Perry County obituaries for the weeks prior to August 10.

THOMAS L. LOPER JR.

Thomas Lee “Tommy” Loper Jr. was born on September 18, 1980 and passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at his parents’ home.

He graduated from Susquenita High School and then worked as a laborer.

He had many loves in his life, spending time with his family and friends as well as with the WWE and enjoying watching all the wrestling shows, a love he shared with his father.

He could recite plays and lines from so many movies and TV shows and knew the words to so many songs. His love of the beach had been instilled in him at a young age and he still loved to go there at every opportunity. He also enjoyed fishing, taking long walks, doing puzzles and he loved Mountain Dew like no one else.

He had a beautiful smile and his eyes were like bright blue broken marbles, his laugh was infectious, he was a joker like no other. He was a wonderful son, brother, brother-in-law, nephew and the best uncle ever, even to the extended family. He loved everyone – truly a great soul.

Surviving are his mother, Anna “Annie” (Hockenberry) Loper; four sisters, Jennifer (the late Joseph) Isenberg of Selinsgrove, Holly (Rick) Seiler of Duncannon, Janel Martin and her partner Jason Lukens of Watts Twp., and Erin (George Jr.) McKelvey of Duncannon; two nieces, Tori Isenberg and Laila Lukens; five nephews, Ethan Seiler, Isaac Isenberg, Franklin Martin III, Colin McKelvey and Conner McKelvey; and one great-niece, Sirena Isenberg.

He was predeceased by his father Thomas Lee Loper, his niece Ashley Seiler, his nephew Christian Seiler and his entire family Harley (Harls, Carls) and Jack Loper.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, August 9th from 4-9 p.m. at the Duncannon VFW Post 255.

Arrangements were made by Ronald CL Smith Funeral Home in Duncannon.

DAVID P. RADLE JR.

David Peter Radle Jr., 77, of Landisburg passed away on Friday, July 26, 2024, at his residence.

He was born on February 22, 1947 in Carlisle to the late David Peter Sr. and Bertha Mildred (Kell) Radle.

He attended Perry Joint School and Eshcol Brethren in Christ Church in Newport.

Formerly employed by the Gibson Block Company in Carlisle, he has operated his own independent firewood business for the past few years.

Surviving are his wife, Betty, whom he married October 31, 1987; his children, Lisa Erb of Millerstown, Lori (Paul) Schnitzer of New Bloomfield, Julie Bechtel of New Bloomfield, Thomas Radle of Burnham, Brian (Lindsey) Radle of Shermans Dale and Jennifer Radel of Landisburg; a stepdaughter, Sherrie Collins of Shermans Dale; 18 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren, three siblings, Joyce Meyer of Duncannon, Jean (Bob) Sharar of Newport and Daniel Radle of Newport; and numerous nieces and nephews.

His son David Patrick Radle died in February 2004.

A service was held on July 30 at the Nickel-Lochstampfor Funeral Home in Loysville with the Reverend Joseph L. Shepherd officiating. Burial was in the Saint Peter’s United Church of Christ Cemetery in Landisburg.

RUSS HOOVER

Russ Hoover, 81, died of cancer on Monday, July 29, 2024, after a short illness.

He was born in Middletown in 1943.

As a graduate mechanical engineer, he managed numerous industrial plants in Ohio.

He was instrumental in the placement of the Bicentennial markers that dot the landscape of Perry County, and his design became the Perry County Bicentennial Plaza in Lynn Schafer Dum Park in Elliottsburg. He served on numerous boards – the Perry County Economic Development Authority, the Perry County Literacy Council, and the Historical Society of Perry County, where he assisted in the restoration efforts of the 1798 Clarks Ferry Tavern in Duncannon, worked closely with architects to create plans for the building’s interior and the design of the Tavern Green, and helped obtain major state grants for the tavern’s restoration.

After the death of his beloved wife, Marilyn (Lynn), he returned to central Pennsylvania in 2011 and settled in Perry County to be near his brother Jim Hoover, nephew Craig (Jill) Hoover and niece Stacey (Mark) Butcher, and great-nephews Dylan and Mason Hoover. He is also survived by two stepdaughters, Mary Jo Anemaat of Kansas and Pam Lenz of Maine, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, his parents Harris and Dorothy Hoover and his sister-in-law Sandra Hoover also died.

A memorial service to honor his life will be held on Saturday, August 17, at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen, 159 S. Second St., Newport, with the Reverend Robyn Szoke-Coolidge officiating.

The David Myers Funeral Home in Newport is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Friends of Clarks Ferry Tavern, PO Box 184, Duncannon 17020 (please indicate “Russ Hoover Memorial” in the memo of the check).

BETTY J. GIBBONY

Betty J. Gibboney, 90, of Newport, passed away Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Claremont Nursing and Rehabilitation, Carlisle.

She was born on May 27, 1934 in Reedsville to Banks and Helen (Bonson) Sausman.

She was a member of Hope Eternal United Methodist Church in Newport and enjoyed going to flea markets.

She was the widow of Jack I. Gibboney.

Surviving are five sons: Jack I. Gibboney Jr., Jeffrey K. Gibboney, Jan C. Gibboney Sr., Jerry B. Gibboney Sr. and Jamie D. Gibboney, all of Newport; nine grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

A service was held on August 1 at the David Myers Funeral Home in Newport with Pastor Deborah Ryder officiating. Burial was in Newport Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Newport Ambulance League or her church.

ELIJAH E. KROUT

Elijah E. Krout, 88, of Landisburg, died Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at his home.

He was born on June 30, 1936, in Dover, Pennsylvania, to Rev. Charles A. Sr. and Rosa Ellen (Diehl) Krout Sr.

He attended Kennedy Valley Church of God. He was employed by American Chain and Cable Company and Ronald Crull Plastering and worked for 31 years as a truck driver for Consolidated Freightways, where he was better known by his nickname “Pokey Pete.” He retired in 1998. He was a member of Teamsters Union Local 776 and the Tuscarora Forest Property Owners Association. During his time as a truck driver, he won the Million (Safe) Mile Award. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed his family, hunting and fishing – especially in Canada. He was a true Harry Gant NASCAR fan.

Surviving are his beloved wife of 65 years, Charlene M. (Crull) Krout; three children, Todd D. Krout (Suzi E.) of Red Lion, Daryl L. Krout of East Berlin, and Michelle L. Bixler (Jay) of York; six grandchildren, Zachary T. Krout, Levi H. Krout, Nicole L. Hutcheson, Lindzy M. Anderson, Allison M. Krout, and Lily F. Rentzel; 11 great-grandchildren; one sister, Ruth H. Firth of York Haven; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Steven Bixler, two siblings, Charles Alvin Krout Jr. and Rosemary Destaphano, and three nephews.

A service will be held on August 9th at 7:30 p.m. at the Nickel-Lochstampfor Family Funeral Home, Loysville, with the Rev. Dennis Bailey, Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends and relatives from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Burial will be on August 10th at Suburban Memorial Gardens, York County.

Memorial donations may be made to his church, 4408 Valley Road, Shermans Dale 17090, or online in Steve Bixler’s memory to the ALS Hope Foundation at www.alshf.org/donate.

JESSE G. BROWN (Cavey)

Jesse G. Brown, 55, of Blain passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 28, 2024.

He was born on July 22, 1969 in Harrisburg to Jesse D. Brown and Jeannie C. Benson.

He enjoyed riding his Harley, going to races, and spending time with his family and friends. He was loved by many and will be missed very much.

David Myers Funeral Home in Newport handled the arrangements.

R. ELEANOR GUNTRUM

R. Eleanor Guntrum, 83, of Duncannon, passed away Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Brookdale Grandon Farms, Mechanicsburg.

She was born on January 31, 1941 in Baltimore, Maryland.

She graduated from Susquenita High School in 1958.

She retired as a legal secretary from the law firm of Scott Cramer.

She was a member of the former Asbury United Methodist Church in Duncannon, where she directed the children’s choir, taught Sunday school, and was a member of the True Blue Sunday school class. She served on the Council of Ministries of the United Methodist Church and the Board of Directors of Penn Memorial Gardens. She enjoyed gardening, playing the piano, singing, art, watercolor painting, and interior decorating.

She was the widow of William D. “Bill” Guntrum.

Her father, Fred Noble, her mother, Helen Pauline (Shelley) Hower, and her stepfather, Melvin Hower, predeceased her.

Surviving are a son, William Guntrum and his husband, David Satterlee, of St. Kitts and Nevis; two daughters, Toni (Guntrum) Melchiorre of Dillsburg and Sue (Guntrum) Hnylanski and her husband, Pete, of Newport; two brothers, Chuck Hower and his wife, Teresa, of Marysville, and George Hower and his wife, Ginny, of Duncannon; a sister, Kathy Boyer and her husband, Tim, of Duncannon; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on August 2 at the Ronald CL Smith Funeral Home in Duncannon.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg 17110.

GARY S. CROSSON

Gary S. Crosson, 69, of Millersburg passed away at home on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.

He was born on February 26, 1955 to the late Lester and Shirley (Whitman) Crosson.

Throughout his career he worked as a mechanic and truck driver. In his spare time he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He could always be found in his garage, tinkering with his small engines and modifying cars. He also had a passion for antique farm equipment and attending auctions. An animal lover, he cherished time with his dog Maddie and most of all, time with his family and friends.

Surviving are his beloved wife of 36 years, Vicky (Howell) Crosson; one son, Timothy Breese (wife Mary); two daughters, Trudy Eperjesi (husband Eric) of Enola and Cora Crosson (fiancé Jason) of Paxtonia; one brother, Dana Crosson of Maryland; six grandchildren, Stepanie Sollers, Victoria Sassaman, Austin Fickes, Caleb Fickes, Evan Crosson and Sabrina Crosson; one great-grandson, Allen Sassaman; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Timothy Crosson and Randy Crosson, a sister, Karrie (Crosson) Shoemaker, and a grandson, Gage Crosson.

The burial took place at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

The funeral home Bitner Family Funeral Homes took over the organization.

Memorial contributions may be made to Homeland Hospice, www.homelandhospice.org, or to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, www.pgc.pa.gov.