John W. Williams

John W. Williams, retired owner of Lorane Orchards, Exeter Township, died Aug. 18 at 7:42 p.m. in Reading Hospital, where he had been a patient one month.

Williams, 94, of Hearthstone Drive, Exeter Township, was predeceased by his wife, Evelyn M. (Stalnecker) Williams, on April 22, 1991.

He was the owner-operator of the Lorane Orchards from 1943 until his retirement in 1982.

Born in Reading, he was a son of the late Irwin L. and Mary V. (Fink) Williams.

Williams was previously employed for several years as a stone cutter by Eisenhower Monuments, Muhlenberg Township, and was employed for several years by the Reading Co.

He was a member of Alsace Lutheran Church, Hyde Park, where he was a teacher of the Men's Bible Class.

Williams was president of the Alsace Cemetery Board, Hyde Park, from 1991 to 1999.

He was a 77-year member of Camp 68, Patriotic Order Sons of America, Hyde Park, where he was the assistant financial secretary for 20 years, and a past director and a trustee for 50 years.

Williams was the recipient of Camp 68's "Washington Award" and received the "Man of the Year" award for the Berks County P.O.S. of A.

He was named trustee emeritus P.O.S. of A. for the state camp.

Williams was a life member of Lodge 62, F&AM, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Reading; Neversink Forest 32, Tall Cedars of Lebanon; Rajah Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and the Goodwill Fire Company, Hyde Park, and its beneficial association.

He was a past director for 18 years of Red Cheek Inc., Fleetwood.

Williams was a past president of the Berks County Fruit Growers Association.

Surviving are two daughters, Eileen M. (Williams) Teater, Reading, and Barbara A. (Williams) Howell, Charlotte, N.C.

Other survivors include three sisters: Mary (Williams) Stolle, a resident at the Berkshire Center, Exeter Township; Sara (Williams) Heere, Wyomissing; and Mabel (Williams) Hower, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

There are also four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Services will be Friday at 10:30 a.m. in Alsace Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Alsace Cemetery, Hyde Park. Viewings Thursday evening 6:30 - 8:00 pm in the funeral home and Friday 10:00 am until time of service in the church. Walter R. Christ Funeral Home Inc., Laureldale, is in charge of arrangements.