Obituary of E. Dale Hornberger

E. Dale Hornberger, 90, of Elizabethtown, PA, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, October 22, 2018, at the Masonic Health Care Center in Elizabethtown after a brief illness. Born in Ephrata, he was the son of the late E. Dwight and A. May High Hornberger. He graduated from Ephrata High School before moving to Manheim where he lived and worked for most of his life. He was preceded in death by his beloved first wife of 57 years, Marjorie Hess Hornberger, who passed in 2007. He is survived by his loving wife of 10 years, Chris Brent Hornberger. He is also survived by his son, Douglas Hornberger and daughter-in-law, Betsy, of Raleigh, NC; three grandchildren, Jennifer Anne Justice and husband, Chas Justice of Charleston, SC; Allison Leigh Hornberger, and William Douglas Hornberger, both of Raleigh; and two great grandchildren, Grace McCoy Justice and John Charles Justice, III, of Charleston. He also leaves three step-children, Robert Brent of Baltimore, MD, Laura Sainty of Austin, TX, and Carole Sheffield of Wilmington, NC; four step-grandchildren, as well as four step-great grandchildren. After marrying Marjorie, Dale served two years in the U.S. Army stationed at Camp Polk in DeRidder, LA. Upon returning from duty, he worked as a Credit Manager at the former U.S. Asbestos Co., in Manheim and in sales at both the Stirling Insurance Agency and at Fenner Drives, formerly the Manheim Manufacturing and Belting, Co., from which he retired in 1994. Dale was very active in his church and in his community. A long-time and former member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Manheim, he served as president of the Consistory, taught Sunday school, and sang in the choir. Since moving to Elizabethtown, he was a member of John S. Sell Memorial Chapel. He was former president of the Manheim Chamber of Commerce, former president of the Manheim Central Band Parent's Association and former president of the H.C. Burgard Parent-Teachers' Association. He was a former member of the Manheim Lodge No. 587, F&AM and currently a member of the Abraham C. Treichler Lodge No. 682, F&AM in Elizabethtown. He was also a member of the Lancaster Lodge of Perfection and the Reading Consistory. Upon moving to the Masonic Village, he became active in volunteer work there. Dale lived a Christian life, devoted deeply to God, to his family, and to his country. He was a lover of classical and concert band music, an avid photographer and a watercolor artist. A devout conservative and member of the Republican Party, Dale was a prolific writer of "Letters to the Editor" featured in the Lancaster Newspaper. His opinions are sure to be missed by like-minded readers. Dale will also be remembered for his keen sense of humor and his ability to quickly remember and to tell a joke, often corny but usually apropos, for almost any occasion or situation. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday morning, October 26, 2018 at 11:00 AM at John S. Sell Memorial Chapel on the campus of Masonic Village in Elizabethtown. There will be no public viewing. The family will receive guests at Sell Chapel on Friday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Private interment will be in Manheim Fairview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution be made to Masonic Children's Home, Office of Gift Planning, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. To express a condolence with the family or to watch a webcast of the service beginning Saturday morning, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.