November 26, 2009, Jean Hunsberger

Pennsylvania Hall of Famer Jean Hunsberger died on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009. She was 79. Jean was inducted in 1996. Won 3 women's Pennsylvania State Handicap Championship's, 1965, 1967 and 1968 --- Won 2 ATA women's Eastern Zone Singles Championship's, 1965 and 1968 --- She was runner-up 4 times in women's high singles averages --- She was runner-up 2 times in women's high handicap averages --- She tied for the overall Pennsylvania Handicap Championship in 1968 with a 98 x 100 --- Finished runner-up once in the women's Pennsylvania State Handicap Championship --- Member of 1972 All State Team --- Won many other trophies in state shoot competition --- Won 7 women's Middle Atlantic Singles Championship's --- Outstanding feminine shooter of the 1960's and 1970's. Husband Bill, who died in 1980 on the night Ronald Regan was elected president, was also a PA HOF shooter.

Newspaper Obituary: Jean Johanna Hunsberger, 79, of North Catasauqua died Thursday, November 26th in her home. She was the wife of the late William Hunsberger who died November 4, 1980. She was born August 27, 1930 in Cementon, the daughter of the late Anton and Theresa (Burritsch) Wagner. Jean worked at Cross Country Clothes for 40 years. She was a member of Young at Heart of BVM, Northampton. Jean and her husband competed in Championship Trapshooting and she was in the Pennsylvania Trapshooting Hall of Fame. Survivors: Daughter, Carol, wife of William R. Lonergan, of Hagerstown, MD.; two granddaughters, Chelsea Elizabeth and Devon Victoria; companion, John Pruzinsky Sr., of Allentown; brothers, Adolph Wagner and his wife Peggy, of Allentown, John Wagner, of Northampton; sisters, Helen Klock, of Allentown, Margaret, wife of Bruce Kelly, of Allentown; beloved black lab, Molly; and grand-dog, Lucy. Services: Monday, November 30th at 2:00 p.m. in the Reichel Funeral Home 326 E. 21st ST. Northampton. Family and friends may call Monday 1-2:00 in the funeral home. Burial will be in Allen Union Cemetery, Northampton. Contributions: Memorials may be presented to Lehigh Valley Hospice c/o funeral home.                            ....Allentown Morning Call

Alan Ray, 82, husband of Rita (Becker) Ray of Kimberton, PA, died on Thursday, October 29, 2009

Born in Phoenixville, PA, he was the son of the late N. Clyde and Alice (Sykes) Ray.

He was a graduate of Phoenixville High School, Class of 1945, and a graduate of Spring Garden Institute, Class of 1951. He served three years in the United States Coast Guard.

He was a lifetime member of the ATA and the NRA, a charter member of the Kimberton Fish and Game and a member of the West Chester Gun Club.

He attended many state and zone shoots at Elysburg and could always be found at his trailer in Campgrounds A at Elysburg. 

George Landis died on Saturday, September 12, 2009. George and the Glen Rock Shooting Club went hand in hand. He had a smile that could light up a room. He was instrumental in the induction of Glen Rock Shooting Club into the PA Trapshooting Hall of Fame. Mr. Landis started winning trophies 45 years ago and has many PA state shoot awards. He became the 8th PA shooter punched to the 27 yard line in 1968. 

Newspaper Obituary: York, PA... George E. Landis, Jr., 87, died Saturday, September 12, 2009, at Barbara J. Egan Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. He was the loving husband of the late Mary R. (Molison) Landis. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Life Tributes by Olewiler and Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 35 Gotham Place, Red Lion, with the Rev. Dr. Dennis E. Hamsher officiating. A visitation will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Longstown United Methodist Cemetery, with a flag folding provided by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. Mr. Landis was born November 1, 1921, in York, a son of the late George E. and Cora (Adair) Landis. Mr. Landis is survived by a son, George E. Landis, III and wife, Pat of York; a daughter, Sandra L. Sackett of Red Lion; three grandchildren, Kelly A. Landis, Daniel C. Sackett, and William T. Sackett; a great-grandchild, Victoria Sackett; a sister Marie Haupt of Dover; and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to York Rescue Mission, 367 W. Market St., York, PA, 17404; or Salvation Army, 50 E. King St., York, PA, 17401. 

We are saddened to announce the unexpected passing of Douglas E. Bogolea on May 15th 2009. Born on December 24, 1943 and raised in Beaver County located outside of Pittsburgh, at the time of his death he lived in Harmony Pennsylvania. Doug was an avid trap shooter and was especially proud of attaining the ATA ranking of a 27 yard shooter. In his shooting career he registered over 100,000 birds and won many awards. In his last tournament at the Pennsylvania Western Zone Shoot at Ruffsdale Pa, on May 10th, just five days before his death, Doug took home the trophy as open Vet. It was the first shoot that Doug participated in as a Vet.

Doug was a life member at Millvale Sportsman's Club. He could be found at MSC every Sunday for trap practice as well as Wednesday for the in-house league shoots. He will be sorely missed by all of his friends at MSC and in particular by his buddies from the Wednesday league who shared meals, drinks and jokes with Doug for so many years. Doug's sense of humor was unique. He rarely called his friends by their real names, instead he made up nicknames for them dubbing them "Hogmite", "Tiny Tot", "Smooth Brother", "Tupoc Schitzen", "Harry Potter" and his closest friend whom he called "Fat Bastard".

Away from the trap fields, he held the position as Service Manager at Miller and Son Chevrolet located in Aliquippa, PA. Remarkably in these times, he was a loyal employee of Miller and Sons for over 46 years. His customers held him in high regard for his honesty and commitment to customer service.

Doug is survived by his wife, Joyce, sons Bobby Verdoni and Brian Bogolea and step daughters Julie Rubright and Jackie West.

Obituary provided by Glenn Kelly

George Hempt of New Cumberland, PA passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2009. Mr. Hempt was 65. I got to know George when he became a neighbor to me in the upper camp grounds at Elysburg. His firm, Hempt Bros. Construction, constructed many miles of roads in the state as well as all the groundwork and construction for the PSSA expansion in the 1990's at the homegrounds. He was an avid trapshooter as well as a breeder and owner of race horses. He was an avid polo player, golfer, amateur driver, snowmobiling and trap shooter. George made a significant contribution to harness racing through his ownership and breeding of horses.

Newspaper Obituary: George F. Hempt, 65, of New Cumberland, passed away Friday at the Carolyn Croxton Slane Hospice House. He was born September 17, 1943 to Martha Dapp and the late Max C. Hempt.

George was President and Chairman of the Board of Hempt Bros., Inc., Chairman of the M.S. Polo Benefit; member of Central PA Sports Hall of Fame; Board Member of the Standardbreed Breeders Association, Past President of Penn National Horsemen's Association, and was dedicated to the sport of Harness Racing as both a breeder and owner of race horses. Mr. Hempt was a member of Masonic Lodge #681 F&AM, Shriners Mounted Patrol, and Jesters. He was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Camp Hill. He attended Shippensburg State College, was a member of the notorious West Shore Think Tank and Reciprocity Club. George was an avid polo player, golfer, amateur driver, snowmobiling and trap shooter.

Surviving are his wife, Judy; a son, Max J. and wife Amy of Carlisle; a daughter, Christine Murphy of Mechanicsburg; a brother, Gerald and wife Lynn of New Cumberland; 2 sisters, Marian and husband Evan Semoff of Camp Hill and Martha and husband Bill Bair of Ohio; 3 grandchildren, Ellen, George, and Samantha; 4 nephews and 1 niece.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday from Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill, with Dr. Reverend J. Stewart Hardy officiating. Private burial will be in Rolling Green Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9:30-11 a.m., Wednesday from the church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Central PA Chapter, 2040 Linglestown Road, Suite 104, Harrisburg, PA 17110. 
www.pennlive.com/obits 

Robert Frankel Sr., 68, of Walnutport, passed away March 3, 2009, in Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Judy Frankel. Judy is a long time PSSA squadder. She also in charge of PSSA RV leases and annual non lease RV spots. Bob was a life time member of Amateur Trapshooting Association, Lappawinzo Fish and Game Club, Northampton, East Bath Rod and Gun Club. In 2007, Bob was Vet RU in the Handicap Championship at the Keystone Open and also secured the Class D award in the ATA Doubles Championship at the 2007 ATA Eastern Zone Shoot at Elysburg. He also won the HAA and HOA in his class at the 2006 PA Grand. Bob also won the Class D Singles title in Ollock Singles at the 2006 PA State Shoot. 

Newspaper Obituary: Robert Big Bob Frankel Sr., 68, of Walnutport, passed away March 3, 2009, in Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Judith A. (Binder) Frankel. They celebrated their 43rd anniversary this past May. Born in Easton, he was the son of the late Anton G. Frankel and Florence (Krock) Frankel Longenbach. He was in the Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of St. Paul UCC Indianland Church. Bob worked as a supervisor at Horsehead Industries, formerly the NJ Zinc Co., Palmerton for many years before retiring in 2001. He was a life time member of Amateur Trapshooting Assoc., Lappawinzo Fish and Game Club, Northampton, East Bath Rod and Gun Club, American Legion Post #16, Slatington and the Diamond Fire Companies, Walnutport Survivors: Wife; son, Robert Frankel Jr. of Bloomsburg; brother, Joseph Frankel of Allentown; sister, Johanna Frankel of Northampton. Graveside Services: Private. Arrangements, Harding Funeral Home, 25-27 N. 2 Street, Slatington. Contributions: St. Pauls UCC Indianland Memorial Fund, c/o the funeral home. Published in the Morning Call on 3/5/2009 

Billy Giron passed away on Friday, January 9th, 2009. He was just 17 years old. He was born in Latrobe, the son of William F. Giron Jr. and the late Tamara Nagy Giron. Billy was a former student of the Hempfield Area School District and a member of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral and the ATA. He was Junior first team All State selection in 2008 and again in 2009. In 2007 Billy won the Sub-Junior HAA and Doubles title's at the Pennsylvania State Shoot and in 2006 he won the state Sub-Junior Singles title with a 196x200. Billy won major Junior awards at the 2008 Keystone Open and PA Grand and took home 8 trophies at both the 2007 and 2008 PA State Shoots. He was a great young man as well as a gifted shooter. His photo was on the November Trap & Field cover after winning the Junior Handicap, HOA and HAA titles at the 2008 Northeastern Grand in New York. He and his dad were constant helpers at shoot-offs during all of our tournaments at Elysburg.

Newspaper Obituary: William F. Giron II, 17, of Greensburg, passed away Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, at his home. He was born in Latrobe, the son of William F. Giron Jr. and the late Tamara Nagy Giron. Billy was a former student of the Hempfield Area School District and a member of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral and the ATA. He was preceded in death, besides his mother, by his grandfather, William F. Giron Sr. Surviving, in addition to his father, are his grandmother, Helen Giron, of Greensburg; sisters, Danielle Ringling, serving with the Navy, and Carrie Giron, of Pittsburgh; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. A private prayer service for his family will be celebrated, with entombment to follow in the Greensburg Catholic Cemetery. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society. Kepple-Graft Funeral Home  of Greensburg, entrusted with the arrangements. Sign William Giron II's online guestbook now.

Pete George, one of our finest trapshooters in Pennsylvania, passed away on Thursday, December 18th. Pete was 71 years old. He was a former broker for the Erie Insurance Company, retiring in 1996. He was a first team All State selection in 1994, 1980, 1979 and 1976. Pete won the state doubles title in 1978 and in 1971 he was the state singles runner-up with a 199x200. In 1990 his doubles average of .9618 was the second high in the state. In 1980 Pete won the PSSA Western Zone double title with a 96 than again two years later with a 97. He also enjoyed boating, hunting, trap shooting, and was a member of Bay City, North East, and Erie County Gun Clubs, and the Grouse Society. He also had competed in the Olympic Trials in Trap Shooting. Surviving are his beloved wife of 43 years, Dorothy C. Smith George; his mother, Perina, of Erie; two sisters in law, Mabel Gianoni, of Erie, and Doris Sutley, of Franklin; and 14 nieces and nephews.

Newspaper Obituary: Born in Erie July 5, 1937, he was the son of Perina Mangini George and the late Peter A. George. He attended Sacred Heart and Cathedral Prep and graduated from Tech High School. Peter was an insurance agent and broker for various companies, and retired as broker with Erie Insurance in 1996. He loved his Catholic religion and had completed his Cursillo. He also enjoyed boating, hunting, trap shooting, and was a member of Bay City, North East, and Erie County Gun Clubs, the Grouse Society, and the Siebenbuerger Club. He had competed in the Olympic Trials in Trap Shooting. Surviving are his beloved wife of 43 years, Dorothy C. Smith George; his mother, Perina, of Erie; two sisters in law, Mabel Gianoni, of Erie, and Doris Sutley, of Franklin; and 14 nieces and nephews. 

Calling at Brugger Home for Funerals, West 38th at Greengarden Blvd., Sunday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM. Services there Monday at 9:30 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. George Catholic Church at 10 o’clock. Burial at Laurel Hill Cemetery. 

Memorials to the Humane Society or St. George Church. 

Trapshooting champion Debbie Piaquadio passed away on December 10th, 2008 at the Lehigh Valley Hospital. She was 54. Debbie broke a 198 and finished third in Class B at the 2006 Westy Hogans. (picture) Debbie and her husband Chet celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in August. Services: Calling hours will be held on Sat. from 11am till 1pm at Weber Funeral Home, 502 Ridge Ave. Allentown. www.weberfuneralhomes.com Contributions: In lieu of flowers please send memorials in Deborah’s name to Susan G. Komen for the Cure Attn: Gift Mgmt. 5005 LBJ Freeway Ste# 250 Dallas, TX 75244 

Newspaper Obituary: Deborah Piaquadio, 54, passed away Dec.10 at Lehigh Valley Hospital Salisbury Twp. Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late Irene (Beahn) and Charles Laube. Deborah was the wife of Chester “Chet” Piaquadio; they celebrated 30 yrs. of marriage in Aug. Deborah was employed by Dun & Bradstreet as a collector for the past eight yrs. She was a Life Member & Treasurer at North End Rod & Gun Club. She was also an ATA Trap Shoot member. Survivors: Husband; son, Robert Weighknecht and wife Jennifer of Macungie; granddaughter, Jamie; brothers Richard and Ronald Laube; sister, Linda Milkovits; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by sister Marianne Sago. Services: Calling hours will be held on Sat. from 11am till 1pm at Weber Funeral Home, 502 Ridge Ave. Allentown. Contributions: In lieu of flowers please send memorials in Deborah’s name to Susan G. Komen for the Cure Attn: Gift Mgmt. 5005 LBJ Freeway Ste# 250 Dallas, TX 75244 

Everyone knew Jim Burk. He was a member of the PA Hall of Fame committee, loved guns and trapshooting and his wife of 57 years Donna. Jim was known by thousands in the world of Antiques, promoting shows in and around York, PA. His love for his wife, his dog, antiques and trapshooting were legend. He also promoted and ran trapshooting classes for Hall of Famer Frank Hoppe in Lancaster County. Jim Burk will be missed by all of his trapshooting friends.

Newspaper Obituary: James Robert "Jim" Burk, Sr., 78, of Washington Boro, entered into rest on Sunday, August 3, 2008 at the Essa Flory Hospice Center, Lancaster.

Born September 8, 1929, in Peach Bottom, he was the son of the late Edward L. and Lula (Drake) Burk. He was married to Donna M. (Stermer) Burk on April 12, 1953.

Mr. Burk was a nationally known antique show promoter and dealer. He managed the Greater York Antique Show and Sale for 38 years plus other shows at various locations. He was a member of the ATA (Amateur Trapshooting Association), NRA, various sportsmen clubs, and an avid big game hunter.

He is survived by his wife, Donna, of Washington Boro; two sons, James R. Burk, Jr., husband of Flo, of Lancaster, Jeffrey L. Burk, husband of Tracy, of Lancaster; a daughter, Tamara Burk Gebhart, wife of David C. Gebhart, Jr. of Lancaster; six grandchildren; a great granddaughter; three brothers, Edward Burk, Jr., Donald Burk, Richard Burk; and two sisters, Janet West and Audrey Henry. He was preceded in death by a brother, William and a grandson, Brent Burk.

Funeral Services will be held at the Andrew T. Scheid Funeral Home, 320 Blue Rock Road, Route 999, Millersville, PA, (717)-872-2266 on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 2 PM. Private Interment will be in St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery, Felton, PA. Friends may view and visit with the family at Scheid's between 11 AM and 2 PM on Wednesday. Please omit flowers. Memorial Remembrances can be made in Jim's memory to Hospice of Lancaster County.  

Thomas Edward Dunigan, formally of Langhorne, PA, died on January 19, 2008 at the age of 99. 

Mr. Dunigan had been president of the old Roxborough Gun Club. The club was forced to close in the 1990's by the city of Philadelphia. He was a past high chief of the Atlantic Indians.

During his career, the ATA life member registered 107,800 singles, 26,050 handicap and 8,350 doubles targets.

Ed donated many items of the late Mary Christopher to the PA Hall of Fame. He also donated many high value silver trophies and medals that once belonged to Steve Crothers to the ATA Hall of Fame. He shot with Crothers and Mary Christopher for years. 

Howard was the husband of PA Hall of Famer Catherine Moyer. He lived in Collegeville, PA. Howard could be seen at all the PSSA shoots and shot large amounts of targets. His trophy list was long. 

C. K. Miller passed away on November 28, 2007. He was 94 years old. Miller was an avid trapshooter and shot ATA registered targets in and around Berks County, PA. Also participated in many state shoots and was a top class shooter.

Newspaper Obituary: C. Kenneth Miller, 94, Boyertown, died Nov. 28, 2007, in Reading Hospital, where he had been a patient since Nov. 22. He was predeceased by his wife, Mahretta V. (Darrah) Miller, on June 5, 1998. 

Born in Boyertown on Oct. 23, 1913, he was a son of the late Charles and Viola (Frey) Miller. He worked as an electrician and electrical troubleshooter, last working at Fromm Electric, Reading, as a sales and layout man for 12 years, retiring in 1980. Kenneth served 21 years with the Pennsylvania Fish Commission and 22 years with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. 

He was a life member of the National Rifle Association, Boyertown Rod & Gun Club, South End Gun Club, Fraternal Order of Orioles, Boyertown; Brooks Hills Hunting Lodge, Morris; Friendship Hook & Ladder Fire Company, Boyertown; and Oley Fire Company. He was a member of POS of A Lodge 104, Boyertown; and Pikeville Sportsmen’s Association. He is survived by a daughter, Alanna J., wife of Melvin R. Schucker, Shillington. 

Other survivors include four grandchildren: Donald C. Miller, Lisa J. Nellius, Vicki L. Weiler and Michele R. Kleinspehn; and two great-granddaughters, Chelsea Miller and Courtney Fichthorn. He was also predeceased by two sons, Donald C. Miller, in 1967, and C. Kenneth Miller Jr., in 1984; and a great-grandson, Chad R. Miller, on July 10, 2007. Memorial services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Linwood W. Ott Funeral Home Inc., 111 N. Reading Ave., Boyertown, with the Rev. Eugene C. Zaiser, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Bechtelsville, officiating.

Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Boyertown. Relatives and friends will be received Tuesday between 10 and 11 a.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Chad R. Miller Memorial Fund, 209 Water St., Boyertown, PA 19512.

November 4, 2007, Dennis Spancake

Dennis Spancake passed away last evening (Sunday night, Nov. 4, 2007) completely unexpectedly. I don't know any other details as I just received the phone call about 30 minutes ago  and there really is no further information available at this time. I will let you know of further details when they become available.

PA has lost a tremendous supporter of trapshooting and I and many others have lost a dear friend. Denny carried the message of PA trapshooting all over the East Coast and his positive personality and non-assuming manner earned him respect and friendships nationwide. We are going to miss him dearly and our hearts go out to Dot and the rest of Dennis' family.

     He was a 1956 graduate of Pine Grove High School and graduated from Millersville University with a bachelor of science degree in industrial arts. He was an industrial arts teacher for 31 years at Lehighton High School and East Juniata High School, retiring in 1991. In 1965, he started Spancake Studios, RR2 McAlisterville, retiring from there in 1996. Dennis was an avid outdoorsman who loved trap shooting, fishing and photography, but his greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

     In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Kim Kline and her husband Carl of Mount Olive, N.C., Roy Spancake and his wife Christina of Mechanicsburg and Greg Spancake and his wife Aldina of RR2 McAlisterville; one sister, Nancy Desmarias of New Hampshire; and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Jane Aungst. A viewing will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday, with the family present from 7 to 9 and a Masonic service at 8:45 by his fellow lodge members, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the Brown Funeral Home Inc., 16 Westfall St., McAlisterville, where the funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday. Interment will be private and held at the convenience of the family.

     The family will provide funeral flowers and kindly asks that memorial contributions be made in his memory to the Lost Creek Community Park, P.O. Box 37, McAlisterville, PA 17049, or the Pennsylvania State Trapshooting Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 327, Elysburg, PA 17824.

All American: (3)

• 2005

• 2006

• 2007

PA All State: (6)

• 1999 Men’s Team

• 2000 Men’s Team

• 2002 Men’s Team

• 2005 Vet Team

• 2006 Vet Team

• 2007 Vet Team

Dennis broke 200x200 at PA State Shoot twice:

• 2000: Tied for Class AA Singles in PA Class Championships, finished without trophy.

• 2003: Tied for PA State Championship, finished with RU Class AA award.

Grand American:

• 1992: Runner-up, Class A in Doubles Class Championship.

• 1997: Runner-up, Class AA in Clay Target Championship.

This past year Dennis won 6 trophies at Elysburg including:

• Vet Singles Championship at the Westy Hogans. 

• Vet Singles Class Championship at the Westy Hogans. 

Bud Garman of Elizabethtown passed away at the age of 91 on Thursday, January 4, 2007. Bud became one of Pennsylvania's all time great vet and senior vet shooters. He won his first GAH trophy back in 1972 and than collected ten more in his historic career. His career year was 1988 when he collected 5 Grand trophies and was named the Pennsylvania Trapshooter of the Year, the first year it was awarded. He was honored on 8 ATA All American Teams, serving as Captain once and 10 All State Teams. Competing against the legendary David George in the Vet and Sr. Vet categories, he more than held his own. Like his contemporary David George, he was a friend of all trapshooters and a true sportsmen-gentleman. Additionally, he was an avid hunter and fisherman and also had his pilot's license. He was married 69 years to his wonderful wife Romaine. She traveled with him to all the major shoots.

Newspaper Obituary: Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Isaac and Emma Olweiler Garman.
He was the husband of Romaine G. Lamison Garman. They were married for 69 years on December 24, 2006.
Mr. Garman was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Elizabethtown for over 50 years, where he formerly served as a trustee.

Retiring in 1980, he was the owner/operator of Garman Welding in Elizabethtown. He was a member of the PA State Trap Shooting Association and was an All American with the Amateur Trap Shooting Association. Mr. Garman was also a 50 year member of Abraham C. Treichler Lodge #682, F&AM, Elizabethtown, and was a member of the Conewago Rod and Gun Club. Additionally, he was an avid hunter and fisherman and also had his pilot's license.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Ober and a brother, Albert Garman. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Robert C., married to Michele Garman, Richmond, VA.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2007 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 398 Spruce Street, Elizabethtown at 11 a.m. There will be no viewing. The family will receive friends on Saturday at the church from 10 a.m., until the time of service.

Published in the Patriot-News on 1/5/2007.

Richard A. "Dick" Baldwin, 69, of Danbury, died on Wednesday October 11, 2006. He was born in Danbury on January 13, 1937, to the late Helen and Clifford G. Baldwin.

He graduated from Danbury High School in 1955.

Dick was a life-long Danbury resident. He was an avid hunter and competitive trapshooter for 57 years. Dick was director of the National Trapshooting Hall of Fame located in Vandalia, Ohio. He worked for Remington Arms Company in Bridgeport as a professional shooter and advertising manager for 27 years. He is a member of the Eastern United States Trapshooting Hall of Fame and Connecticut Trapshooting Hall of Fame. He wrote numerous hunting and trapshooting articles for national publications. He wrote a book of historic trapshooting stories and co-authored a book with two other Remington pros on trapshooting.

He loved to hunt ruffed grouse and woodcock in Connecticut and his home in Chenango County, N.Y. with his family and friends. He also hunted deer, pheasant and duck all over the country. When he wasn't hunting, fishing or shooting, he was either telling stories or watching his beloved Yankees. During his career at Remington, he befriended many Yankee ball players who made ads for Remington and shared his passion for hunting. A high point in his life occurred when he was invited to spend a game in the Yankee dugout, where he sat wedged between Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle.

Dick lived life to the fullest and died with no regrets. He was a dedicated father, husband, and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Sally K. Baldwin; his daughters: Susan B. Sturdevant of Danbury and Sara B. Palmer of New Fairfield; his grandchildren: Rachel T. Sturdevant, Garrett B. Palmer and Grant E. Palmer; son-in-law, Todd Palmer; step-sons: Max T. Stein of Boulder, Colo. and Alex T. Stein of Danbury; numerous cousins, in-laws, and his faithful bird dog, Pie.

November 15, 2005, Joe Notopoulos

Two time Pennsylvania All State Team member Joe Notopoulos of York, PA died on November 15th, 2005. He was on the Vet Team in 1999 and the Senior Vet Team in 2004. He was 72. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, and was a member of the ATA, the NRA, the Glen Rock Shooting Club, the Starview and Carlisle Gun Clubs, and the York and Adams County Gun Clubs. Joe won the Vet Doubles title at the 1999 PA Grand, the Preliminary Vet Doubles crown at the 2000 Northeastern Grand, was runner-up Vet at the 2002 Eastern Zone shoot in NY. He won the Senior Vet singles title at the 2004 Westy Hogans with a 198.

October 21, 2005, Orval Lewis

Orval S. Lewis, 78, of Greensburg, died Friday, Oct. 21, 2005, at home. Orval won the 2003 PA Handicap Championship breaking a 99 and 25 straight in a shootoff with Jeff Yoder. He was born Jan. 29, 1927, in Wegley, a son of the late Emma Gongaware Lewis. He was a retired millwright with over 40 years of service, having retired from U.S. Steel, Edgar Thomson Works, Braddock. He was a World War II veteran, having served with the U.S. Army in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre of Operations, and was a member of American Legion Post 492, Manor. He was a member of the Irwin, Herminie and Ruffsdale Sportsmen's Clubs.

 October 19, 2005, Danny Zenzel

Danny Zenzel, Millville, PA, winner of many trapshooting awards including All State Vet selections in 2005 and 2004 died Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005. This past June he won the AA Singles runner-up award in the state Singles Championship with a 199. In 1993 he broke 200 to win the Class A title in the Clay Target Championship at the Grand American. In 2002 he was the Vet Singles Champion at the Keystone Open. Danny also won the Open Vet Singles title at the 2002 NY State Shoot. In 1999 at NY he won the Open Singles title with 199. His wife Phyllis is a PSSA cashier.

Zenzel Sr., 68, of Millville, died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005, in the woods near the family hunting cabin along Route 118. Born March 15, 1937, in Berwick, he was the son of the late Michael and Mary (Jurbala) Zenzel.

He attended Berwick Schools and was a member of Holy Annunciation Orthodox Church.

For 17 years, he worked in the buildings and grounds maintenance department of Berwick Weaving. Mr. Zenzel was an independent truck driver for five years and recently worked for Pennsylvania Aluminum in Berwick. He was also the founder of Keystone Target Company in Danville.

Among his interests were hunting and trapshooting, for which he received numerous awards over the past 33 years. He was president of the Claybuster 300 Trapshoot for the past 13 years.

Surviving is his wife of 47 years, the former Phyllis Boone; a daughter, Annemarie Carl of Bloomsburg; two sons: Daniel and his wife Cindy Zenzel, of Perkasie; David and his wife Sueann Zenzel, of Stillwater; three grandchildren: Daniel Zenzel III of Lancaster; Christopher Zenzel of Perkasie, and Alexis Carl of Bloomsburg; one sister, Mary Miholick of Berwick; and two brothers: Michael Zenzel Jr. of Bloomsburg and Frank Zenzel Sr. of Berwick.

A visitation will be held Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005, from 9 a.m. until the time of services at noon from the Mayo Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Chestnut St., Berwick, with the Rev. James P. Weremedic, his pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Holy Annunciation Church Cemetery in Berwick.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Orangeville Sportsman's Club, Savage Hill, Orangeville, PA 17859 to fund sporting activities for youth.

October 7, 2005, Clyde Smith

Clyde Smith of Guys Mills, Pennsylvania passed away on October 7, 2005 in Meadville Hospital. He was the husband of the late Cathie W. Smith who passed away on December 15, 2003. Until recently illness has kept him from competing but he came to the local shoots for the fellowship. Clyde was a member of Konne-Yaut Indians Trapshooting Association, Bradford Gun Club, Saegertown Sportsmen's Club, Erie Crawford League, Lake and Valley League and PPG (Pittsburgh Plate Glass) trap team. He won various trophies in these leagues over his shooting career. Clyde will be missed by all who knew him.

June 22, 2005, Melvin Krepps

Melvin Krepps, 77 of Freedom, Pennsylvania passed away Wednesday, June 22 after a brief illness. Mel won 14 senior vet trophies at last years state shoot but was too ill to come to Elysburg this past week. He was Captain of the 2005 PSSA State Sr. Vet Team and also a member of the 2005 ATA Sr. Vet All American Team. He was a life member of the ATA for 43 years and on July 4, 1977 at the North Side Sportsmen’s Club in Warrendale, Pennsylvania he became the 17th person to break 100 straight from the 27 yard line and the first person East of the Mississippi to run 100 straight from 27 yards. On June 15, 1988 Mel became the sixty first shooter to complete trapshooting's "Grand Slam."

Mel shot 92,500 singles, 66,750 handicap and 44,650 registered targets during his long career.  He was selected to 14 Pennsylvania All State Teams including eight men's first team selections, five veteran and one senior veteran. He was named captain five times. He was also selected to five All American teams, including four first team Vet selections and one Senior Vet first team selection. In 1999 he won the Senior Vet Clay Target title at the Grand and was the Vet HAA in 1994. Mel was on the winning Pennsylvania State Team champions in 1966. In 1971 he finished Class AA champion in the CTC with 200x200 and won the Zone Champion/Champion on the same targets. In 1966 and 1972 he won the state HAA title and won the state HOA in 1966. He finished runner-up in the 1988 Pennsylvania Singles Championship. Krepps also won the ATA Eastern Zone Singles title at Elysburg in 1971 and the HAA award in 1967. He was inducted into the Pennsylvania Trapshooting HOF in 1992. 

December 13, 2004, Leo Darroch

Leo K. Darroch, 78, of Hopewell Township, passed away on Monday, Dec. 13, 2004, in The Medical Center, Beaver, Pennsylvania. Mr. Darroch amassed 167,550 registered targets during his long trapshooting career including 85,100 singles and 66,450 handicap targets. He was a three time Vet All State Team member, from 1994 to 1996.Mr. Darroch was a member of the Aliquippa Bucktails, the first parish council of Our Lady of Fatima, Chevrolet-Legion of Leaders, Knights of Columbus, Millvale Sportsman's Club, National Rifle Association and the Amateur Trapshooting Asso. He is survived by two daughters, Claudia and Dorothy and a son, Kenneth. In addition to his parents, Leo was preceded in death by his loving wife of 49 years, Millicent Darroch; two brothers, Thomas A. Darroch and James J. Darroch, and two sisters, Mildred Cecconi and Kathleen Salvati. Among his many state and local titles won by Darroch was the Elysburg Handicap Sr. Vet title at the 2003 PA State Shoot.

March 27, 2004, David George

David George, a member of the ATA, PA and NY Halls of Fame died on March 27, 2004 at his home at the Silver Dollar in Florida. Twelve-time All-American David George began his shooting career in 1958. During his 33-year career, George shot at 224,950 singles, 112,150 handicap and 117,650 doubles targets. He had a 98% singles average nine times, posted 100x100 in doubles and 33 200x200 singles. His final perfect doubles score and his last two 200s in singles were in 1996, his last full year of registered competition, at age 78. He once missed his 100th handicap target from the 27 yard line which deprived him of his Grand Slam. 

December 21, 2003, Willard Feinour

Willard Feinour of Allentown, PA has passed away recently. Back in 1956 he was the Class D Doubles Champion at the Grand American. That same year he placed third in Class D in the Clay Target Championship. In 1985 he was the state runner-up in the Pennsylvania Handicap Championship. He shot at 224,450 ATA targets including 101,100 singles. 

December 15, 2003, Cathie Smith

Cathie Smith of Guys Mills, Pennsylvania passed away on December 15, 2003. She is survived by her husband Clyde Smith. She was one of the top women's trapshooters in the history of the PSSA and was buried on December 17th.

Cathie earned her way on 15 All State Teams, her last coming in 2001. She was one of a select few women who have tied for a major state title when she tied Emilie Peters and L. M. Hamilton for the state Handicap crown back in 1984 with a 97x100 and finished as the ladies champion. She also won the ladies Handicap title the following year. Cathie won the women's HAA title in 1985 and won two state women's Doubles titles, in 1977 and 1984 and was runner-up in 1988.

She shot 1300 targets last year and 142,400 lifetime targets. 

December 14, 2003, Bill Warburton

Bill Warburton, longtime PA trapshooter and for years a mechanic at the PSSA home grounds in Elysburg, passed away December 14, 2003 after a courageous battle with cancer.

The viewing will be held at the Shaw Funeral Home on North Front Street in Milton, PA  from 7:00 - 9:00 pm on Wednesday, December 17.  Funeral will be from the funeral home on Thursday the 18th at 1:00.

Those interested in attending either should note that Front Street is a one-way street South.  Coming in from the South you will come up Arch Street and make a left on 2nd Street and go one block to Front.  Shaw's is just off of that intersection.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations in Bill's memory be made to the American Red Cross, Northeastern PA Region, 29 New Commerce Blvd., Ashley, PA  18706.  (Please note that his name was actually Jon W. Warburton although everybody called him Bill)

May 22, 2003, Herb Jones

H. C. Jones (1916-2003) of Fawn Grove, PA dies in Florida on May 22, 2003. He was born on August 15, 1916. He attended over 50 Grand American Tournaments and over 50 Pennsylvania State Shoots. When he called for a target it would set off traps all down the line. He had his own trapshooting clothing business. Elected to the Pennsylvania Trapshooting Hall of Fame in 1990 --- Elected to 9 All American Teams, included captain of the veteran's team in 1984 --- Named to 9 Pennsylvania All State Teams --- Won the 1969 West Hogans Singles title --- Winner of three Class AA titles during the Pennsylvania Class Championships, twice with 200 straight --- Won the 1948 ATA Eastern Division (Zone) Handicap Championship, the 1963 Singles title and the 1966 HAA title --- Won the 1982 Veteran's Clay Target Championship at the Grand American.

February 27, 2003, Harry Steinback

Harry Steinback of Doylestown PA was killed yesterday when his single engine plane crashed in foul weather while he was en route to a hunting trip. Recently retired from his business in Doylestown, he was wintering at the Silver Dollar Gun Club, where he was flying from when the accident occurred. Both Harry and his wife Sally were regular competitors at the "Grand" as well as many other major shoots including the PA state shoot.

Newspaper Report: Pilot killed in plane crash in Screven County (The Associated Press)
A single-engine plane clipped a cable television tower and crashed Wednesday in Screven County, killing a 72-year-old Pennsylvania man, authorities said. Fog and cloudy weather conditions may have contributed to the crash, Sheriff Mike Kyle said. Kyle identified the victim Thursday as Harry Steinbach of Doylestown, Pa. The Piper aircraft clipped the tower and crashed just after noon just south of Sylvania, which is about 60 miles northwest of Savannah. Kyle said the plane took off from central Florida and that Steinbach was headed somewhere in South Carolina for a hunting trip.

February 22, 2003,  Donald Haldeman

Don Haldeman passed away on February 22, 2003. He was 55. He won the Olympic Gold Medal in 1976 at the Montreal Olympics. On June 17th, 1994 he was awarded the special Achievement Award by the Pennsylvania Trapshooting Hall of Fame. At that time he donated some of his personal Olympic memorabilia to the PA HoF, including the vest he used when he won the Gold Medal along with his Olympic credentials. 

In 1976, Donald Haldeman of Souderton, Pennsylvania became the second shooter from the United States to win an Olympic Gold medal in Trapshooting. On July 20, 1976, in Montreal, Haldeman completed his three day program with a score of 190 X 200, beating Marques Armando Silva of Portugal and Ubaldesc Baldi of Italy by one target. He joins Mark Arie as the only two Americans to win this most prestigious championship. Arie won his medal in 1920.

            Wind, background and extra hard targets were given as the reason why scores were not higher in the event. "The targets were very hard; you had to hit them right in the middle to break them." said Haldeman when interviewed after the event. Haldeman broke 72x75 on the first day, 71x75 the second day and 47x50 on the third day to win the title by one target.

February 19, 2003, Mahlon Schwar

Mahlon Schwar of Emmaus, PA passed away on February 18, 2003 at the age of 99. He was inducted into the Pennsylvania Trapshooting Hall of Fame in June of 1989. He was born on September 17, 1903 and was seven months away from his 100th birthday. He is one of 17 shooters this writer has had the honor to be a presenter at the HOF ceremonies. He is currently 17th on the all time ATA list of lifetime singles targets and third in Pennsylvania, having registered 334,800 targets. At one time, he was second in the entire ATA. He used a Winchester Model 12 for all of his targets.

Mr. Schwar would go to shoots and reload his shells from the back of his old green Packard. Once, in 1957, he and his great friend, Bill Savage of Doylestown, pulled the only shooter sit down strike at the PA State Shoot in a dispute over legal targets. Management would not adjust a trap they were about to shoot on so they staked out a place on the trap line with their chairs and proceeded to stay on their chairs until management made the corrections. (note: the targets were found to be indeed illegal.) Before each shoot he would take a sand paper pad out to the traphouse and sand the rubber on the arms of the trap.

One of the great trapshooting personalities in state history, he registered his first targets in 1938 and retired in 1982 due to an shoulder injury after falling off of a ladder at his home. He was self employed, maintaining and installing gasoline pumps at service stations. 

January 17, 2003, Harry Wellings

Harry Wellings could always be seen at the PA State Shoot in his small trailer he parked near the entrance to the RV area behind the Valley Gun Club. Winner of many vet and senior vet awards, Wellings died on Friday, January 17.

One time this writer was selling HOF raffle tickets when Mr. Wellings passed the table. I asked him if he would buy some raffle tickets. His reply was "I Don't give to trapshooting, I only take from trapshooting." I still laugh to myself at that answer. Of course, Harry purchased several tickets, but I never asked him again. He will be missed. 

August 27, 2001, Rudy Etchen  

Rudy Etchen, a Trapshooting legend  passed away on Monday, August 27th, 2001. Rudy and his father Fred Etchen are both members of the Trapshooting Hall of Fame in Vandalia. In the short time he lived in Pennsylvania in the early 1960s, he won 8 major Pennsylvania championships. He won the Doubles and the HAA in 1960, 1962 and 1964 and the HOA in 1962 and 1964. His son Joel is a former PA Doubles champion, winning with a 99 in 1991. His grand-daughter Rebecca (Joel's daughter) is a former all state selection and won the Women's Vandalia Handicap in 1997.
More on the Etchen's of Pennsylvania

November 9, 2000, Lee Kemp

Lee Kemp of Topton, PA died in Allentown on November 9, 2000. He was 66 years old. Lee was an outstanding shooter in Eastern Pennsylvania, particularly in the Lehigh Valley and Berks County trap leagues, winning many top gun awards in both. A 27 yard ATA shooter, Lee won awards at the Pennsylvania State Shoot as well as many other shoots around Pennsylvania. He was a Korean war vet.

May 8, 2000, Nick Minniti

Nick Minniti of West Chester, PA passed away on May 8, 2000. He had been fighting cancer for several years. More information will be added when it becomes available to this site. 

March 2, 2000, Tony Mariano

Tony Mariano of West Chester, Pennsylvania died on March 2, 2000. He was the husband of Jean Mariano. Jean is on the PSSA Advisory Board and a many time Pennsylvania Women's All State Team member. For several years Tony was in charge of the large vendors row at the Pennsylvania State Shoot. He was also an expert golf club maker, often donating his sought after golf clubs to the PSSA Hall of Fame ticket drawings. Tony also donated his clubs to the silent auction of the ATA Hall of Fame, held each year during the Grand American.

January 10, 2000, Sam Boyd

It is with deep sorrow that we learn of the death of Sam Boyd of Oxford, PA. Sam was a 1991 ATA First Team Vet All American and a former winner of the Pennsylvania State Vet Singles Championship, winning the title in 1990 with a 197x200. Sam was also a past Grand American trophy winner, placing 3rd in the Vet Class in the 1989 Budweiser Handicap. In 1990 he placed second in the Vet Class in the Singles Class Championship with a 199x200 and perhaps his greatest win was the Vet Champion/Champions Singles title with a 100x100 that same year.

November 19, 1999, Barbara Kline

We have been notified of the death of Barbara Kline of Allentown, PA. Everyone knew Barbara. She worked the windows for the PSSA for years and was co-owner of Wildlife Den along with her husband Freeman Kline. She was just 60 years old. They had two wonderful children, Cheryl and Gary. Barbara worked for the Parkland School District.

webmasters note: I attended her viewing on Monday, November 22 and waited in line for one hour and 20 minutes.

April 9, 1999, Thomas R. Andress

We have been informed of the death of Thomas R. Andress of Hilltown Township, PA. He died on April 9, 1999 at his home. He was 67. Tom was an avid eastern Pennsylvania trapshooter, hunter and fisherman. He was on the Board of Directors of the Branch Valley Fish and Game Association. He was also a member of the ATA and the NRA.

April 9, 1999, Billy George

We have been informed of the death of Billy George, the last living son of Peggy and David George. Billy died on April 9th of complications from colon cancer, which he had been fighting for the last 18 months. David and Peggy also lost their other two sons. Our prayers go out to the George family on this tragic loss. The PSSA and all the shooters from Pennsylvania offer their condolences to Pennsylvania Hall of Fame member Dave George and his wife Peggy on the loss of his son Billy. Mr. George is also a New York Hall of Fame inductee and perhaps the greatest vet and senior vet shooter of all time. He is now retired from active trapshooting and living in Hawley, PA.

Webmasters Note: I attended the funeral of Billy George on Saturday, April 18. He leaves a wife and two children. The funeral was held in the Methodist Church in Hawley and was packed to capacity plus many standing in the back of the church. I visited with David and Peggy George after the funeral and they seemed to be in good spirits. We shared many stories about his shooting and hunting experiences. Billy was a fine junior shooter, winning major junior titles at the Grand American.

January 28, 1999, Howard Lewis

We have been informed of the death of Howard Lewis, winner of five major Pennsylvania State Championships, including 3 singles titles and 2 HOA titles. He told me several years ago that he participated in 50 consecutive Pennsylvania State Shoots. He will be remembered as a master farmer and a legendary trapshooter. He died on December 15th, 1998 at the age of 86. His interests included playing baseball, boxing, motorcycle riding and figure skating. He set the standard for growing sweet corn. He farmed for over 70 years and always harvested his corn by hand and his farm became an institution in his area for young people who supplied to labor to pick the corn. I visited his farm on one occasion and was amazed at the quality of his soil and his farming operation. He will be missed.

October 10, 1998, Chester Snarski

We have been informed of the death of Chester "Chet" Snarski of Erie, PA. Mr. Snarski was 86 years old and died on October 10, 1998. He shot trap a week before his death. He has an array of top level awards to his credit, including the Sr. Vet title in the Richard Conner Handicap at this years Grand American. Just prior to this years GAH he shot his 100,000th ATA singles target.

July 28, 1998, George Curran

We have received word of the death of George Curran, the current PSSA secretary. George was also the shootoff announcer at the Pennsylvania State Shoot and the Grand American. George was a former New Jersey State ATA Delegate. 

July 28, 1998, Alan Roberts

We have learned of the death of Alan Roberts of Dallas, PA. He was an 8 time Pennsylvania All State Team member. He won the State Singles title in 1980. In 1978 he won the State HAA and HOA titles.