Rudolf M. Wertime

1912 - 2007

Rudolf M. Wertime of Greencastle died Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, at home. He was born in Ohio County, W.V., on May 25, 1912, the son of Rudolf and Flora Montgomery Wertime.

Mr. Wertime was an 84-year member of the Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring, Chambersburg, and actively served many years as ordained elder and deacon, and President of the Board of Trustees as well as Sunday school teacher.

Mr. Wertime received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Haverford College and his LLB degree from Dickinson School of Law. On Oct. 12, 1936, Mr. Wertime was sworn in as a member of the Franklin County Common Pleas Court. With the exception of military service in the U.S. Army from January 1943 through August 1946, Mr. Wertime practiced law in Greencastle and Chambersburg for 65 years.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Phyllis Carrington Wertime, and five children, Robert, Timothy, David, Rebecca of Pennsylvania, and Mary Beth and husband S. Tjip Walker of Virginia; grandchildren, Eliot and Hannah Walker; one sister, Selma Thomson; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Theodore Wertime and Joseph Wertime and two sisters, Mary Katherine Wehausen and Clara Gilmer.

Mr. Wertime was a founding member of the Chambersburg Community Chest (now United Way) and Chambersburg Community Concert Association. He actively served in many different capacities in Greencastle and surrounding communities.

From 1969 to 1972, he was President of the Franklin County Bar Association, during which time he was Director of the Indigent Aid Program (now Chambersburg Legal Aid).

Mr. Wertime was also past president of the Chambersburg High School Alumni Association and a 50-year member of the Franklin County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, 10 of which he served as president.

He chaired the Conococheague District of the Keystone Area Boy Scout Council, receiving the Order of Merit for his service. Mr. Wertime enjoyed providing pro-bono work, through which he helped to save the historic Martins Mill Covered Bridge in Antrim Township.

He shared a deep love of music with his family and community that will be remembered for generations to come.

A memorial service will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the sanctuary of the Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring with the Rev. Myrtle McCall officiating. The family will receive friends following the service on Saturday. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made to the following organizations representing Mr. Wertime's interests and active community service: American Cancer Society, Franklin and Fulton Unit, 384 Floral Ave., Chambersburg, PA 17201; Mercersburg Area Community Chorus – Richard Rotz Endowment Fund, 122 South Main St., Mercersburg, PA 17236; or Rescue Hose Company No. 1, 842 S. Washington St., Greencastle, PA 17225. Arrangements were handled by the Harold M. Zimmerman And Son Funeral Home Inc., Greencastle, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.zimmermanfh.com