Obituary: Ruth Leona Hoover Lichtenwalner, 90

Ruth Leona Hoover Lichtenwalner passed away on April 23, 2012, at 90 years of age. Ruth's greatest joys were her family, traveling, and sharing time and meals with friends and family. Born September 24, 1921 on a farm in Conewago Township, York County, PA, Ruth was the third of nine children of Paul David Hoover and his wife the former Florence Newcomer. Ruth earned a Registered Nurse degree and worked at York Hospital before marrying Charles Benjamin Lichtenwalner of Macungie, PA on March 10, 1946. For 31 years Ruth and Charles resided on a Farm on Brookside Road near East Texas, PA, raising four children before moving a mile away to the Lichtenwalner Family homestead. Ruth and Charles enjoyed more than 41 years of marriage and saw the birth of 5 grandchildren before Charles passed away April 8, 1987. They were active members of Macungie Grange and , Macungie, PA. She taught Sunday school and served on a pastor’s search committee. Ruth was a member of Eastern Star and the York Hospital Nurses’ Association. She was also a member of the Lehigh County, , and Historical Societies, and the Allentown Art Museum. Ruth was a devoted private nurse for several families in the Allentown area before retiring. She became the companion of Laird P. Smith of Orefield, PA and spent many happy years caring for him until his death in March 2010. Both were active members of the Trexlertown Grange, often traveling to local and state conventions. For the last two years Ruth split her time residing in PA with her son Lee and her daughter Lois on Long Beach Island, NJ. Ruth passed away at Southern Ocean Medical Center after a struggle with heart failure and its complications. Ruth is survived by her son Charles P. Lichtenwalner and his wife Jolene Y. Lichtenwalner of Lebanon, NJ, her son Lee A. Lichtenwalner and his wife Deborah G. Lichtenwalner of Macungie, PA, her daughter Lois L. Mullen of The Dunes, NJ, her daughter Jean L. Klucick and her husband Tom Klucick of Neffs, PA, 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren with a fifth due in May. Ruth is also survived by four siblings: Mary H. Stover, May H. Poff and her husband Millard Poff, Pauline Lenz and her husband James Lenz, Glen Hoover and his wife Donette Hoover, and her sister-in-Law Mildred Phillips. Ruth leaves behind 23 nieces and nephews and many grand nieces and nephews. She knew all their names, birthdays and ages. Ruth was a generous, gracious, and guiding presence in the lives of all who knew her. 

Services: Funeral Services Saturday April 28, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the , 250 Main St. Emmaus. Family and friends may call between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Interment after the funeral in Solomon’s Union Cemetery. 

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to a charity of your choice.

Information Courtesy of Schantz Funeral Home P.C.