Person Page - 1453

     Joseph Lamar Watkins was born on 10 May 1905, Tower City, Schuylkill County, PA.¹ He was the son of James B. Watkins and Nancy Jane McCarthy.² Joseph Lamar Watkins married Leana Klinger, daughter of Charles Allen Klinger and Sadie Cecilia Lenker, on 20 April 1935, Quarryville, Lancaster County, PA.^1,3 Joseph Lamar Watkins died on 5 November 1972, Polyclinic Hospital, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, PA, at age 67.^2,1
Newspaper obituary:
Tower City Merchant Dies At 67
Joseph L. Watkins, 67, 947 E. Grand Tower City, one of Tower City's most prominent citizens, died Sunday morning at Polyclinic Hospital.
Mr. Watkins was born in Tower City, son of the late James B. and Nancy Jane McCarthy Watkins. He was president of Watkins Motors and Tower Sales both of Tower City.
With his late brother, Delton, Mr. Watkins founded Tower Sales Inc. and developed the company into the leading business petroleum distributorship in the area.
He was active in community affairs. He was a director of the Tower City National Bank, a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Tower City; the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association; the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Shamokin; St. David's Society of Schuylkill County; Ashlar Lodge No. 570, Free and Accepted Masons and other Masonic orders, and was a charter member and past president of Tower City Rotary Club.
Suriving are his widow, the former Leana Klinger of Williamstown; two children, Jayne, wife of O. Evan Hartehstine, Allentown; Scott, a student at Colgate University, Hamilton, N.Y; one sister, Mrs. Corrine Kopp Morristown, N.J. one brother, Clyde Watkins, Tower City.
Funeral services will be held in Wesley United Methodist Church at the convenience of the family Wednesday with his pastor, the Rev. Elmer C. Clouser officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. The Stewart Dreisigacker Funeral Home has charge.
Pottsville Republican, November 6, 1972, Page 2.²
He was buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Tower City, Schuylkill County, PA.⁴

     Jayne A. Watkins was born on 17 April 1939.^1,2 She was the daughter of Joseph Lamar Watkins and Leana Klinger.¹ Jayne A. Watkins married Olin Evan Hartenstine.¹ Jayne A. Watkins died on 20 August 2023, Maple Shade Meadows Senior Care Facility, Nesquehoning, Carbon County, PA, at age 84.²
Funeral home obituary:
Jayne Hartenstine
April 17, 1939 ~ August 20, 2023 (age 84)
Jayne A. Hartenstine, of Tower City, passed away Sunday morning, August 20, 2023 at Maple Shade Meadows Senior Care Facility, Nesquehoning.
Born on April 17, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Joe and Midge Klinger Watkins. She was a graduate of Centenary Junior College for Women.
Jayne was a director at the former Tower Sales, Incorporated, Tower City.
She was preceded in death by her husband Evan, 2001.
She is survived by her brother, Scott Watkins and his wife Cynthia, Tower City, a nephew, Grant Watkins, Jackson, Wyoming; nieces, Megan DeAngelo and her husband Carlo, Nesquehoning and Heather Zerembo and her husband Bob, Tower City. A great niece and nephew, Sofie and Carlo DeAngelo.
In honoring Jayne's wishes her funeral arrangements will be private with burial taking place in the Greenwood Cemetery.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Tower City is honored to serve Jaynes family. To send condolences to the family visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com.²
She was buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Tower City, Schuylkill County, PA.²

     Olin Evan Hartenstine was born on 7 June 1939.¹ He married Jayne A. Watkins, daughter of Joseph Lamar Watkins and Leana Klinger.¹ Olin Evan Hartenstine died on 27 October 2001, Hershey, Dauphin County, PA, at age 62.¹

     Terry A. Klinger was born on 5 January 1942.^1,2 He was the son of Arthur Allen Klinger and Margaret Emily Hosgood.¹ Terry A. Klinger died on 9 December 2009, at age 67.^2,3
Newspaper obituary:
KLINGER
TERRY A., December 9, 2009 of Tacony, formerly of Williamstown PA. Age 67. Loving father of Jodi L. Hibberd (Kevin). Loving brother of Joann Hopple (Kent) of NC. Grandfather of Rudy Gebauer and Kevin Jr., Daniel and Emily Hibberd. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Terry was a Vietnam veteran and a loyal member of William D. Oxley AL Post 133. Services are private. Donations in his memory to American Cancer Society, 1626 Locust St., Phila. PA 19103, appreciated. Arrangements by WALTER J. MEYERS FUNERAL HOME P.C. Condolences to www.Meyersfh.com
Philadelphia Daily News (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 11 Dec 2009, Fri, Page 36.⁴

     Robert Benton Rettinger was born on 15 February 1916.¹ He was the son of James B. Rettinger and Eva Seip.² Robert Benton Rettinger married Helyn M. Klinger, daughter of Charles Allen Klinger and Sadie Cecilia Lenker.¹ Robert Benton Rettinger died on 13 October 1961, at age 45.^1,3
Newspaper obituary:
Robert Rettinger Fatally Stricken While Officiating
Robert B. Rettinger, 45, of Hillcroft Ave., was stricken with a heart attack while refereeing the Minersville-Kulpmont football game at Minersville on Friday night and was rushed to the Good Samaritan Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival at 9:10 p.m.
He was about to step off a penalty when he suddenly put his hand on the shoulder of Joe Wolfgang and then slumped to the field. The other officials rushed to his assistance. Oxygen from a small unit kept by the Minersville team for emergency use was administered, and the Minersville team physician, Dr. A. E. Valibus, ordered the stricken official taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in the nGood Will ambulance.
Dr. Ralph Lyons of Cressona examined him at the hospital and pronounced him dead. Deputy Coroner Conrad Koch said death was due to a coronary thrombosis.
Having had no previous heart trouble, Rettinger was in apparently good before the game. While waiting to go to the game, he was Joking with neighbors. His fellow officials at the game reported he was in good condition until suddenly stricken.
Robert Rettinger was chief industrial engineer at Alcoa's Cressona Works. He began working for Alcoa in 1942, remained here to work with Day & Zimmerman when the huge plant was used for Army ordnance, and again became associated with Alcoa when the company returned to Cressona in 1945. He was employed as a foreman and received special training at the Lafayette, Ind. plant and entered the industrial engineering division where he moved up to the top position several years ago.
A native of Lykens, he was a son of James B. and Eva Seip Rettinger. He was an outstanding athlete in high school, participating in football, basketball and baseball. He attended Albright College where he studied to become a teacher and was graduated in 1940. While at Albright, he was an outstanding football and baseball player. He continued to play baseball after graduating from college and then became a PIAA official for football, basketball and baseball.
He was employed by General Motors Acceptance Corp. from 1940 to 1942 and during that time advanced his education by attending Ford Business School and taking courses at Penn State.
He was a resident of Schuylkill Haven for 18 years and recently moved to a newly constructed home on Hillcroft Ave.
Active in community affairs, he was a member of the borough Planning and Zoning Commission and of the church council of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the American Institute of Industrial Engineers, Alcoa Al-Cressonian Club, Page Lodge F&AM, the East Ward Social Club and the recently organized Schuylkill County Chapter of the Hall of Fame.
He was married to the former Helen M. Klinger of Lykens, who survives along with a son James, who is employed by Alcoa at New Kensington, a daughter Janet, a student at Susquehanna University, and his parents.
Funeral services were conducted Tuesdey afternoon from the Bast and Detwiler Funeral Home by the Rev. William C. Butts, pastor of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. Burial was made in Schuylkill Memorial Park.
The Call, October 19, 1961, Page 1.²

     Janet L. Rettinger was born on 20 July 1941, Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA.³ She was the daughter of Robert Benton Rettinger and Helyn M. Klinger.¹ Janet L. Rettinger died on 18 March 2023, Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 81.³
Funeral home obituary:
Janet L. (Rettinger) Dewald
July 20, 1941 ~ March 18, 2023 (age 81)
Janet L. Dewald, 81, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Saturday, March 18th, at her residence surrounded by her family. She was known for her kind heart, generosity, wit, and a deep love for time spent with family and dear friends.
Born in Pottsville on July 20, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Helyn (Klinger) and Robert Rettinger.
Janet was the beautiful wife of Joe Dewald, loving mother, sorority sister, loyal friend, and the best Oma.
Janet graduated from Schuylkill Haven High School and Susquehanna University. She was the first female to graduate with a Business Degree from Susquehanna University.
Janet was the owner of Dewald and Lengle Hardware Inc, Friedensburg where she served as the Corporation's Secretary and Treasurer.
She also was an active member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven.
With her big heart, she always made time to give back. She was a former member of Schuylkill Haven Borough Council and volunteered with numerous organizations when her children were in school.
Janet is survived by two daughters, Tanya, wife of Steve Hathaway, of San Clemente CA; Jodi, wife of Dick Evers, of Chandler AZ; a son, Jeff, husband of Angie Dewald, of Schuylkill Haven; seven grandchildren, Layna Hathaway, Aaron Hathaway, Bram Evers, Mia Evers, Sydney Dewald, Josh Dewald and Morgan Dewald; three nieces Jill Gutia, Kimberly Schroeder, and Sharon Davis. Janet is also survived by a brother, James, husband of JoAnn Rettinger, of Rocky River, OH.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a grandson Zachary Dewald.
Visitation will be held at 2 pm followed by a Celebration of Janet’s Life at 3:00 PM on Saturday, June 24th with Rev. Mark Dewald and Rev. Timothy Dewald officiating.
More service details to come.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901.⁴

     Edward Walter Updegrave was born on 12 August 1920, Tower City, Schuylkill County, PA.³ He was the son of Walter Updegrave and Jennie Travitz.² Edward Walter Updegrave died on 14 January 2008, Lancaster, Lancaster County, PA, at age 87.³
Newspaper obituary:
Edward "Ted" Walter Updegrave, 87, of Lancaster, passed away surrounded by his family at home on Monday, January 14, 2008.
Born in Tower City, PA, he was the son of the late Walter Updegrave and Jennie Travitz Updegrave. Ted was the husband of Donna Marie, in which they celebrated 64 years of marriage together.
Ted was employed by AMP Inc., (TYCO) as a quality control manager for 40 years. He was a Veteran of World War II serving in the Army Air Corps. He was a 32nd degree Master Mason, belonging to the F & AM William S. Snyder Lodge #756 and the Zembo Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. for 51 years.
He was also an avid hunter and fisherman. Ted also enjoyed the beach. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was a member of Grandview United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Donna; his daughter, Amber Trevisan: son-in-law, David Trevisan; granddaughters, Lauren and Kelly Trevisan, all of Lancaster; and a sister, Blanche Ulsh of Liverpool, PA. He was preceded in death by 10 brothers and sisters.
Friends and relatives are respectfully invited to attend the celebration of life service on Saturday, January 19th, 2008 from the Grandview United Methodist Church, 888 Pleasure Road, Lancaster, PA 17601 at 11 a.m. There will be a visitation with the family at the church from 10-11 a.m. Both a Mason, service as well as the Honor Guard will be present. Interment is private and at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to PAWS, P.O. Box 1037, Lynnwood, WA 98046. (www.PAWS.org) or to Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
Arrangements are under the care of Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home and Chapel, Lititz, 560-5100.
Published January 17, 2008 in Patriot News, Harrisburg, PA.^2,4