Earl S. Retherford, Sr., 79, of Hershey, passed away Saturday, October 17, 2009, in the Rheems Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
Born in Conoy Township on June 21, 1930, he was the son of the late Samuel H. Sr. and Anna Mae Dimeler Retherford.
Earl was the owner of Pumpkin World in South Hanover Township. He was a great hunter and fisherman.
Earl was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Shirley R. Shepler Retherford, whom he married on April 20, 1952; a brother, Samuel H. Retherford, Jr.; a half brother, Lester B. Rutherford; and a half sister, Mary McCoy.
He is survived by one son, Earl S. Retherford, Jr. of Hershey; three sisters, Mildred G. wife of Paul C. Noss of Sacramento, PA, Arlene D. wife of the late Terry L. Sager of Bainbridge, and Margaret D. wife of Troy Bair of Elizabethtown; and six brothers, Earnest D. husband of Bernice K. of Middletown, George D. husband of Marion, and Albert D. husband of Beverly both of Bainbridge, Troy M. husband of Paula, and Robert D. husband of Pamela both of Elizabethtown, and Allen D. of Camp Hill.
A memorial service will be held Friday, October 23, 2009, at 6 PM in the Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, with The Rev. Charles H. Martzall of the Independent Bible Church of Sand Beach officiating. A private interment will be held in the Hershey Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday in the funeral home from 5 PM until time of the service.
Those desiring may send memorial contributions to the National Parkinson’s Foundation, 1501 North West 9th Avenue, Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 33136; or to the American Cancer Society, Capital Region Unit, 3211 North Front Street, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110.