Marcus G. Held Jr.

1935 - 2017

Marcus G. Held Jr., 82, formerly of Kutztown, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 4, 2017 in The Lutheran Home at Topton. His loving wife of 59 years, Barbara Ann (Focht) Held, passed away two weeks prior, on October 22, 2017. Born in Reading, PA on October 9, 1935, Marcus was the son of the late Marcus G., Sr. and Edna M. (Adams) Held. He was a 1953 graduate of Kutztown Area High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business in1958 from Pennsylvania State University, where he was a Life Member of the Alumni Association since 1958. Marcus honorably and faithfully served his country in the Air National Guard from 1958 to 1964. He was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Kutztown, serving on the Consistory as a Deacon from 1966 -1968 and Elder from 1972-1975, also serving as President of the Church Consistory from 1974 to 1975. He served on the Member Building Committee from 1969 to 1970. He was also a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Kutztown, from 2008 to 2017. Marcus was employed at the former Held’s Appliance Store, Kutztown from 1958 to 1982; Radio Electric Service Co., Allentown from 1982 to 1985 and Bieber Tourways, Kutztown, from 1989 until his retirement. From 1964 to 1965, he was the President of the Kutztown Merchants Association; 1963 to 1964 he was the Home Show Chairman and he served as president from 1972 to 1973. From 1969 to 1970 Marcus was the president of the Kutztown Jaycees and was a State Director from 1970 to 1971. In 1970, Marcus was named the Town’s Outstanding Young Man; in 1968 he was named the Jaycee of the Year; 1970, Pennsylvania Jaycees 3rd Place Eyerman Award; 1971, Kutztown Jaycee “ Key Man” and in 1971 he received the Pennsylvania Jaycees 3rd Place Morgan J. Doughton Award. In 1973 he received the J.C.I. Senatorship #15531. From 1970 to 1971, Marcus was the Regional Vice President of the Pennsylvania Jaycees and also the State Blue Chip Program Manager from 1971 to 1972. In 1967 he was the Fund Raising Chairman for the East Penn Valley Y.M.C.A. and served on the Board of Directors from 1968 to 1974. Active in the Masonic Lodge, Marcus was the Worshipful Master of Huguenot Lodge #377, F. & A.M. in 1967, Chairman of the Fund Raising Committee at Kutztown Temple Association from 1969 to 1971 and Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1973 to 1985. He was a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite-Valley of Reading since 1966 to 2001. He was a member of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine- Rajah Temple from 1980 to 2001. He was a Cub Pack #101 Committee Chairman from 1970 to 1971 and was a Cub Master from 1972 to 1978 with the Boy Scouts of America, Kutztown Chapter. He served on the Executive Committee of the Kutztown Fair Association Board from 1981 to 1984 and also was President from 1985 to 2003. From 1984 to 1988 he was the Ways and Means Co-Chairman for the Kutztown Historical Society. He was a board member of the Kutztown Pennsylvania German Festival from 1996 to 2003. Marcus joined the Kutztown Lions Club in 1976 and served as 3rd Vice President from 1980 to 1981, 1st Vice President from 1981 to 1982 and President from 1982 to 1983. He served as the Director from 2003 until 2005. Marcus had over 23 years of perfect attendance. He was a delegate to 9 State Conventions and 6 International Conventions. In 1984 he received the Key Member Award. At the District Level, in 1983-1984 he served as Zone Chairman, 1984-1986 he was the Chairman of the Delaware Valley Eye Bank, 1986 to 1987 he was the Deputy District Governor and served on the Governor’s Ball Committee. In 1987-1988, he was the White Cane Chairman. In 1988-1989 he was the District Governor- District 14-P. He received the Lions International Melvin Jones Fellowship in 1989 and the Pennsylvania Lions Foundation Fellowship in 2002. Marcus also received the following awards: Honorary Chapter Farmer – Kutztown F.F.A., 1970 and Kutztown Grange – Citizen of the Year, 1978. Marcus is survived by his three children: daughter, Pat L. (Held), wife of Jerry Yanavok, Saylorsburg; son, Bruce M., husband of Annie M. (Rostkowski) Held, Sinking Spring; and daughter, Jen C. (Held), wife of Robert R. Shick Jr., Fleetwood; six grandchildren: Jason Harrigle of Whitehall; Greg Harrigle, husband of Andrea, of Whitehall; Ryan Held, husband of Stephanie Dymek, of Camp Hill; Eric Held, of Malvern; Brett Shick, of Auburn; and Brittany Shick, of Fleetwood; five great-grandchildren: Flora, Mya, Greyson, Brynlee and Landon; and a brother, Kenneth Held, and his wife, Vicki, of Kutztown. A funeral service to celebrate Marcus’s life wa held on Friday, November10, 2017 in Saint Paul’s United Church of Christ, 47 S. Whiteoak Street, Kutztown, with Reverend John B. Davies, officiating. Military honors followed the service. A Masonic Service by Huguenot Lodge #377, F. & A.M., Kutztown, was held on Thursday evening in the funeral home. Burial will be private in Becker’s St. Peter’s Cemetery, Richmond Township. The family requests that contributions be made in Marcus’s memory to Kutztown Area Historical Society, P.O. Box 307, Kutztown, PA 19530-0307. Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., Kutztown, is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be made at www.Ludwickfh.com.