David J. Ference, 60, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 5, 2011 of natural causes at home.

Born July 31, 1951 in Shamokin, PA, he was the son of the late Audrey A. (Schuck) Ference.

David and his wife, Kathleen (Brennan) Ference, celebrated their thirty-seventh wedding anniversary in November of this year.  They were married at Saint Joseph Church, Shamokin, PA on November 16, 1974.

David graduated in 1969 from Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School, Shamokin, PA.  During his years at Lourdes he was a standout wrestler and held many records as well as a national scholastic record for the fastest pin in his weight class.

He was the first wrestler in the school's history to receive a full Division 1 scholarship to a major university.  He graduated from Temple University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy and was a member of the Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity.

Throughout his career David touched the lives of numerous patients and colleagues, beginning in 1974 as a pharmacist at Rea and Derick.  He also worked as a manager pharmacist for Weis Markets in Lancaster, PA for 21 years.  From 2006 to 2010 he worked at Royer Pharmacy.  Most recently he worked for Ganse Apothecary, Lancaster, PA.  Along the way he mentored many future pharmacists, including his son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan David and Kimberly Ference.

Mr. Ference was a member of the Lancaster County Pharmacists Association where he served on the scholarship committee.  He belonged to Saint John Neumann Catholic Church.  He was a former member of their Parish Council and served as an Extraordinary Minister.

In addition to his wife he is survived by their three children, Dr. Jonathan David, husband of Dr. Kimberly Ference, of Franklin Township, PA; Mary Ference, wife of  Jason Asbell, Esq. of Clarks Summit, PA; Maureen Ference, wife of Christopher Trunk, of Woodridge, IL.  Also surviving are two grandchildren: Jack Ference and Dane Asbell.  He is also survived by loving brothers and sisters-in-law and his 13 nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, December 9, 2011 at 10am at St. John Neumann Catholic Church 601 E. Delp Rd. Lancaster, PA 17601 with The Rev. Msgr. Richard Youtz as Celebrant and The Rev. Chester Snyder as Con-Celebrant. Visitations will be held on Thursday from 7-9PM with a Christian Prayer Service at 8:15PM at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 3110 Lititz Pike Lititz, PA 17543 and again at the church from 9-10AM on Friday. Private interment will be in St. Edward's Cemetery, Shamokin, PA. Contributions may be made in David's memory to the Lancaster County Pharmacists Association Scholarship Fund:  Lancaster County Pharmacists Association Scholarship Fund care of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association Educational Foundation 508 North 3rd Street Harrisburg, PA 17101. To send the family an online condolence, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-5100