Willard Hershberger

Willard Hershberger, 90, of Route 6, Union City, Pa., passed into eternity at Hernando Pasco Hospice in Dade City, Fla., on Saturday, January 16, 2010, following a stroke at his winter home in Zephyrhills, Fla. Mr. Hershberger was born July 20, 1919, in Milford, Neb., a son of the late Ammon A. and Lydia Gascho Hershberger. He moved to the Beaverdam area during the dust bowl years and found work with Ivan Miller Potato Farm. Mr. Hershberger married Dorothy Lorraine (Bennett) on March 13, 1945. During World War II, he did alternative service with the Civilian Public Service (CPS) and worked as an attendant in a mental hospital in Farnhurst, Del. His work, along with other Mennonite men, led to long range reform programs in the mental health system. Willard was a self employed truck driver until his retirement. Following his retirement, he was employed by Troyer Potato Products and also by the Corry Area School District. Mr. Hershberger was an active and faithful member of the Beaverdam Mennonite Church for over 70 years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved first wife, Dorothy, to whom he was married for 32 years.He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Arlene Reynolds, Esther Roth and Ruth Troyer; and by a brother, Clyde Hershberger. Mr. Hershberger was remarried on October 7, 1978, to Marilyn (Harris McQueeney) Hershberger. Willard and Marilyn made their home east of Union City. Also surviving are two sons, Terrance (Marlene) Hershberger, of Union City, and Timothy (Denise) Hershberger, of Waterford; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; five step-childen, Cathy (Ed) Varish, of Union City, Gary (Denise) McQueeney, of Erie, Larry (Peggy) McQueeney, of Georgetown, Texas, Sharon (Terry) Crandall, of Corry, and Karen (Merlin) Proper, of Zephyrhills, Fla.; eight step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Bracken Funeral Home, 315 N. Center Street, Corry, Pa., on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the Beaverdam Mennonite Church on Friday at 11 a.m. with Rev. Jay Conn officiating. Burial will be made in Lawn Cemetery, Beaverdam, Pa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Beaverdam Mennonite Church, 17721 Rt 89, Corry, PA 16407, Compassionate Home Care, 46047 County Line Road, Corry, PA l6407 or to Hernando Pasco Hospice, 37445 Clinton Ave, Dade City, FL 33525.