Obituaries for Perry County for the weeks preceding August 10.
THOMAS L. LOPER JR.
Thomas Lee “Tommy” Loper Jr. was born Sept. 18, 1980, and passed away in his childhood home on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
He was a Susquenita High School graduate and then went on to work as a laborer.
He had many loves in his life, spending time with his family and friends, as well as WWE and he loved to watch all the wrestling shows, which he shared that love with his dad.
He could tell play-by-plays and verses from so many movies and TV shows, as well as knowing the lyrics to so many songs. He had a love for the beach that was instilled in him from a very young age and still loved going every chance he got. He also enjoyed fishing, taking long walks and loved doing puzzles, and he had a love for Mountain Dew like no other.
He had a beautiful smile and his eyes were like bright blue cracked marbles, his laugh was infectious, a jokester like no other. He was an amazing son, brother, brother-in-law, nephew and the best uncle ever, even to extended family. He loved everyone — truly a great soul.
Surviving are his mother, Anna “Annie” (Hockenberry) Loper; four sisters, Jennifer (late Joseph) Isenberg of Selinsgrove, Holly (Rick) Seiler of Duncannon, Janel Martin and her companion Jason Lukens of Watts Twp., and Erin (George Jr.) McKelvey of Duncannon; two nieces, Tori Isenberg and Laila Lukens; five nephews, Ethan Seiler, Isaac Isenberg, Franklin Martin III, Colin McKelvey and Conner McKelvey; and a great-niece, Sirena Isenberg.
He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Lee Loper; niece, Ashley Seiler; nephew, Christian Seiler; and his fur-ever family, Harley (Harls, Carls) and Jack Loper.
A celebration of life will be held at Duncannon VFW Post 255 from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday, Aug. 9.
Ronald C.L Smith Funeral Home, Duncannon, handled arrangements.
DAVID P. RADLE JR.
David Peter Radle Jr., 77, of Landisburg entered into rest on Friday, July 26, 2024, at his residence.
He was born in Carlisle on Feb. 22, 1947, to the late David Peter Sr. and Bertha Mildred (Kell) Radle.
He attended the Perry Joint school and Eshcol Brethren in Christ Church, Newport.
In earlier life, he was employed at the Gibson Block Company, Carlisle, and in recent years operated his own independent firewood business.
Surviving are his wife, Betty, whom he married Oct. 31, 1987; children, Lisa Erb of Millerstown, Lori (Paul) Schnitzer of New Bloomfield, Julie Bechtel of New Bloomfield, Thomas Radle of Burnham, Brian (Lindsey) Radle of Shermans Dale and Jennifer Radel of Landisburg; a stepdaughter, Sherrie Collins of Shermans Dale; 18 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren. three siblings, Joyce Meyer of Duncannon, Jean (Bob) Sharar of Newport and Daniel Radle of Newport; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a son, David Patrick Radle, who died in February 2004.
A service was held July 30 in Nickel-Lochstampfor Funeral Home, Loysville, with the Rev. Joseph L. Shepherd officiating. Interment was in Saint Peter’s United Church of Christ Cemetery, Landisburg.
RUSS HOOVER
Russ Hoover, 81, passed away Monday, July 29, 2024, after a short illness due to cancer.
He was born 1943 in Middletown.
With a degree in mechanical engineering, he managed numerous industrial plants in Ohio.
He was instrumental in the placement of the Bicentennial markers that dot the Perry County landscape, and it was his design that became the Perry County Bicentennial Plaza at the Lynn Schafer Dum Park, Elliottsburg. He served on numerous boards — Perry County Economic Development Authority, Perry County Literacy Council and the Historical Society of Perry County, where he contributed to the restoration efforts of the 1798 Clarks Ferry Tavern in Duncannon, working closely with architects to prepare plans for the interior of the building and designing the Tavern Green, and helped to acquire major government grants for the tavern restoration.
After the death of his beloved wife, Marilyn (Lynn), he returned to Central Pennsylvania in 2011 and took residence in Perry County to be near his brother, Jim Hoover; nephew, Craig (Jill) Hoover, and niece, Stacey (Mark) Butcher; great-nephews, Dylan and Mason Hoover. He also is survived by two stepdaughters, Mary Jo Anemaat of Kansas and Pam Lenz of Maine, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, was preceded in death by his parents, Harris and Dorothy Hoover, and a sister-in-law, Sandra Hoover.
Memorial services in celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Aug. 17, at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen, 159 S. Second St., Newport, with the Rev. Robyn Szoke-Coolidge officiating.
David Myers Funeral Home, Newport, is handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Clarks Ferry Tavern, P.O. Box 184, Duncannon 17020 (note Russ Hoover Memorial in memo of the check).
BETTY J. GIBBONEY
Betty J. Gibboney, 90, of Newport passed away Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Claremont Nursing and Rehabilitation, Carlisle.
She was born May 27, 1934, in Reedsville to Banks and Helen (Bonson) Sausman.
She was a member of Hope Eternal United Methodist Church, Newport, and enjoyed going to yard sales.
She was the widow of Jack I. Gibboney.
Surviving are five sons, Jack I. Gibboney Jr., Jeffrey K. Gibboney, Jan C. Gibboney Sr., Jerry B. Gibboney Sr. and Jamie D. Gibboney, all of Newport; nine grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
A service was held Aug. 1 in David Myers Funeral Home, Newport, with pastor Deborah Ryder officiating. Burial was in Newport Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Newport Ambulance League or her church.
ELIJAH E. KROUT
Elijah E. Krout, 88, of Landisburg died at his home on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
He was born in Dover, Pa., on June 30, 1936, to Rev. Charles A. Sr. and Rosa Ellen (Diehl) Krout Sr.
He attended Kennedy Valley Church of God. He was employed by American Chain and Cable Company, Ronald Crull Plastering, and 31 years as a truck driver for Consolidated Freightways, where he was better known by his handle “Pokey Pete.” He retired in 1998. He was a member of Teamsters Union Local 776 and Tuscarora Forest Property Owners Association. While trucking, he earned the Million (Safe) Mile Award. When not working, he enjoyed his family, hunting, and fishing — especially in Canada. He was a true Harry Gant NASCAR fan.
Surviving are his beloved wife of 65 years, Charlene M. (Crull) Krout; three children, Todd D. Krout (Suzi E.) of Red Lion, Daryl L. Krout of East Berlin, and Michelle L. Bixler (Jay) of York; six grandchildren, Zachary T. Krout, Levi H. Krout, Nicole L. Hutcheson, Lindzy M. Anderson, Allison M. Krout and Lily F. Rentzel; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Ruth H. Firth of York Haven; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Steven Bixler; two siblings, Charles Alvin Krout Jr. and Rosemary Destaphano; and three nephews.
A service will be held at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 9, in Nickel-Lochstampfor Family Funeral Home, Loysville, with the Rev. Dennis Bailey Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends and family from 6 to 7:30. Interment will be in Suburban Memorial Gardens, York County, on Aug. 10.
Memorial contributions may be made to his church, 4408 Valley Road, Shermans Dale 17090, or in memory of Steve Bixler to ALS Hope Foundation online at www.alshf.org/donate.
JESSE G. BROWN (Cavey)
Jesse G. Brown 55, of Blain passed away unexpectedly Sunday July 28, 2024.
He was born July 22, 1969, in Harrisburg to Jesse D. Brown and Jeannie C. Benson.
He enjoyed riding his Harley, going to the races, and spending time with his family and friends. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
David Myers Funeral Home, Newport, handled arrangements.
R. ELEANOR GUNTRUM
R. Eleanor Guntrum, 83, of Duncannon passed away on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Brookdale Grandon Farms, Mechanicsburg.
She was norn on Jan. 31, 1941, in Baltimore, Md.
She was a 1958 graduate of Susquenita High School.
She was retired as a legal secretary for Scott Cramer Law Office.
She was a member of the former Asbury United Methodist Church, Duncannon, where she was the children’s choir director, taught Sunday school, and was a member of the True-Blue Sunday School Class. She served on the Council of Ministries for the United Methodist Church and on the board of Penn Memorial Gardens. She enjoyed gardening, playing the piano, singing, art, watercolor painting and interior decorating.
She was the widow of William D. “Bill” Guntrum.
She was preceded in death by her father, Fred Noble, her mother, Helen Pauline (Shelley) Hower, and stepfather, Melvin Hower.
Surviving are a son, William Guntrum and his husband, David Satterlee, of Saint Kitts and Nevis; two daughters, Toni (Guntrum) Melchiorre of Dillsburg and Sue (Guntrum) Hnylanski and her husband, Pete, of Newport; two brothers, Chuck Hower and his wife, Teresa, of Marysville, and George Hower and his wife, Ginny, of Duncannon; a sister, Kathy Boyer and her husband, Tim, of Duncannon; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A service was held Aug. 2 in Ronald C.L. Smith Funeral Home, Duncannon.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg 17110.
GARY S. CROSSON
Gary S. Crosson, 69, of Millersburg passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at home.
He was born Feb. 26, 1955, to the late Lester and Shirley (Whitman) Crosson.
He worked as a mechanic and truck driver throughout his years of employment. In his free time, he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He could always be found in his garage where he would “tinker” with his small engines and rebuild cars. He also had a passion for antique farm equipment and attending auctions. A lover of all animals, he cherished the times with his dog Maddie, and most of all, cherished the times with his family and friends.
Surviving are his loving wife of 36 years, Vicky (Howell) Crosson; a son, Timothy Breese (wife Mary); two daughters Trudy Eperjesi (husband Eric) of Enola and Cora Crosson (fiancé Jason) of Paxtonia; a brother, Dana Crosson of Maryland; six grandchildren, Stepanie Sollers, Victoria Sassaman, Austin Fickes, Caleb Fickes, Evan Crosson and Sabrina Crosson; a great-grandson, Allen Sassaman; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Timothy Crosson and Randy Crosson; a sister, Karrie (Crosson) Shoemaker; and a grandchild, Gage Crosson.
Interment was in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
Bitner Family Funeral Homes handled arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Homeland Hospice, www.homelandhospice.org, or to Pennsylvania Game Commission, www.pgc.pa.gov.
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