Edwin Lohr Stetler

Edwin L. Stetler

Edwin Lohr Stetler, a 20-year resident of Bethany Village in Mechanicsburg, PA, died there on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at the age of 100.

Born on January 22, 1921, in Harrisburg, PA, Ed was the son of Roy H. and Dora E. (Lohr) Stetler.  He was predeceased in 2009 by his wife of 66 years, his high school sweetheart Kathleen “Kitty” Frazer Stetler.  Surviving him are: son, Kerwin L. Stetler and his wife Kay of Mechanicsburg, their son Phillip Stetler (Katie) of York, PA, and their daughter Laura Brown (Tommy) of Knoxville, TN; daughter Denise Stetler Kocott and her husband Thomas of Mechanicsburg and their daughter Christine Kocott Shay (Gary) of Blandon, PA; and daughter Sharon Stetler Herr and her husband Robert of Camp Hill, PA, their son Gregory Herr (Jinah) of Santa Monica, CA, and their daughter Melissa Herr Hollander (Scott) of Williamsville (Buffalo), NY. Eight great-grandchildren, with number nine due in several weeks, complete his family.

Ed graduated in 1938 from William Penn High School in Harrisburg and in 1942 from Duke University.  He served as a lieutenant in the US Navy during World War II, stationed in Lakehurst, NJ.  His professional career was in church-related publishing with the former Evangelical Press in Harrisburg and United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, TN, from which he retired in 1978.

He was a creative man who built a tall case clock for each of his children and penned an occasional personal poem.  His organizational skills aided him in chairing work-related and high school reunions.  Being extremely precise was essential as he created hundreds of pieces of string art.  In recent years, Ed did 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles, one after another.  He succeeded on a daily basis in completing the puzzles in the newspaper.  Until two months ago, he spent time on the computer each day and was still driving; his license plate read DUKE-PSU.

Music was an important part of Ed’s life.  The big bands of his era captured his interest, especially Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians.  He and Kitty danced to them when they appeared at the Starlight Ballroom in Hershey, PA.  Singing in the choir was a much-loved part of Ed’s life in each of the three churches in which he was active—the former Harris Street United Methodist Church (previously Harris Street EUB Church) in Harrisburg, Calvary United Methodist Church in Nashville, TN, and Camp Hill United Methodist Church where he was also the church treasurer for a number of years.

Ed loved sports in general. Bowling and NCAA basketball were his favorites.  After beginning to bowl in college, he participated in leagues throughout his life, maintaining a list of the score of every game he bowled starting in 1950.  Duke University basketball season was the highlight of each sports year for him.  From his dorm room on the campus, he had watched the construction of Cameron Indoor Stadium, the well-known basketball venue where games are still played.  At the age of 90, he traveled to Durham with Kerwin to see a game in that space.

Through the years, Ed served on the board of the Harrisburg Central YMCA and was active in its social group, the Y’s Men’s Club.  He was a board member of Bethesda Mission and a member of the Borough Council in Camp Hill.  His masonic connection included West Shore Masonic Lodge 681 of Camp Hill (which merged with Eureka Lodge 302 in Mechanicsburg), and Zembo Shrine.  The Ecumenical Food Pantry benefitted from Ed’s volunteer spirit as he packed food there for a number of years.

Before moving to Bethany Village in 2001, he and Kitty volunteered on the campus. Once there, that continued for him, along with ping pong, model railroad club, disc golf, and Senior Olympics at which he excelled.  Decorating for Christmas was always a highlight of the season for Ed, something he continued for many years in his Bethany Village cottage.

To honor Ed’s commitment to health and education, his body has been donated to Pennsylvania Humanity Gifts Registry at Hershey Medical Center.

An informal Open House will be held at Buhrig’s Gathering Place, 25 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, (717) 766-3421, from 12:00-3:00 PM on Saturday, August 21.  A Celebration of Life ceremony led by Rev. Dr. Brand W. Eaton will take place from 1:30-2:00 PM.  Light refreshments will be served, including Ed’s favorite food, ice cream.  The venue is located next to Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory, 37 E. Main Street, Mechanicsburg.  Over 100 parking spaces are available; just look for the “Buhrig” parking signs in all of the parking lots.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethany Village Care Assurance Fund, 325 Wesley Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, Camp Hill United Methodist Church, 427 S. 22nd Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011, or an organization of your choice.

Ed’s family has entrusted his care to Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory, 37 E. Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA (717-766-3421). Read Ed’s full obituary, view his memorial video, and sign his official guest book at Buhrig.com.