Elizabeth R. Mccleaf

Elizabeth R. McCleaf died at SpiriTrust Lutheran, The Inn at Luther Ridge, on September 4, 2017 at the age of 103. Elizabeth was the daughter of Samuel Gilbert Bucher and Sarah (Mundorff) Bucher. She was the wife of Francis E. McCleaf, to whom she was married for 59 years. Her mother died when she was 16, and though she took care of her sister, Margaret, and younger brother, Crowell, including cooking meals for the family's farm hands, she completed her education at Arendtsville Vocational High School, graduating in 1932. She lived in the Gettysburg vicinity on one of the last properties in the area that was part of William Penn's Manor of the Masque. The homestead had been in the family since 1842 and was recognized by the Department of Agriculture as one of Pennsylvania's Century Farms. She lived on the family farm until the age of 101, with the help of her daughter, Sue McCleaf Nespeca, and son-in-law, Gil Nespeca, who left their Ohio home in 2007 to assist her. After Gil's death, she moved to a house Sue purchased in Cashtown and resided with her until moving to the Inn at Luther Ridge. She enjoyed homemaking her entire life, always planting a large garden and canning various fruits every summer. Her last canning of peaches was at the age of 102, after which she declared she was done canning for her lifetime. Her family also states that she made the best pies in the US, and in their travels, tried to find some that were better, but were never successful. Also a talented seamstress, she worked for many years at The Village Shop in Gettysburg, a men and women's clothing store, as their tailor. After the store closed, people still sought her out, including those who had moved out of state and returned for a visit. Religion and music were a very important part of her life, and at 103, she was the oldest member of Flohr's Lutheran Church, McKnightstown. She had been a church organist, Sunday School pianist and member of its Golden Rule Sunday School Class. It is known that at least three generations of her family were members of this church. Information prior to that is unknown because church records were destroyed when Robert E. Lee's Army camped in the area before continuing to Gettysburg. She also attended St. Luke Lutheran Church in Chambersburg, while living at Luther Ridge. She was a founding member of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Cashtown Fire Department, and was very active, helping every year with their Fireman's Fair. In 1997, she won the Mary I. Biesecker Award for long-term service and dedication to Cashtown Fire Company. As a member of the McKnightstown/Cashtown Senior Citizens group, for many years she was in charge of arranging bus tours to various locations. She also received a certificate of recognition and appreciation for her many years of faithful dedication to specific monthly needs of the AARP Adams County Chapter #2635 and regularly attended Upper Adams Prayer Breakfasts. Elizabeth is survived by her sons: Larry E. McCleaf, Hanover, Ronald F. (Phyllis) McCleaf, Halifax, daughter, Sue McCleaf Nespeca, Cashtown, eight grandchildren: Larry (Christi) McCleaf, Tom (Becky) McCleaf, Sarah (Nick) Ruffner, Chantel (Mike) Harris, Coye (Linda) Shoop, Cristy (Robert) Lucia, Lisa Nespeca (Greg Sanders) and John (Meghan) Nespeca; thirteen great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death was her husband Francis McCleaf, parents, S. Gilbert and Sarah Bucher, sister A. Margaret Bucher, brother Crowell G. Bucher, son-in-law Gilbert L. Nespeca, and also recently deceased Bernadette Tinker. She will be joining beloved cat, Goldie, who died a month prior to her. The family especially thanks her niece, Joan Bucher Reeve, and good friend, Teresa Olinger, for all their help and support over the years with her care, particularly when her daughter was also tending to her seriously ill husband. The family is so grateful for the loving care she received from every employee at SpiriTrust Lutheran, The Inn at Luther Ridge in Chambersburg, feeling there was no better place she could have lived the last months of her life, and for the care given by SpiriTrust Lutheran Hospice, Chambersburg. Professional services are being handled by Dugan Funeral Home, Inc., 111 S. Main Street, Bendersville. A viewing at Flohr's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 595 Flohr's Church Road, McKnightstown, will be held Thursday, September 7 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will take place at the church at 10:30 AM on Friday, September 8 with ReverendMarty Young, Flohr's Lutheran Church, and Reverend Christopher Frye, St. Luke Lutheran Church, Chambersburg, officiating. Interment will be in Flohr's Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be sent to Flohr's Lutheran Church, 595 Flohr's Church Road, McKnightstown, PA 17343; SpiriTrust Lutheran, The Inn at Luther Ridge, 2735 Luther Drive, Chambersburg, PA 17202; or St. Luke Lutheran Church, 2695 Luther Drive, Chambersburg, PA 17202.