J. Paulette “Paula” Bleacher, 74, of Lititz, passed away Monday, June 19, at The Gardens at Stevens. Paula had worked as an administrative assistant for many years at Armstrong World Industries. She enjoyed skiing, fly fishing, camping, and going to horse races.
Redgie L. Mattern, 56, formerly of Manheim, died peacefully June 7 at his home in Murrells Inlet, S.C. He had memberships with the American Legion, the VFW, and the Germania Band Club, all of Manheim. Redgie enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golf. Redgie will be missed by his beloved dog, Roy. His sister, Sue, wife of Dennis Parmer, resides in Ephrata.
Dorothy A. Ritchie, 101, of United Zion Retirement Community, Lititz, passed away June 20. Dorothy was the ultimate family matriarch. She was a faithful member of Grace Evangelical Congregational Church where she taught Sunday school for many years. She will be remembered by many as a strong Christian woman. Dorothy loved to write poetry. She also had a witty sense of humor that always had others laughing. Her son-in-law, Pete Hecker, lives in Ephrata.
Dick Filling, 85, loved a good joke and discussing politics almost as much as he loved his family, friends, and community. He passed away at the Masonic Care Center on June 12 after a brief illness. Dick attended Franklin & Marshall College until enlisting in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After serving his country he joined the family business, Fillings Inc.. His political career began in Lancaster as a committeeman, and city Republican chairman. He was later elected to the Lancaster City Council in 1966-1972, serving as president through 1969. In 1977, he moved on to state politics becoming the chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Party. Dick was elected to be a delegate to the 1980 Republican Convention, and served as a member of the Electoral College that same year. He would go on to work for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Republican Member Services, the Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs as the legislative liaison, and be appointed as the Pennsylvania commissioner of the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation, retiring in 2003. His daughter, Ann Marie Koch, companion of Dr. Walter Engle, lives in Denver.
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