Leon M. Rothermel

Leon Merkel "Pete" Rothermel, 80, died May 18, 2010 in his Temple residence.

He was the husband of Marilyn Mae (Hawkins) Rothermel who died October 12, 2004.

Born December 17, 1929 in West Reading, he was a son of the late Leon Snyder and Kathryn (Merkel) Rothermel.

Pete was a 1947 graduate of Fleetwood High School and a 1951 graduate of Albright College, earning a degree in Journalism and French.

He was employed as a German and English teacher with Oley School District for 5 years and Wilson School District for 30 years, retiring in 1994. He also coached boys basketball for both districts.

Pete was also employed part-time with Meridian Bank for many years.

He was the recipient of the Basketball Old Timers Lifetime Achievement Award and was listed by the Reading Eagle on the Honorable Mention List of outstanding basketball players for the last 50 years of the 20th century.

Surviving are three children: Susan D. (Rothermel), wife of Robert H. Wolfe of Millersville, Lancaster County; J. Peter Rothermel of Temple and Michael J., husband of Kristin M. Rothermel of Glen Allen, VA.

In addition there is a sister, Margaret F. (Rothermel) Kantner of Ft. Worth, TX.

Other survivors include three grandsons: Mitchell R., Aidan M. and Carson P.

Pete was predeceased by a daughter Diana L. Rothermel who died in 1978.

Services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in Walter R. Christ Funeral Home, Inc., 3300 Kutztown Road, Laureldale. A viewing will be held one hour prior to services in the funeral home. Burial will be in Forest Hills Memorial Park, Exeter Township.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Autism Society of Central VA, P.O. Box 29364, Richmond, VA 23242-0364 or online at www.asacv.org. For online condolences, please visit www.christfuneralhome.com.