Wilfred L. (Wil) Potteiger, 84, of Lancaster, and formerly of Ephrata, passed on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015, at Hospice & Community Care in Mt. Joy, following a 2½ year battle with stomach cancer.
Born in East Cocalico Township, he was the son of the late Arthur Potteiger, Naomi Shober and stepfather Milton Demming; and was the husband of Phyllis (Cox) Jackson Potteiger, and the late Elaine M. (Sweigart) Potteiger, who passed away in 2008. Wil and Elaine celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2007.
Wil retired from the former D&E Telephone Company in Ephrata as a design engineer with 35 years of service. Upon retirement from D&E, he worked for Verizon (formerly Bell), Lancaster for 11½ years as a design engineer, then drove cars for Garden Spot Car Auction in Ephrata for six years. Wil was a life member of the Telephone Pioneers.
He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Lancaster. Prior to moving to Lancaster, he was a member of Bethany UCC in Ephrata for 50 years, where he served as trustee, deacon, and assisted the church secretary. He also served on the Board of Cocalico Place representing Bethany for many years.
Wil and Elaine traveled through the United States and Europe and enjoyed Williamsburg, Va. He also liked to spend summer vacations at the beach with his family. He was a long time member of The Friends of Eberbach. Eberbach, Germany is the sister city of Ephrata. Wil and Elaine visited Eberbach numerous times and hosted families from Eberbach. He was a long time board member of the Eicher Arts Center, Ephrata where he served as comptroller, oversaw the maintenance of the facilities, helped with free programs for the community, was active in social activities, fundraisers plus the Indian shop and museum.
He was Cub Scout Leader in the 60s and 70s for Cub Pack 73 in Ephrata. In July 1972 as Scout Leader, he accompanied 13 Scouts to the Philmount Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M. The itinerary was an 11-day 65 mile hike, camping and crossing five mountains ranging from 9,000 to 12,000 feet in height.
Wil was a member of the Ephrata Lions Club with 40 plus years perfect attendance. He served as president 1982-1983, received District Champion Award, the Lion Dan Walter Memorial Award, Lion of the Year and was a Melvin Jones Fellow. Wil managed the Beef and Birch Beer Lions Stand at the Ephrata Fair for 21 years and was known as “Mr. Beef.”
In addition to his wife, Phyllis, Wil is survived by son: Peter A. Potteiger, husband of Lourdes (San Martin), New Cumberland; stepdaughter: Trudy M. (Sweigart), wife of Glen Miller, New Holland; and preceded in death by daughter: Heidi Potteiger, who died in 1994.
Also surviving are granddaughter: Sarah E. (Potteiger), wife of Rob Lowry Jr., Georgia; grandson: Noah S. Potteiger, husband of Alicia (Wolfgang), New Cumberland; stepdaughter: Tracy Cotter, married to Bill; stepgranddaughter: Jenna Cotter; stepgrandson: Lucas Cotter, married to Amanda; stepgreat-granddaughter: Addison, all of Tennessee; and stepson: Thomas Jackson married to Debra (Kemmick); plus several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 6 at Bethany United Church of Christ, 140 E. Main St. Ephrata. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Place of interment will be Swamp Cemetery in West Cocalico Township.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the team at Hospice & Community Care for the excellent care.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on Wil’s behalf to Hospice & Community Care, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604; or, to the American Cancer Society East Central Division, Lancaster Unit, PO Box 498 Hershey, PA 17033.
Services are under the care of Paul L. Gravenor Home For Funerals, Ephrata. To send an online condolence, visit gravenorhomeforfunerals.com.
The post Wilfred L. Potteiger, 84, D&E design engineer, 40-year Ephrata Lions Club member, Scout Leader appeared first on Ephrata Review.