Memorial Trees
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Anonymous
April 15, 2025
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Anonymous
April 11, 2025
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Anonymous
March 22, 2025
Memorial trees planted for:
Duane F. Raber
<p>Duane F. Raber, 77, of Hellam Township, died March 16, 2025. He was the loving husband of Ruth (Enfield) Raber. Duane and Ruth were married for 57 years on September 29, 2024.</p><p><br></p><p>Born June 25, 1947 in York, he was the son of the late Dorothy Louise (Seibert) and Harry Martin Raber.</p><p><br></p><p>Duane retired in 2002 after 32 years with the York City School District. He began teaching World Cultures in 1970 and developed a Criminology course for William Penn High School. He also served as head wrestling coach. Eventually he transitioned into the role of Attendance and Security Administrator. In 1994, Duane established a Safe School Academy to train school personnel in school safety and crisis response. He was a member of several local, state, and national School Safety and Security Associations. He served in leadership consulting, testified before the United States Congressional Committee on School Violence and taught a Gang Violence course at Harrisburg Area Community College. Earlier in his career he served as Hellam Township Police Officer and worked as a Pennsylvania State Constable.</p><p><br></p><p>Duane was a 1965 graduate of Dover Area High School where he was active in wrestling, soccer, baseball and the Boy Scouts of America. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Elizabethtown College in 1970 and his Masters + 30 from Western Maryland College. He was an active member of Highmount Community Church, Hawk Gunning Club, York County History Center, Historic Wrightsville, Inc., Codorus Valley Area Historical Society, South Central Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, Sons of the American Legion, Susquehanna Fish and Game, and the Wrightsville Cemetery Association where he served on the board. Duane volunteered with both Servants of Red Lion and Helping Hands of York. He was also a member of Riverside Lodge No. 503, F.&A.M. where he was a Past Master and currently served as the Trustee of the Lodge. He was a 32nd Degree Mason. He was also a member of the Harrisburg Consistory and York Forest #30, Tall Cedars of Lebanon.</p><p><br></p><p>More recently, Duane began studying his family genealogy and preserving local history. Duane was instrumental in the restoration, preservation, and education efforts surrounding Mount Pisgah Cemetery in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania. Duane worked with his Masonic Lodge to restore the headstones of 11 Civil War veterans at Mount Pisgah Cemetery.</p><p><br></p><p>Duane loved God and the church. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and cherished his time hunting and fishing with his friends from Lodge Ness and Bay City. Family was very important to Duane. He loved being with his family and especially watching his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in all their activities.</p><p><br></p><p>In addition to his wife, Ruth, he is survived by his son, Dr. Troy Raber and his wife, Dr. Bethany Lewallen of Magnolia, DE; daughter, Tanya Raber Vera and her husband, Anthony Vera of Hellam Township; 3 grandchildren, Storme Schmit, Griffin Raber, and Carys Raber; 2 great grandchildren, Rayne Schmit and River Schmit; 2 brothers, Larry Raber of Dover and Dennis Raber (twin brother) and his wife, Jackie of York; and numerous nieces, nephews and their children. He was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Connie Raber.</p><p><br></p><p>Following cremation, a visitation will be held Friday, May 2, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Etzweiler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, 700 Hellam Street, Wrightsville. A Masonic Service will be conducted by his lodge on May 2nd at the end of the viewing at the funeral home. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Highmount Community Church, 5835 Furnace Road, York.</p><p><br></p><p>In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hellam Township Police K-9 Unit, 35 Walnut Spring Road, York, Pa 17406; Wrightsville Cemetery Association for Mt. Pisgah Cemetery, P.O. Box 362, Wrightsville, PA 17368; or to Highmount Community Church, 5832 Furnace Road, York, PA 17406.</p><p><br></p><p>Arrangements by the Etzweiler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, 700 Hellam Street Wrightsville, PA 17368.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>June 25, 1947 - March 16, 202506/25/194703/16/2025
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