Obituaries

Erma Bell Forry, 95

October 01, 2017

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Erma Bell Forry, who was also a wife, sister, teacher and friend. She was born on July 18, 1922, to Michael and Mattie (Martha) Bell. She attended country school in Hummelstown and graduated early from Hummelstown High School, then went on to Elizabethtown College. She played basketball there and was later inducted into their Sports Hall of Fame. After graduating from college, she obtained her Master’s Degree in Education at Temple University. She was the first person in her family to obtain advanced-educational degrees.
Erma had a 10-year career as a teacher of typing and business practices at Elizabethtown High School, where she was also a class advisor. She was beloved by her students, many of whom she kept in contact with, attending their class reunions as recently as last year.
Erma married Jonathan D. Forry in 1953, and they enjoyed a 62-year marriage. Typical of the time, Jonathan ran his business at Keller Bros. Auto Company in Lititz, and Erma ran the household and raised their three daughters. She was an active member of the Lititz Church of the Brethren, where she was a member of the Christian Education Committee, editor of the church newspaper, and Sunday School teacher. For many years she served as the treasurer for Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional society for women educators.
Erma was strong in constitution and spirit, and had a practical, common sense approach to life. Nicknamed “Red” for her flaming red hair, she had the ability to light the room with her unabashed sense of humor and fun-loving nature. Her daughters remember sledding with her in the winter and swimming with her in the ocean in the summer. Erma loved taking family vacations to historical places, always looking for a “teaching moment”. She enjoyed cooking traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dishes, as well as canning and baking. It was not unusual for her to bake a dozen different kinds of cookies at Christmastime. She loved spending time with family, particularly with her three grandchildren, whom she adored.
Erma was preceded in death by her husband, Jonathan, who died in 2016. She is survived by her daughters, Julia Hyser of Lancaster, PA, Suzanne Forry of Rockville, MD, and Donna Forry (husband David Peters) of Ventura, CA, and grandchildren, Meredith Schaudies Shimp (husband Jesse), Jonathan Schaudies, and Mattie Peters, as well as a step-daughter, Kathleen Moyer. Special thanks to the loving caregivers who cared for both our parents in their last years.
There will be a private family burial at Memory Gardens, Ephrata. A public memorial service will be held at the Lititz Church of the Brethren, 300 W. Orange St., Lititz, PA on October 14, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. (visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m.).

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Condolences to the Family

October 13, 2017

To the daughters of Erma Bell Forry …..I had no idea my special commerical teacher at EHS in 1946/47 was in the area. What a lovely person “Ms. Bell” if I may say so. I was one of her special students who excelled in Shorthand in 1947 and she worked me often alone to even do better. My personal sympathy to all of you and families. A sense of humor she indeed had and loved her laugh. May Erma Rest In Peace of the Lord. Our EHS class of ’47 had our 70 class reunion on Sat. Oct. 7th. Rita (Weiss) Boyer, Lancaster

October 11, 2017

To the family of Erma Bell Forry. I last saw Erma about 2 mos. ago. We reminisced about high school days (she being my teacher) and she always asked me how my husband was. (He died in 2002 of Alzheimer’s Disease) But we had a good time. She was eating lunch and she wanted me to eat some of her lunch.
I tried to keep in contact with her as time allowed. I will miss her very much. My deepest sympathy to all of you in your loss.
Lovingly,
Mary Coble Reheard
Class of ’46
Sorry I can’t be there for the service. I have company from Washington state.

October 10, 2017

I think of Erma as practical, earthy, unpretentious and a workhorse! All things gone with efficiency and excellence! I especially enjoyed her humor; clever word play and puns all done with her mischievous grin. I had the utmost admiration for her total commitment to her family, beliefs and to being her unvarnished self. Dear Erma, thank you most of all, for giving me my best friend, Donna. I see many of your best qualities in her!
I have faith we will meet again. Rest easy, Erma.
Holly Tibbles

October 09, 2017

Thinking of your family and know you are all blessed with Erma in your life. She was a special person in ours. We are sorry we will not be able to attend the service due to other plans. She has a good family who cared. Nancy and Dick Cummings

October 09, 2017

Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Erma was a character, she and your father were wonderful people and kind and thoughtful neighbors. May her soul rest in peace.
With sincere sympathy, Joan Macfarlane

October 09, 2017

So sorry to read about Erma. Your obituary described her to a t! Sense of humor, commitment to a job well done, and an interesting professional career rather typical of women her age. Imagine losing your job when you marry! Quite a loss for your family, as I have missed her at Delta Kappa Gamma meetings. Every time I ask the speaker to speak up, I think of your mother!
Sincerely, Marcia Trach

October 08, 2017

We did not get to know Erma until our son married Donna. She was a warm, jovial and talented woman – a great hostess. Because of distance, we did not get to spend enough time with her and husband Jonathan. She had a wonderful life and will be sorely missed. It was a blessing to have known her and Jonathan.
Most Sincerely, Joyce and Dick Peters

Visitation: Saturday, October 14, 2017; 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM; Lititz Church of the Brethren; 300 W. Orange St.; Lititz, PA 17543
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Services: Saturday, October 14, 2017; 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM; Lititz Church of the Brethren; 300 W. Orange St.; Lititz, PA 17543
Map and Directions: Get Maps and Directions >