Frances M. VanMeter

Frances M. VanMeter, 74, of Gardners passed away Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, at her home. She was the widow of Melvin V. VanMeter Sr., who passed away Feb. 8, 2007. Frances was born May 27, 1938, in Cumberland, Md. to the late Perry and Catherine Wince Ritchie.

She retired from the Thornwald Nursing Home, Carlisle, and was a member of the Shephards Gate Worship Center, Newville. Frances was an avid bingo player, and loved to read and crochet.

Frances is survived by her two sons, Melvin (Pete) V. VanMeter (and his wife, Connie) of Shippensburg and Mark A. VanMeter (and his wife, Sandy) of Newville; three daughters, Ann Jumper (and husband, Roger) of Brandon, Fla., Melva Jean Bupp (and companion, Bill) of Gardners and Theresa L. Paxton of Gardners; and two granddaughters raised like daughters, Tonya S. Griffie (and husband, Randy) of Gardners and Debra A. Brough (and fiancé, David Altland) of York. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; her brother, James (Barbara) Ritchie of Spring Gap, Md.; and two sisters, Mary Jane Clayton and Erna Ritchie, both of Spring Gap, Md. She was predeceased by a son, Harold Wayne VanMeter.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 16 with the Rev. Donald Yeagle officiating at Hollinger Funeral Home & Crematory, 501 N. Baltimore Ave., Mt. Holly Springs. Interment will be in the Mt. Holly Springs Cemetery. A viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 1513 Cedar Cliff Drive, Suite 100, Camp Hill, PA 17011 or for Lung Research, C/O Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033.