Chester H. Sollenberger

Chester H. Sollenberger, 86, of Lebanon died Friday October 12, 2012 in his residence. He was married 55 years to the late Mildred Grove Sollenberger, who passed away March 13, 2003 while living in Hagerstown, MD. Born on April 18, 1926 in Chambersbug, PA, he was the son of the late Henry and Ethel Overcash Sollenberger (stepmother-Emma Burkholder Sollenberger). Chester was employed in mechanical contracting and spent 8 ½ years in Zambia, Africa with the Brethren in Christ World Missions, supervising building projects. He served on the Board of Cumberland Valley Relief Service, Chambersburg and was a volunteer for the Mennonite Disaster Service and assisted with many projects. He married Rachel L. Copenhaver Sollenberger in April 2004 and they continued to return to Zambia for several months each year to assist with construction of Macha Malarie Research Institute. Chester was a very active member of the Fairland Brethren in Christ Church, Cleona. He is survived in addition to his wife by two sons Gregory R., husband of Nancy Sollenberger of Sarasota, FL and Jeffery L., husband of Toni Sollenberger of Hagerstown, MD. Four grandchildren Chad and Mike Sollenberger of Sarasota, FL, Patrick Sollenberger, and Grace Card of Hagerstown, MD, and one great grandson Anderson Card. Also surviving are half-brothers, Ira Sollenberger, husband of Erma of Mechanicsburg, Harold Sollenberger, husband of Lois, of Bushnell, FL, Menno Sollenberger, husband of Joyce, of Chambersburg, Samuel Sollenberger, husband of Pat, of Chambersburg, and a step-sister-in-law, Doris Sollenberger of Waynesboro. He was preceded in death by a brother David and three sisters Anna Gochenauer, Martha Kuhns, and Emma Sollenberger, and a half-brother John. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday October 17, 2012 at Fairland Brethren in Christ Church, 529 West Penn Avenue, Cleona at 10:30 AM. Entombment will be held at the convenience of the family in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, Hagerstown, MD. Viewing will be held on Tuesday evening from the Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory, 618 E. Main Street, Annville from 6-8 PM and also on Wednesday from 9:30-10:30 AM prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Brethren in Christ World Missions, P.O. Box 390, Grantham, PA 17027 or Macha Malaria, P.O. Box 388, Dillsburg, PA 17019 in his memory. PDF Printable Version