Richard A. Ferris

Richard A. Ferris, 81, of Lititz, PA went to be with his Lord and Savior, November 9, 2021. Dick was born in Costa Rica, Central America to missionary parents George I. and Betty (Luce) Ferris. Dick was the loving husband to Carol (Musser) Ferris for 22 years after Judith Ann (Kaiser) Ferris went to glory in November 1997 after 35 years of marriage. Dick was the father of one son, Richard H. (wife Fredda) and grandfather of: Michaela Ann (Ferris) Lindemuth (husband Grant), Abigail and Keturah. Dick is also survived by one brother, George I. Ferris, Jr. of Medford, NJ and predeceased by another brother, James Ferris, formerly of Seattle, WA.

Dick was co-founder and then owner of R.A. Ferris & Co., Inc., a funeral director’s cremation service in West Chester, PA. Dick earned his funeral license from Eckels College of Mortuary Science and worked for many funeral homes in Delaware County before establishing the crematory in 1974. The company continues to serve the funeral industry today.

Dick and Carol attended Grace Chapel of Havertown and most recently worshiped at Calvary Church of Lancaster. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dick’s memory to Global Ministries Fund of Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601.

A memorial service is planned for Friday, November 19 in the Calvary Church chapel. Family and friends may visit beginning at 10:00 AM, the service will be at 11:00 AM with lunch to follow. 

Stanley Andrew Szpindor

Stanley Andrew Szpindor F. D. age 84 with his loving wife, Ann by his side passed away peacefully at home on November 15, 2021.

Born in Philadelphia on Sept. 11, 1937, son of the late Stanley & Anna (Skarbek ) Szpindor. He was the loving husband of Ann ( Pead) . Loving father of Stan (Lisa) , Pottstown, PA Matthew ( Jennifer ) Patterson, NY. Predeceased by his dear daughters, Michelle Szpindor and Tanya ( Allen ) LaValley. Dear stepfather to Karen Capaldi, Andrea Ricciardi and Ian Hall (Jennifer). Devoted grandfather to Andrew , Alexandra , Zachary, Justin & Bryan Szpindor, and step-granddad to Cory, Alayna, Allyson, James, Jocelyn, Leah, Kierra and Jaxson. Surviving also is his sister Dorothy of New Britain, his twin brother Edward of GA, & Ronald of VA.

Stanley owned and operated the Szpindor Funeral Home, Trooper PA. for 40 years. He was a life member of Lower Providence Fire Company, a member of the Audubon Oaks JayCees, Eagleville Lions Club, & chairman for the Lower Providence Ambulance . He was a charter and life member of the Knights of Columbus, John Paul Council, Trooper, PA & 4th degree life member of Bridgeport , PA Council. He was a life member of the Marine Corps League , Bridgeport, PA.

Stanley graduated from Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, was a past president and member of the Holy Name Society at Visitation BVM, and faithfully served as a usher and collector at St Maria Goretti Church for 24 years.
Stanley attended American Academy McAllister Institute (AAMI) of Funeral Service in Manhattan, NY, where he earned his Funeral Director's license. Stanley was a gifted musician and played with Harrogate String Band.

Stanley was much-loved presence in the community as a patron and a volunteer and could often be found bringing a smile to people's faces at Einstein Bros Bagels. Stanley was proud of his Polish heritage and had no trouble combining that with a love of the Celtic tradition. He was a member of the Timoney Irish Dance club for over 20 years. Stanley loved to travel the world with his wife Ann and their many friends.
“Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann (We shall not see his like again)”

Family and friends are invited to his Visitation on Thursday November 18 from 6-8pm at Szpindor-Meyers Funeral Home, 101 North Park Ave, (Rt. 363 Trooper) Norristown, PA 19403 and again Friday Morning from 9-10:45 at Saint Maria Goretti Church, 1601 Derstine Rd, Hatfield, PA 19440, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. Saint Maria Goretti Church
Interment at Westminster Cemetery, 701 Belmont Ave , Bala Cynwydd PA 19004

In lieu of flowers, donation to the Michael J Fox Foundation would be appreciated by the family. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research | Parkinson's Disease (michaeljfox.org)

Condolences may be made by visiting www.meyersfh.com 

Jerre Wirt Blank

Jerre Wirt Blank, 82, of Northumberland, passed away Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, at home.

He was born Feb. 19, 1939, in Sunbury, a son of the late Robert E. Blank and Ethel M. (Wirt) Blank.

Jerre graduated as valedictorian from Sunbury High School in 1957. He attended both MIT and Bucknell University, and later graduated from the Eckels School of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia to join the family funeral home. In 1968, as fourth generation, he took over the funeral business from his mother, Ethel M. Blank, and his aunt, E. Jane (Wirt) MacDonald Wetzel. Jerre was dedicated to the business until his death and is succeeded by his son, David W. Blank, as fifth generation.

His favorite pastimes were watching baseball and football, especially the Phillies, Penn State, and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jerre was a member of Catawissa Avenue United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school in the 1970s. He was past President of the Sunbury Kiwanis Club, the John R. Kauffman Memorial Library, and the Northumberland County Historical Society. He was also a member of the Sunbury Masonic Lodge 22 F&AM.

Jerre was a devoted father and grandfather. He loved giving his "ways of the world" talk to his three children and six grandsons. His children and grandchildren cherished his wisdom and pragmatic view of life.

Surviving are his three children, David Blank and his wife Nicole, Penelope Hupp and her husband Bob, of Sunbury, and Abigail Nunn and her husband Tom, of Selinsgrove; six grandsons, Garrett Hupp, Spencer Blank, Connor Hupp, Toby Blank, Danny Nunn, and Aiden Hupp.

In addition to his parents, Jerre was predeceased by his sister, Caroll J. Blank; his aunt E. Jane Wetzel; and his former wife and mother of his three children, Harriet C. Blank.

A viewing will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, at the Jerre Wirt Blank Funeral Home, 395 State St., Sunbury. The funeral will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Interment will be in the Wolf's Lutheran Crossroads Church, Sunbury.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice in memory of Jerre. 

Samuel Teolis

A true Ellwoodian and American Patriot, Mr. Samuel Teolis, 95, of Ellwood City passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 25th, 2021 at the Northview Estates surrounded by his family.

Mr. Teolis was born on a farm in Shenango Twp. on September 25th, 1926 to the late Domenic and Flora (Innocent) Teolis. He is a graduate of Lincoln High School with the class of 1944. Sam enlisted with the U.S., Army on November 20th, 1944 and served with the 101st Infantry Replacement Company in the 3rd Army and received a bronze star for the battle of Central Europe. He then reenlisted with the Army for an extra year in November of 1945 and was transferred to the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre and served in the Occupation of Korea until his discharge in December of 1946 with the 7th Infantry Division.

In 1948 Sam became a licensed barber and owned and operated a barber shop in Wampum from 1954 to 1955. He also worked part time in various barber shops in Ellport and Ellwood City for over 30 years. He graduated in 1950 from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. In 1956, after working at funeral homes in New Castle and Ellwood City he founded the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc.. Sam was also appointed as a Deputy Coroner for Lawrence County in 1956 and served in that position until 1970 and again from 1983 until retiring from the office in 2006.

Samuel was elected to the Ellwood City School Board in 1957 and served until 1963. He was instrumental in the building of the Lincoln High School Cafeteria and giving all school employees funeral leave. In 1960 he was one of the founders of the local Red Cross Blood Bank and was a 12 gallon donor. In 1965, Sam was elected Mayor of Ellwood City and served in that position until 1970. During his time in office as mayor, he was instrumental in the founding of the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration. In 1969 he was awarded the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Ellwood City Chamber of Commerce. He also designed and raised funds for all the monuments of the war dead in Legion Park and other memorials in Ellwood City.

In 2012 he was awarded the U.S. Army Chief of Chaplains Medal of Excellence for his years of service to Veterans and their families. On April 19th, 2015 he was awarded the Blessed John of Vercelli Award by the Beaver County Holy Name Society.

Mr. Teolis is a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish, Holy Name Society, Special Activities Group, Ellwood City Wolve’s Club, American Legion Post 157, Disabled American Veterans of Lawrence County #112, the former VFW Post 252, VFW Post 8106 in New Galilee, Beaver Lawrence County Veterans Honor Guard, Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, Sons of Italy #608, Knights of Columbus, Ellwood City Historical Society, and Ellwood City MOOSE #93.

Sam will be remembered by many for leading the Cake Walk at their wedding along with his wife Anita.

He is survived by his children, David (Lisa) Teolis of Elizabeth, Dianne (Louis V.) Nocera III of Koppel, Anthony (Atsuko) Teolis of Fairfax, VA, and Samuel A. (Michele) Teolis of Perry Twp., grandchildren, Marisa (Nick) Costanzo, Louis V.(Megan) Nocera IV, Carmen (Stephanie) Teolis, Vincent Nocera, Carmella Teolis, Alec Nocera, Domenic Teolis and his fiance’ Samantha Balaj, Sam Teolis, Anthony Teolis, and Elina Teolis, great-grandchildren, Anthony Nocera, Adrianna & Juliet Costanzo, Luca, Dante, and Alexander Teolis, Louis V. “Bubba” Nocera V., and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Anita J. (Puncsak) whom he married on January 18, 1958 and passed away on October, 20, 2010, his sisters, Anna D’Amico and Jennie Lonnett, and his brothers, Father Anthony Teolis, James Teolis, Fred Teolis, Andy Teolis, and Sidney Teolis.

Visitation will be held on Sunday from 5-8 pm and on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc.. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 am at the Holy Redeemer Church with Father Mark Thomas officiating. Interment will follow at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery. Members of the Holy Redeemer Holy Name, Special Activities Group, and Ellwood City Wolves Club are asked to meet at the funeral home on Sunday by 7:45 pm to conduct a service at 7:50 pm. Members of the Veterans Honor Guard are asked to meet at the funeral home on Monday by 7:45 pm to conduct a service at 7:50 pm and again on Tuesday by 10:50 am at the Holy Redeemer Church to conduct full military honors.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Teolis’s name may be made to the Holy Redeemer Angel Fund, Ellwood City Library, Ellwood City Wolve’s Club Scholarship Fund, or The Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration.

The Teolis Family would like to extend a special thank you to everyone at Home Instead, Good Samaritan Hospice especially Brittany, and all of the staff at Northview Estates for the wonderful care they provided.