The Street Lamp Memorials In Dewart PA

In 1996 the Dewart Community Association sent letters to those with  family connections to Dewart, asking for donations,  for street lamps.  Donors could write  memorials to be placed on plaques on the lamps. Twenty eight lamps were installed down Main and  River streets, in  August of 1996.  Volunteers poured the cement for the bases. 

Ed Truckenmiller was a school teacher in Dewart.  You can read more about him here

http://heathersgen.blogspot.com/2012/01/edward-truckenmiller-1870-1950.html

I've been known to travel great distances to find tombstones, memorials, and various items of significance to our family histories.  So imagine my surprise to find that as I have been sitting on the porch of the Dewart Country Store (formerly Youngs hardware),  I was sitting just a block and a half away from a memorial to Dan's grandfather and great grandfather, that I had no idea existed!  In all my trips through Dewart, several times a week, I had never noticed the plaques on the street lamps, until one of Dan's aunts came to town for a visit and wanted to find it.  

While I was locating the Truckenmiller marker, I walked both sides of the streets and photographed every plaque, as at least one is already unreadable, I wanted to document them for others who may not have been aware they are there.  I wish I had thought to take along a cloth to clean them before I photographed them, and some day I may return to do a better job.  

The Memorials:

There are two lights without plaques, one light with two plaques, and one plaque so rusted that I could not read it. 

 You can view photos of each of the markers here:

https://www.facebook.com/ValleyGirlViews/posts/pfbid0qwe9e8RDYZ7cmpuisr2ibUvMjr3cirmfn6mANyspGyr3ovufkEccn2AjumRc14cyl

In Memory of David Ira & Mary Auker, WM. C, & Maude Sechler.  Donated by the children of WM A, & Martha Auker Sechler

In Loving Memory of Our Beloved Grandmother MILDRED R. Bieber March 1902-May 31 1985 From her grandchildren Diane & Jody

In Memory of Casimir "Pete" Bulchie We miss our "Mr Fix It" and school project helper.  Veris, Crystal, Veris II, Ariel & Aleah Yordy

In loving memory of Franklin & Maude Clark owner, and operator of Clarks Barber Shop

In memory of Bruce, Bertha, and Cleon Crawford.  Purchased by Jean Crawford, Martin & Sharon Anspach and family

In memory of Bruce & Berth Crawford By Clyde & Teeny Crawford, Joe & Ivalene Crawford Smith, Harvey and Mary Crawford & Families

In Memory Of David G. Dewalt, Former Resident of Dewart, by Dennis G Dewalt & Mary Dewalt Macciocca

In loving memory of my husband ROBERT E HILE local business man 1936-1990 By his wife Nor Hile

In memory of her parents George L & Shirley M Houseknecht from Crystal houseknecht Yordy, Veris, Veris II, Ariel & Aleah Yordy

Dedicated to Walter "Jimmy" Huffman his wife and partner Peart by Paul & George Huffman families.

In Loving Memory of Morris & Helen (Auker) Keiser by their daughters Letha, Caroline, Corolla & Maxine

In loving memory of Mr & Mrs William Kulp (parents) Sherman Kulp (brother) lovingly Sterling Kulp (son) Myrtle Yordy (Daughter)

In loving memory of William L. Leiser July 11 1916-December 10 1991

In loving memory of Ruth and Frank Maneval Francis and Milton McClintock by Connie, Vance, Roger

In loving memory of Mr Thomas Morrone.  Presented by Kenneth & Rose Shively

In Memory of Layment (Lamey) Philips Jr.  Jonas S. Young.  Clifford & Irene Phillips.  Joyce Phillips Vanburskirk

In Loving Memory of Mr & Mrs Hurley Remley, Mr & Mrs Walter Gresh.  Presented by Betty Gresh - Lucille Gresh - William Gresh - Barbara Gresh

In Loving Memory of Hurley R & Letitia V Remley.  Walter R & Mildren E Gresh.  From their families Donald R Carol A Lance K Gresh Judith A Hock, Mary Jane Brantingham

In memory of many happy days best grandma and meme ever Sarah Reynolds Riffel 1875-1955 Helen R Kieser 1906-1964 Dick and Barbie K Campbell, Rick - Nancy - Jeannie - Peggy

In loving memory of Woodrow W. Robbins Sr & son John A Robbins

In memory of C.F. Sheffer, founder of Dewart Milk Products Co.  On this side 1901-1946.  Now home of Cabinet Surplus.  From the Yordy Boys

In memory of Kenneth shively in honor of Louise Shively.

In memory of Wilbert (Jim) and Mary Stahlnecker and Normal and Florence Fogelman

Dedicated to Russell, Nicely, Sterner families by Robert R. N. Sterner

In loving memory of Richard D. Thomas SR 3/18/25-4/28/02.  "One hell of a guy".  From wife Ruth Thomas.  Children: Richard, Susan, Timothy, Thomas

In memory of Pfc John R Thomas killed in action in the service of his country April 1 1945.  Luzon, Philippine Islands

In loving memory of Lewis Donaldson Thomas 1883-1949 and Mary Ellen Reaser Thomas 1891-1977

In memory of Edward & Ward Truckenmiller by the Truckenmiller Family

Courtesty of Watsontown Bank

In memory of Stewart R. Wertman Shool Teacher 1922-1952

In memory of Russell Yordy in honor of Myrtle Yordy from sons Russell Yordy Jr, Roger Yordy, Daughter Sharon Hampton

In memory of Mr & Mrs Ambrose Young, Mr & Mrs Guy Young, Miss Ruby J. Young donated by Guy Young Jr & Doris Moore

Memories Light Up The Town

The Daily Item June 17, 1996

"A community organization is seeking people to donate money to buy street lights in memory of loved ones with ties to Dewart".  

When the lights ;0-on-im- Dewart Street light ceremony planned for Aug. 30 By Karen Blackledge Staff reporter DEWART This town's new street lights will be illuminated for the first time at the end of the month. The lights will be turned on during a ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30 in front of the Dewart General Store on Main Street..

Dignitaries are expected to attend, said Ruth, Thomas, wife of Richard Thomas Sr., President of the Dewart Community. Association. ., The association raised money from people who bought the lights in memory of loved ones with ties to Dewart. The 28 lights, on both sides of Main Street, are an old-fashioned style and similar to those in Lewisburg. , A bronze plaque will be placed on each light.

For example, the light in front of the Thomas home is in memory of Richard Thomas' brother, John, who lived in Dewart and was killed during World War II. Ruth Thomas said the plaques should be installed on the lights in time for the ceremony. "We had a practice session with generators, and the lights are magnificent," she . said. The association mailed letters across the United States to families of people who had lived in Dewart and asked them to purchase a light.

The lights will replace five Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. street lights along Main Street. Volunteers installed the concrete bases, pipes for the light wiring and wiring for the lights while Delaware Township constructed new curbs in Dewart. The curbs, which are accessible to the handicapped, were part , of a stormwater drainage improvement project. That work was financed by a Community Development Block Grant.

The township will maintain the lights and pay the electric bill. The trees, between the sidewalk and curbs along Main Street, were removed for the new curbs. New trees will be planted this fall with help from a PP&L grant..

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