WILLIAM WEAVERWilliam B. ‘Willie’ Weaver, 77, of Kutztown, passed away Wednesday, May 28, 2014 in Lehigh Center. He was the husband of Martha G. (Kamp) Weaver. On June 7, 2014 they would have been married 56 years.
Born in Allentown; he was a son of the late Raymond and Priscilla (Rohrbach) Weaver.
He was a truck driver at Marsteller Granary for 41 years before retiring. Previously he worked for Caloric Corporation, Deka Batteries, Eastern Industries and Beck’s Feed Mill.
He was a member of Zion’s Union Church, Maxatawny. He belonged to Kutztown Grange for 27 years and the Pike Township Sportsman’s Association.
Survivors: wife; son, David of Fleetwood; daughters, Sharon A. wife of William Witman of Fleetwood; Karen A Weaver of Kutztown and Debra Rhein and her husband Robert of Reading; grandchildren, Allison, Krista, Colin, and Delaney.
Service: 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 2, in Zion’s Union Church Maxatawny 329 Church Road Kutztown. Burial in the church cemetery. A calling hour will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the church. Schmoyer Funeral Home, Breinigsville is in charge of arrangements. www.schmoyerfuneralhome.com
DEANNA L. BURKDeanna L. (Merkel) Burk, 43, of West Lawn, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 in Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading. She was the wife of Gregory A. Burk. They were married August 15, 1992.
Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of Shirley A. (Unangst) Burkhart of Kutztown, and the late John D. Merkel, who died Sept. 19, 1987.
Deanna was a 1988 graduate of Kutztown Area High School; and a 1995 graduate of the Reading Hospital School of Nursing, receiving her diploma as a Registered Nurse. She also attended Penn State University.
Deanna was employed as a Registered Nurse in the Telemetry Unit by Ephrata Community Hospital, Ephrata since 2012, last working on Wednesday. Prior to that, she was employed in the same capacity by Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, for 17 years.
Deanna enjoyed dancing, and was currently taking tap dance lessons at Dance Fusion Studios, Sinking Spring. She was a lifetime member of the Virginville Grange #1832, Virginville. She also enjoyed Geocaching. Deanna will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Survivors: Husband; mother; daughter, Leeya L. Burk, at home; sisters, Tracee L. (Merkel), wife of Rodney R. Hackman, Conestoga, Lancaster Co., Kimberly S. Merkel, Kutztown. She was predeceased by her father; and stepfather, Dennis D. Burkhart on May 6, 2006.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 1, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. in Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown with Reverend Gerald C. Arndt officiating. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. Relatives and friends may call Sunday afternoon from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
Contributions: The family requests contributions be made to National Marfan Foundation, 22 Manhasset Ave., Port Washington, NY 11050, or at www.marfan.org Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., Kutztown, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.ludwickfh.com.
JOHN R. SOUSLEYJohn R. Sousley, 82 of Albany Township died in his residence May 30 surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Laila M. (Mertz) Sousley to whom he was married to for 61 years. They first met a Hummel’s Restaurant in Lenhartsville and eventually became engaged there.
John was born in Albany Township and was the son of the late Robert C. and Bertha (Knechel) Sousley.
He was the owner operator of John’s Auto and Towing, Albany Township for 55 years retiring in 2012.
John was a 1949 graduate of Kutztown High School and a peace time U.S. Army Veteran.
He was a former member of the Hawk Mountain Civic Club and a past president.
In addition to his wife, John is survived by 1 son, Kevin R. husband of Connie M. Sousley, 1 daughter Barbara A. wife of William Keim both of Albany Township. He is also survived by a grandson, Nathan Keim, of Albany Township, 1 step grandchild, Jason Ferguson, Allentown and 2 step great grandchildren, Kylie B. and Owen M. Ferguson both of Allentown.
John is also survived by a brother, Roy D. husband of Linda Sousley, Albany Township.
Services and burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Frieden’s Church, Old 22, Lenhartsville, PA. 19534.
The Burkey & Driscoll Funeral Home Inc., Hamburg is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.burkeydriscoll.com.
NATHAN D. WARKENathan Daniel ‘Nate’ Warke, 34, of Allentown, formerly of Kutztown, died suddenly on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, as a result of an automobile accident in Allentown.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of Jonathan S. and Jane E. (Masenheimer) Warke of Kutztown.
Nathan was a 1998 graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School, Allentown, where he was an outstanding and accomplished All-Conference offensive center and defensive end on several of their football teams. Awarded Central Catholic Athlete of the week, he was a major contributor to the success of the 1996 PIAA Eastern Final team and 1997 East Penn Conference and District 11 title teams. He was also a member of Central Catholic’s wrestling team, where he was 22-6 and finished sixth in District 11 as a junior.
During his senior year, he was named into the East Penn Conference’s All Star Squad. After high school, Nathan attended Merrimack College, North Andover, MA, on a football scholarship, where he was a member of a SportsFest flag football championship team in 2001.
Nathan then transferred to Kutztown University, graduating in January of 2009, receiving his Bachelor of Fine Art degree. While attending KU, he was a member and star player of the Men’s Rugby Team.
He was currently employed as a table games dealer by Sands Casino, Bethlehem, for over two years. Previously, Nathan was employed as a bartender by the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Kutztown; Heeby’s Surplus, Inc., Blandon, and as a counselor at KidsPeace, Schnecksville, for over eight years.
He was a member, and past president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 839, Kutztown; a member of the Kutztown Rod and Gun Club; and the Kutztown Fire Company. He also ran in several of the annual Kutztown Optimist Club’s Fool’s Day Run.
He was a member, and past president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 839, Kutztown; a member of Lehigh Lodge #326, F. & A.M., Macungie; Kutztown Rod and Gun Club; and the Kutztown Fire Company.
Nate’s smile, laugh, and ‘larger than life’ personality was infectious. Everybody he knew wanted to be around him. You could always find him surrounded by his friends. His sister even referred to him as the ‘Mayor of Kutztown.’
Nathan was an avid supporter, and loved to attend the football games and wrestling matches of his nephews. He was a significant part of birthday parties, holiday festivities, and ice skating on his family pond. Some of Nathan’s favorite places included Cape Hatteras, NC; and the beach. An avid fisherman and hunter, Nate was also a diehard Denver Broncos and John Elway fan. He knew every statistic of every football game or player. Nathan was a wonderful son, brother, and uncle, who was loyal, supportive, energetic, strong, sensitive, honest, genuine, trustworthy, caring, protective, warm hearted, chivalrous person with a great sense of humor. He was ‘one of a kind,’ and ‘was the combination of the best of us all.’
Survivors: Parents; sister, Laura J. (Warke), wife of Mark W. Miller, Kempton; and their children, Mason, Mitchell, and McCoy; brother, Jeremy J., husband of Lynn M. (Jankowski) Warke, Auburn, Schuylkill County; and their children, Augustus, Alexandra, Adalynn and Jonathan; brother, Travis J. Warke, Kempton; and his son, Logan; brother, Jesse T. Warke, Allentown; maternal grandmother, Ellen M. (Lentz) Masenheimer, Allentown. His nephew Caleb Warke predeceased him.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 11 a.m. in Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown. Interment will follow in Zion’s Cemetery of Perry Township. Relatives and friends may call Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday morning from 10 to 11 a.m. in the funeral home.
The family requests contributions be made to Nathan Daniel Warke Memorial Fund, c/o Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., P.O. Box 292, Kutztown, PA 19530-0292. Online condolences may be recorded at www.ludwickfh.com
