisburg.

Funeral services will be held at 11AM Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at Ronald C.L. Smith Funeral Home 325 N. High St. Duncannon, PA 17020. Viewing will be from 10 AM until time of services. Burial will be at Long’s Cemetery Halifax, PA.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society 7790 Grayson Rd. Harrisburg, PA 17111.

To send condolences to the family please visit www.ronsmithfuneralhome.com.

06/16/1952 - 12/03/2011    Charles G. Chivis, 59, of Harrisburg, went home with the Lord on December 3, 2011. Fondly called as, Gagie, he was the third child born to the late Walker H. Chivis, Jr and Mary Ridgeway Chivis on June 16, 1952. He attended Wm Penn High School and Clarion State University. 

Upon achieving a BS in Education, he proudly served in the US Marines in Quantico, VA, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, California, and Japan as a 2^nd Lt with a ranking of Captain on honorable discharge. 

He loved to teach the Word and opened his home to a young Christian Assembly as a faithful servant. He was skilled in management as an employee of Merck Corp, Whitman’s Chocolates, and J&J Snacks. During his executive years, he created a system to reduce Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. His career ended with his desire to teach at the Hbg City Schools. His belief that student learning was daily mentoring to the youth, not just during school hours. 

Left to cherish are his mother, Mary Chivis, wife, Rosalind, her parents, Roosevelt and Anna Farrow, children, James Burno, Chelsey Williams ( Jamie), Charla Frazier (Dominique), grandchildren, Eric Rivera, Jalynn and Dominique Frazier, Brandon Burno, Jacob Williams, great grandchild, Eric Rivera, Jr , Siblings, Howard, Ronnie (Peggy) , Clara, and Angel, brother-in-laws, Cornelius Agent, Alvin and Donnel Farrow and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son Chad Walker Chivis and sister Kathryn Chivis-Agent. 

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his Home Going Service 11:30 a. m. Saturday, Dec 10, 2011 at Jesse H. Geigle Funeral Home 2100 Linglestown Rd Hbg. Interment will be at Indiantown Gap Natl Cemetery, Dec 9, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.

09/06/1923 - 12/1/2011    Virginia L. McGowan,  of 87 Schimmel Way, Carlisle, PA died Thursday December 1^st at home.  Born September 6, 1923 in Brooklyn, NY she was the daughter of the late Franklin and Emma Black of Gardners, PA and widow of John W. McGowan of Carlisle, PA.

An avid advocate for beautification of Carlisle, lifelong volunteer, and service club member, she was President of the Carlisle Garden Club and Chairman of Civic Improvement and Conservation. Community beautification projects included planting Zelkova elm trees on Willow Street, implementation of the Carlisle Window Box campaign, and adoption of and horticultural improvements to Thornwald Park.  In 1994, she received the Carlisle Parks and Recreation Department volunteer of the year award.  She was a member, fund raiser and supporter of the Carlisle Historical Society, Bosler Library, the Pennsylvania Conservancy Society and the Eastern Star.

Her talents and interests in singing and dancing contributed to the success of The Stardust Review, a fundraising event of the Eastern Star. A member of Sweet Adeline’s for 15 years she also taught ballroom dancing. Mrs. McGowan’s interest in interior design was showcased in the YWCA annual homes tour of her and her husband’s residence at 250 Glendale Street.

She was a member of the Maple Leaf Golf and Country Club, Port Charlotte, FL., and enjoyed playing golf and bridge.

Surviving are her children Judith Ann Bond, Donald Warrington Kauffman, Sherry Lee McSherry, and Jeffrey Paul Kauffman, one stepson Ronald McGowan; ten grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, two brothers Robert Black and Franklin Black.

Services will be held December 14^th 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church, North Hanover Street Carlisle with the Rev Jon Black officiating.  Visitation begins at 10:00 am, services at 11:00 am, followed by burial at Westminster Cemetery, North Middleton Township and refreshments at the church.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Foundation of America at www.givedirect.org.

Arrangements entrusted to the Hetrick-Bitner Funeral Home, 3125 Walnut St., Harrisburg.  To send condolences to the McGowan family please visit www.hetrickbitner.com.

3/2/1920 - 11/4/2011    On Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011 at the age of 91, Marguerite P. (Campbell) Geiger of Edgewater, NJ passed away under hospice care in Harrisburg, PA.

Her niece, Nancy Eshelman, and family were at her side.

Marguerite was born in New York City. She proudly called Edgewater home for almost 90 years.

 She married Walter E. Geiger, another Edgewater resident, in 1938. Walter & Marguerite were married for 56 years until his passing in 1994. Their one child, Patricia Geiger Lehner of Buffalo, NY passed away in 2008.

Marguerite is survived by her son-in-law Richard Lehner, 4 grandchildren: LTC Christopher Lehner of Lake Ridge, VA, Kenneth Lehner of Orlando, FL, Laurie Lehner Furch of McMinnville, OR, Stephen Lehner of New York, NY, their spouses and 8 great-grandchildren ranging in ages from 2 to 22. She was completely devoted to & very proud of her family.

Marguerite worked as an Auto Insurance Agent for over 30 years. During WWII she worked in the offices of the Alcoa Aluminum Company in Edgewater. She strongly believed in her community and volunteering. She volunteered for the Red Cross and served as President of the Central Auxiliary at Holy Name Hospital in 1962 & 1963. Until she became ill almost 3 years ago, she served on the board of the Housing Authority in Edgewater & was a proud member of the Zonta Club, a worldwide women’s organization of executives in business and the professions working together to advance the status of women. Marguerite and Walter were long-time members of the Knickerbocker Country Club in Tenafly, NJ.

Marguerite’s life-long parish was the Church of the Holy Rosary, at 365 Undercliff Avenue, Edgewater, NJ in Edgewater where the funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, Dec. 10. Friends may come to pay their respects from 10:00-11:00 AM in the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of Central PA at 1320 Linglestown Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Donations can also be made online on their website at www.hospiceofcentralpa.org.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Hetrick-Bitner Funeral Home 3125 Walnut Street Harrisburg, PA 17109. To send condolences to the family please visit www.hetrickbitner.com.

12/13/1925 - 12/4/2011    Constance Louise Lokyitch, 85, of Harrisburg, passed away Sunday at the Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg. 

She was born on December 13^th, 1925 in Harrisburg to the late Abe and Fannie (Sneidman) Swimmer. 

She retired from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Revenue. Constance was formerly active in B’nai B’rith and Chisuk Emuna Sisterhood. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Howard Lokyitch and her brother, Ernest Swimmer. 

Surviving are her two daughters, Sandy Blumenthal and her husband, Bruce of Langhorne, Robin Haller and her husband, David of Lebanon; her companion, David Demler of Harrisburg; six grandchildren and one great grandson. 

Funeral services will be held today at twelve noon at the Chisuk Emuna Cemetery Chapel. Rabbi Ron Muroff will be officiating. Burial will be in the Chisuk Emuna Cemetery. 

Arrangements by the Hetrick-Bitner Funeral Home. 

Memorial donations can be made to the Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg, 4000 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112. 

To share on-line condolences please visit www.hetrickbitner.com.

03/17/1942 - 12/4/2011    Edelgard Arnhild Chrisman 69 of Duncannon passed away Sunday, December 4, 2011 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born March 17, 1942 in Lobnitz East Germany the daughter of the late Arthur and Helene Klopzig.

She is survived by her loving husband James Chrisman, her son Roland, granddaughters Amanda and Alison, grandson Nicholas, and her great granddaughter Rhianen.

 Funeral services will be held 11AM Thursdsay, December 8, 2011 at Cornerstone Church 595 New Bloomfield Rd. Duncannon, PA 17020.

Visitation will be held from 10AM until time of services. Burial will be at Union Cemetery Duncannon.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Treatment Center of America Eastern Region 1331 E. Wyoming Ave. Philadelphia PA 19124.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Smith Funeral Home 325 N. High St. Duncannon, PA 17020. To send condolences to the Chrisman family please visit www.ronsmithfuneralhome.com.

11/16/1930 - 12/2/2011    Paul Anthony Kirkpatrick passed away on Friday evening, December 2, 2011, at Brookline Village in Mifflintown.

Paul was born and raised in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. After completing service in the Air Force, including the Korean War, he pursued a successful career with Kraft/General Foods where he was an accomplished process engineer. After retirement in 1984, he continued to consult and then spent several years with Rich Foods in Buffalo, New York.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman, belonging to the New Rochelle Rod and Gun Club. After retirement, he returned to Hattiesburg with his wife, and together they fostered many children, volunteered with the local fire department, and were active in their church, Sacred Heart, serving as Eucharistic ministers.

Paul last resided in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, and was a member of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary, four children, 13 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated 12PM Noon Friday, December 9, 2011 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church 6150 Allentown Boulevard Harrisburg, PA 17112. Viewing will be held from 11AM until time of Mass. Entombment will be at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are Entrusted to the Hetrick-Bitner Funeral Home 3125 Walnut St. Harrisburg, PA 17109. To send condolences to the Kirkpatrick family please visit www.hetrickbitner.com.