Category: Obituaries

John S. “Stew” Brown, Jr. MYERSTOWN John Stuart “Stew” Brown, Jr., 85, died Wednesday, January 28, 2015 in the hospice unit of the VA Medical Center, Lebanon. He was the husband of Jeannette K. (Miller) Brown to whom he would have been married 63 years on February 25, 2015. Born in Upper Darby on April 14, 1929, he was the son of the late John S. Sr. and Annetta Mae (Metzger) Brown. John served in the U.S. Air Force and PA Air National Guard for 41 1/2 years as an airplane mechanic and flight line supervisor, retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1989. He was a member of Friedens Lutheran Church, Myerstown. He was honored for serving as an assistant fire chief for 13 years with the Keystone Hook & Ladder Co. #1, Myerstown, with life membership in 1975. He also served as a trustee and assistant recording secretary. He was also a member of the 148th Fighter Squadron Assn. and the Marion Senior Citizens. John was a life member of several organizations such as the Lebanon Co. Firefighters Assn., the former Lebanon Co. Fire Chiefs Assn., Myerstown VFW Post 6076, Richland American Legion Post 880, Myerstown Rod & Gun Club, and the Lebanon Cedar Hunting Camp in Tioga County. John also camped with the GI Gypsies and Travel Timers, and helped serve ice cream with the ELCO Renaissance Program. In addition to his wife, John is survived by sons, John S. Brown III, companion of Diana Flanagan of Myerstown, Randall L., husband of Linda Mae Brown of Myerstown; grandchildren, Matthew and Katie; great-grandchildren, Sophia, Jackson, Kylie, Hayden, and Johnathon; two step great-grandchildren; brother, Richard F., husband of Luanne Brown of Sarasota, Fla.; half-sister, Margaret, wife of Karl Fink of Sterling, Va.; and 13 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his step-mother, Mabel Walton Brown. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Grose Funeral Home, 358 W. Washington Ave., Myerstown, preceded by a visitation beginning at 1 p.m. Interment with full military honors will be at Heidelberg Church of the Brethren Cemetery, Myerstown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friedens Lutheran Church, 301 W. Washington Ave., Myerstown, PA 17067; or Keystone Hook & Ladder Co. # 1, 25 S. Railroad St., Myerstown, PA 17067. www.GroseFH.com

Thomas L. “Tom” Cope, 75, of Bethel, PA and formerly of Manheim, passed away unexpectedly at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital on Saturday, August 9, 2014 after enjoying one final, wonderful family vacation to Bethany Beach, DE. Born in Ephrata, he was the son of the late John F. and A. Irene Groff Cope. Tom was the loving husband of Ruth E. Snyder Cope with whom he celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on August 6 during the family vacation. He graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 1961 with a BA in Business Administration and was the former President and CEO of the John F. Cope Co. Inc. (“Cope’s Corn”), a company started by his great grandfather 104 years ago. Most recently, he was the operator of Country Dogs of Blue Mountain Farm in Bethel, which is a dog boarding camp. Tom’s love for dogs was manifest by his actually swimming with them in one of the many ponds on the farm. He was an active and faithful member of Hempfield Church of the Brethren, where he served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons and Moderator. He was a committee chairman of Disaster Relief for the Atlantic Northeast District, a post which allowed him and Ruth to travel to numerous disaster-stricken areas of the US to rebuild homes. He served on the board and executive committee for the American Frozen Food Institute and was a former member of the Hempfield School Board. Tom also enjoyed a successful career as an aviator. He was a pilot for Pan American Airways in the 60’s and 70’s. He proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, flying KC-135’s and receiving several medals and commendations. Tom also retired as Lieutenant Colonel after twenty-seven years with the 193rd Special Operations Group of the PA Air National Guard, where he flew C-130’s and served as interim commander. After accumulating over 10,000 flying hours without a single accident, he received the Meritorious Service Medal and the PA Commendation Medal. His special interests included big game hunting, fishing, performing physical labor on the dog farm, and spending quality time with his family, especially at the beach house in Bethany Beach.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons, John T. Cope of Bethel, Dr. Jeffrey T. Cope, husband of Elizabeth (“Beth”) Miller Cope of Lancaster; four grandchildren, Taylor, Dylan, Amelia and Lincoln Cope; and two sisters, Carolyn Lamborghini, wife of Steve Glynn of Oregon and Jean? Leugers of Mount Joy. His first great grandchild is expected later this month. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa D. Cope.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his memorial service at Hempfield Church of the Brethren, corner of Stevens Street and Metzler Road, East Petersburg, PA on Saturday, August 16, at 11:00 AM. The family will greet friends from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Interment in Hempfield Church of the Brethren Cemetery with military honors. Please omit flowers. Those desiring may send contributions in Tom’s memory to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or to the Hempfield Church of the Brethren Memorial Fund.

Colonel Ralph E. Boeshore, USAF(Ret) and Brigadier General in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, served for 34 years in the military service. He was born February 25, 1922 in Jonestown PA, the son of Ray and Alice (Donmoyer) Boeshore. He was a graduate of Jonestown High School and Lebanon Business College with an Associate Degree in accounting.
During WWII, he was assigned to the 526th Bomb Squadron, 379th Bomb Group, serving in Kimbolton, England. Following the war, he served with the 193rd Special Operations Group until his transfer as Executive Officer in the headquarters of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Distinguished Unit Badge, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with 6 Bronze Stars. After the war he also served on the Board of Directors of the 379th Bombardment Group. He was a charter member of the National WWII Memorial, Washington, D.C.
He was a 62 year member of Grace United Methodist Church in Lemoyne, serving as Treasurer for 15 years, President of the Trustee Board, member of the Sunday School orchestra and choir. He was a 50 year member of the West Shore Lodge 681, 50 year member of Tall Cedars of Lebanon #43, Harrisburg Consistory, Zembo Temple, National Sojourners, Heroes 76, Cumberland County Shrine Club, Mechanicsburg American Legion Post 0109, and Lower Allen VFW Post 7530. He was Post Commander of the Camp Hill VFW. He served the Camp Hill Boys Baseball League as a coach, member of the executive committee, and commissioner. He was a past-president of the Lincoln Elementary School Association.
Ralph is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mildred (Sheaffer) Boeshore; his daughter Deborah Robertson and husband Gerald; his son Douglas and his wife Amy; three grandsons, Christopher Holtry, Mark and Brian Boeshore; great grandson Noah Holtry; a brother Russell Boeshore (wife Marie); two sisters, Shirley Fortna (husband Alfred), and Rita Bayler (husband John). He was predeceased by a brother Robert.
A graveside service with full military honors will be held at 9:30 A.M. on Friday June 6, 2014 at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, RRt. # 2, Annville, PA. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday June 6, 2014 at his church, Grace United Methodist Church, 309 Herman Ave., Lemoyne, with the Rev. John Shellenberger officiating. The family will also be reMyers-Harner@ Comcast.netMyers-Harner@comcast.netceiving friends in the church following the service. Myers-Harner Funeral Home, 1903 Market St., Camp Hill is handling funeral arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church to further the music ministry