Kenneth Milton Werkheiser

Kenneth Milton Werkheiser, 79, of East Stroudsburg, passed away suddenly on Thursday, March 19, with his family at his bedside after tirelessly battling months of surgeries and complications. He was the devoted husband of Mary T. (Dicker) Werkheiser, with whom he celebrated 58 years of marriage on Dec. 30, 2008.

Born on March 5, 1930, in Bethlehem Township, Ken was the son of the late Osbourne and Edith Werkheiser.

He graduated from Wilson High School in 1947. He was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years. He received an honorable discharge in October 1953.

Ken worked many jobs to support his family, including driving a school bus, pressman and later owning his own drapery business. He was a member of the VFW 'Cooties' and a member of the Democratic Club. He also was an avid blood donor to the American Red Cross.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who always was willing to help anyone in need. His sense of humor and ability to tell a story made him the center of any family gathering. He was very proud of his family and was always enthusiastic to talk about them. "Pop-Pop" will always be remembered for his repeated tales, songs and off-color jokes (you know, —¦ Run, Forrest, Run!" or —¦ Get in the boat, men!") as well as delighting family, friends and hospital staffs with his crazy boxer shorts and T-shirts.

Anyone who knew Ken could learn much by his example of how he lived his life. He was foremost a family man and did not care if he impressed people or what people thought of him — he was proud of who he was and happy in his life. For Ken, the glass was never half empty, but half full. He did not complain about hard work or pains of illnesses — he always felt he had more to do on this earth and will be missed by all who knew him.

Ken is survived by his wife, Mary, and five daughters: Judy Hathaway and companion, Barrie Leigh, of Branchburg, N.J., Jill Werkheiser of East Stroudsburg, Mary Ann Rodriguez of Stroudsburg, Heidi Schwab and husband Gerry, of Medford, N.J., and Kim Wyler and husband Gary, of Tafton. He is also survived by five granddaughters, Jennifer and husband Andrew, Jessica, Julie and husband Tom, Sarah and husband Brett, and Abigail; as well as one great-granddaughter, Hannah; and three great-grandsons, (finally some boys!) Aiden, Asher and Samuel.

Ken is also survived by brothers and sisters, Osbourne "Hank" of Florida, Lester of Maryland, Sterling "Butch" of Texas, Stanley of Easton, Florence Weller of Easton, Betty DiAngelo of Easton, Joyce Helm of Easton and JoAnn Schriner of Georgia; as well as many in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by siblings Leonard, Gerald, Donald, Eleanore Ehrie, Doris Teel, and son-in-law Gil Rodriguez.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 23, in the Lanterman & Allen Funeral Home, 27 Washington St., East Stroudsburg. Friends and family can gather beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of services in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any contributions be made to either VNA Hospice of Monroe County or the American Heart Association. In addition, the family asks that anyone who knew Ken to write down your favorite memory, story or joke of Ken's and bring it to the service, or send them to the family so that they can then be incorporated into a memorial album to celebrate his life.


&dateline;27 Washington St.

East Stroudsburg