Walter R. Strouse, 76, of Spring Mills, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 11, 2010, at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville after a short battle with cancer. Walter, son of the late John H. and Mildred M. Bletz Strouse, was born on May 25, 1933, in Greenburr, Clinton County, Pa.
Walter was a 1952 graduate of the Gregg Twp. Vocational School. On June 30, 1952, he married the love of his life, Betty M. Breon. Mrs. Strouse survives at their home in Spring Mills. After they were married Walter and Betty began farming in Spring Mills and continued for 48 years. In 1972 he began working for the Gregg Township Municipality as their road master. In 1981, Walter was appointed as a supervisor for Gregg Twp., a role he continued to serve in until his death.
He was a devoted member of the community and took great pride in caring for the roads in Gregg Twp. Walter was a member of the Gregg Twp. Ambulance Association from 1977-1983, the Gregg Twp. Fire Co., the Millheim Fire Co., and the Statewide Fireman's Association.
In his free time, Walter enjoyed hunting, fishing, and working on the farm. He and Betty enjoyed visiting flea markets where he would inevitably add to his collection of John Deere memorabilia. Also enjoyed were the times they took bus trips away from the area. Above all, Walter loved spending quality time with his family.
In addition to his wife, Walter is survived by four children; Kenneth W. (Lisa) Strouse, Ronald J. (Tammie) Strouse, Patricia A. (Victor) Rider and Dennis W. (Ceclysta) Strouse; nine grandchildren, Jonathan and Stacey Marino, Sara and Nathan Strouse, Tamara and Christina Vaskovich, Melanie Styers, Rachel Hackenberg, and Latrisha Rachau; and one great grandson, Jacob Marino. Also surviving is one sister, Ruby (Eugene) Long; and four brothers, John (Florence) Strouse, Samuel (Mae) Strouse, Frank (Edna) Strouse and Ricky (Becky) Strouse.
There will be a public visitation on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. at the Steven R. Neff Funeral Home in Millheim. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Michael Covalt officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Millheim. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Walter's memory may be given to Penns Valley EMS, Po Box 650, Millheim, Pa. 16854 or to the Gregg Twp Fire Co., Po Box 82, Spring Mills, and Pa. 16875.