Obituary of Layser N. Shenk

Layser N. Shenk, 94, of 544 North Penryn Road, Manheim, PA, passed away Wednesday morning, November 21, 2012 at Pleasant View Retirement Community following a six week illness. Born in Mount Joy Twp., Lancaster County, PA, he was the son of the late John S. and Katie Layser Shenk. He was the husband of Elizabeth Brill Shenk for 72 years on October 19, 2012. Layser was an active member of Chiques Church of the Brethren in Manheim where he had served the church as a trustee and sang in the men's chorus. He was a local farmer until he and his wife moved from their Mastersonville farm to Pleasant View in 2007. In addition to operating his own farm, he provided custom farm work for other farmers in the Mastersonville area and helped to design and operate the first grain hammer mill used by, what is today, E.E. Shenk and Sons. Layser also drove school bus for Rufus Geib Bus Co. for 44 years and was a Rapho Twp. supervisor for over 20 years. He was a charter member of the Mastersonville Volunteer Fire Department and enjoyed attending Hershey Bears hockey games and softball games played by grandsons and by church members. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Larry J., husband of Georgia L. Bleacher Shenk, of Manheim, Brenda Shenk Palsgrove, wife of Edwin W. Palsgrove, of New Windsor, MD, and Linda K., wife of Gene G. Bruckhart, of Lititz, PA; a son-in-law, Kenneth S. Hoover, husband of Donna Lefever Hoover, of Elizabethtown, PA; 12 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and a sister, Kathryn J. Lefever of Lancaster, PA. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara A. Hoover; and four siblings, Clara E. Petticoffer, Arlene M. Strickler, Chester G. Shenk, and John R. Shenk. A memorial service will be held on Sunday afternoon, November 25, 2012 at 3:00 PM at Chiques Church of the Brethren, 4045 Sunnyside Road, Manheim, PA with Ministers Ron Strickler and Norman Yeater officiating. Private interment will be in the Chiques Cemetery. There will be no viewing. The family will receive guests at a luncheon in the family life center of the church immediately following the service. Please omit flowers. If desired, contributions may be made to Hospice and Community Care, 685 Good Drive, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604 or to COBYS Family Services, 1417 East Oregon Road, Leola, PA 17540. To express a condolence with the family or for additional information, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.