Bernard J. Elzer

Bernard J. Elzer Sr., retired president of a Sinking Spring printing business, died March 6 at 5:45 a.m. in ManorCare Health Services Inc., Spring Township, where he had resided since June.

Elzer, 91, a resident of Phoebe Berks Village, Wernersville, formerly of West Reading, was predeceased by his wife, Mary Catherine (O'Reilly) Elzer, on Feb. 8, 2001.

He was the founder and president and chief executive officer of Grafika Commercial Printing Inc., Sinking Spring, from 1963 until his retirement in 1984.

Born in Essen, Germany, he was a son of the late John and Anna (Gantner) Elzer.

Elzer was a 1932 graduate of Reading High School.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, West Reading.

Surviving is a son, Bernard J. Jr., North Heidelberg Township.

Other survivors include five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Bridget A. (Elzer) Shiery, in 2003.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery, Laureldale. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., West Reading, is in charge of arrangements.

Friends may call in the Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading, Saturday, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Contributions may be made to the Easter Seals Society, 1040 Liggett Avenue, Reading, PA 19611.