Obituary of Evelyn L. Briel

Evelyn Davidson Stephens Briel, 88, of Elizabethtown, PA, formerly of the Hershey and Hummelstown areas, passed away on Saturday evening, October 22, 2016 at Masonic Health Care Center in Elizabethtown following a period of declining health. Born in Sterling, MA, she was the daughter of the late Harrison and Helen Gilbert Davidson. She was the wife of the late Wallace M. Briel for nine years before his passing in 1987. A homemaker, Evelyn was a member of Derry Presbyterian Church in Hershey where she was involved in Vacation Bible School and scouting. She also spent countless hours volunteering in the kitchen. She was a 1946 graduate of Fitchburg (MA) High School. She was employed part time for many years by Hotel Hershey in the gift shop. One of her most rewarding endeavors was her involvement with The Ships Project for which she knotted wool caps for US military personnel who were wounded while serving in Iraq. She is survived by five children, Thomas C., Jr., husband of Claudia J. Stephan Stephens, of Elizabethtown, Robert A. Stephens and Jeffrey P. Stephens, both of Palmyra, Susan S., wife of Glenn D. Wolfe, of Middletown, DE, and Laura L., wife of Dwight J. Petruchik, of Honeoye Falls, NY; 10 grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers and a sister. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 2:00 PM at John S. Sell Memorial Chapel, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA with Rev. Deborah Valiton-Carnish officiating. Interment will be private. There will be no viewing. The family will greet guests at a light luncheon at Masonic Village immediately following the service. Please omit flowers. If desired, contributions may be made to American Red Cross, 1804 North 6th Street, PO Box 5740, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or to Masonic Village Hospice, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. To express a condolence with the family or to watch a webcast of the memorial service beginning the day following the service, visit www.spencefuneralservices.