In 1979, Simeon United Lutheran Church, Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, celebrated the 10th anniversary of the union of its Lutheran and Reformed congregations. As part of the festivities, a book authored by Lynn C. Schadle was released which detailed the history of the church and contained a listing of all burials in the Gratz Union Cemetery. Above, Lynn C. Schadle is shown presenting the first copy of the book to Kathryn [Dietrich] Gasbarro who financed the publication in memory of her parents, William Dietrich and Helen [Hoffman] Dietrich, life-long members of the church, both of whom passed away in 1977.
The dedication of the history book included the following statement:
Presented to the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of William and Helen Dietrich
William Edward Dietrich was born 15 November 1896 at Lykens, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Edward Dietrich and Jennie [Keiper] Dietrich. The Rev. Edgar J. Heilman confirmed William on 30 October 1915. The wife of William Dietrich, Helen May Hoffman, was born 10 May 1895, the child of Elizabeth Catherine Riegle and George Hoffman. She was confirmed by Rev. Edgar James Heilman on 4 November 1911, at Simeon Church. Her baptism was administered by Rev. Jonathan Stauffer on 22 September 1895.
The lives of both William E. Dietrich and Helen May Dietrich are inseparably bound with the history of Simeon Church. Helen’s parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents were all members of Simeon church from their earliest days. All were laid to rest in the church cemetery.
The Dietrichs were joined in Holy Matrimony on 2 March 1915 by Pastor Heilman.
Two children were born to William Dietrich and Helen Dietrich: Mrs. Kathryn [Dietrich] Gasbarro, New Jersey, and Harold Dietrich of Daytona Beach, Florida.
William Dietrich and Helen Dietrich have six (6) grandchildren and one (1) great-grandchild.
In addition to the book dedication, the 10th anniversary program included a colonial-style service conducted in the tradition of Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg when he translated the liturgy into English in 1750. The anniversary service was conducted by Rev. William T. Walton, who gave one of Muhlenberg’s sermons.
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The photograph of the book presentation was taken by Kirby Rhoads; it appeared in the Upper Dauphin Sentinel in 1979.