Russell W. Maurer Sr.
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Russell W. Maurer Sr., 96, formerly of Mowry, Quakertown and Swatara Village, Pine Grove Township, died August 26, at Saint Catherine Medical Center Fountain Springs.
Born in Mowry, Sept. 9, 1913, he was a son of the late William and Clara Mae Dengler Maurer.
He was educated in Barry Township schools and became a school board member in 1944, serving in that office until 1956. In 1933, he served as Scoutmaster for Mowry Boy Scout Troop 39 and later served as neighborhood Scouting commissioner for Schuylkill County. He was employed as a slate picker and later a weigh master for the former Lavelle Coal Co. and the Locust Summit Coal Breaker until it closed. With the closing of the collieries, he moved to Quakertown, working for U.S. Gauge of Sellersville, 23 years as a painter. Also while in Quakertown, he worked as a funeral attendant for the Jeffrey A. Naugle Funeral Home.
A lover of aviation, Russ earned his private pilot license from the Northumberland County Airport in 1944, and became publicity director for the then-active Skydusters flying club.
In 1937, he helped form Lavelle Volunteer Fire Company. He was the last surviving charter member of the company.
He was a member of St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Pine Grove, a life member of the Lavelle Fire Company and the Six County Fireman's Relief Association, Cedar Lodge 78 F&AM. Mount Carmel, Williamsport Consistory, Ashland Area Historic and Preservation Society, Pine Grove Fish and Game Club, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, and Friendship Forest 146, Quakertown, where he served as publicity director.
Russ's favorite activity was being a freelance reporter. He started his career as a paper boy for the Mount Carmel Item, later becoming their reporter for the Lavelle and Mowry areas. Other papers he worked for were the Ashland Daily News, Pottsville Republican, Shamokin Citizen, Allentown Morning Call and the Daily Intelligencer. His last assignment was with The Citizen-Standard, where he penned "Memories of Russ Maurer," a 10-part series.
Preceding him in death were his wife of 65 years, Mary Boyce, who passed away Aug. 26, 2001; two sisters, Elsie Fetterolf and Blanche Gold; two brothers, Emerson and Franklin.
Surviving are a son, Russell W. Maurer Jr., husband of Dorothy, Quakertown; a daughter, Joan, wife of George Harris, Fountain Springs; a sister, Arlene Paul, Harrisburg; five grandchildren, Carey Harris and his wife, Carol, Madison, Ala., Craig Harris and his wife, Leslie, Ashland, Russell "Chris" Harris, Thompson, Ohio, Dianna Harris, wife of Rob Corcoran, Aristes, Audrey Maurer, wife of Chris Erdman, Quakertown; 14 great-grandchildren, Jennifer, Melissa, Christopher Harris and Christina Owens, all of Alabama, Nicole, Kyle and Kacie Harris, Ashland, Amanda Harris, Ohio, Brianna and Caitlyn Harris, Connecticut, Robby and Kelsey Cocoran, Aristes, and Zachary and Zoey Erdman, Quakertown; and six great-great-grandchildren, Ethan, Hayden, Hunter, Kyndall, Gage and Landon, all of Alabama; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services with fire company honors were held August 30 from Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, 1323 Centre St., Ashland. Rev. John Wallace, pastor of Simpson United Methodist Church, Gordon, officiated. Interment was in Sunnyside Cemetery, Lavelle. Memorials may be made to Lavelle Fire Company, Lavelle, PA 17943, or Simpson United Methodist Church, Gordon, PA 17936. Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, has charge of arrangements.
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