Obituary of Harold M. Benfer, 78

Harold M. Benfer, 78, of Millheim, passed from this life on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at Mount Nittany Medical Center. Born October 15, 1937 on the Isle of Que in Selinsgrove, Harold is a son of the late Irvin H. and Helene R. (Swineford) Benfer. He was a 1955 graduate of East Penns Valley High School and went on to attain his barber license from the Philadelphia Institute of Barbering School. Harold married the love of his life, Harriet E. Paige on March 17, 1957. Harriet survives at their home.

After attaining his license, Harold barbered alongside his father at Benfer’s Barbershop in Millheim. When Irv retired, Harold continued running the barbershop until his retirement in 2006. Harold loved and took great pride in his barbering profession, building many friendships that spanned several generations. It was a place where local men visited, and world problems were solved.

Harold was a member of the Black Panther Riding Club and the Millheim Lions Club. He served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Millheim TV Transmission Company for many years. Harold loved to travel the back roads to camp in his Ford Ranger. He and Harriet also enjoyed traveling to the Outer Banks in North Carolina.

In addition to his wife, Harold is survived by one son, H. Mark Benfer, Jr. (Ann) of Millheim, two daughters; Susan M. Hull (Jeff) also of Millheim and Shari Ann Dillon (Mike) of Spring Mills; eight grandchildren, Amanda (Jon), Joshua (Megan), Ethan, Lucas, Elliot, Ben, Sara and Liam and two great grandchildren, Max and Emma. Also surviving is one sister Jerelene Reish (Barry) of Millheim and one brother, James D. Benfer (Cynthia) of Angola, IN.

Special thanks for the excellent care given to Harold and his family by the staff of Mount Nittany Medical Center and Cancer Care Partnership.

Family and friends will be received on Saturday, June 4th from 9-noon at the Steven R. Neff Funeral Home in Millheim. The memorial service will follow at noon with Pastor S. Leigh Pick officiating. Harold will be laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Contributions in memory of Harold may be given to New Hope Lutheran Church Food Pantry, Po Box 96, Spring Mills, PA 16875.