Donald Reber

Donald Reber, 93, of Sinking Spring, passed away Friday December 11, 2020 at 11:15 pm in the Reading Hospital after a brief illness.

Born in Lebanon, PA, he was a son of the late Mark Reber and Maggie Marie  (Naftzinger) Reber.  He was the widower of Marie Elizabeth (Keffer) Reber, who passed away May 8, 1992, with whom he shared 42 joyous years of marriage.

Donald was a 1944 graduate of Wilson High School, West Lawn, PA and attended one year of college at Penn State University, Kutztown, PA, majoring in Mechanical Engineering.  He was employed for over 40 years in the telephone industry beginning as Assistant Manager of the Bethel & Mt. Aetna Telephone Company and later the Emmaus Telephone Company. Through industry mergers he was successively employed by General Telephone, Contel and retired from Verizon.  He was a member of the Independent Telephone Pioneers of America for over 28 years and served as president and treasurer of the Bertha B. Blair Telephone Pioneer Club.

In his youth, Donald achieved the rank of Life Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and later served as a Jr. Assistant Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster.  He had an unshakeable faith and was devoted to his church, St. John’s German Lutheran Church of Reading, PA, where he served over 41 years on the congregational council, serving as President for 5 years, Vice President for 1 year, Assistant Treasurer for 3 years and Treasurer for over 25 years; upon his retirement in 2019 he continued as a consultant to the church.  Donald also served as Cemetery Superintendent for over 24 years and as President of the Capital Campaign.

Donald was an outstanding home handyman, bringing the art of maintenance and improvements to near perfection, his family calling the results “A Reber Job.”  He had a lifelong love of cars and kept a detailed album of every car he ever owned, performed his own maintenance and rebuilt engines.  He enjoyed model railroading and visiting railroad museums.  But most of all he cherished his family, with whom he enjoyed continuous visits, holidays, trips and vacations.  He raised his children to be honest, faithful, vibrant adults who continue their lives following his example.

Mr. Reber is survived by his children Martin D. Reber, husband of Sandra L. (Cowan) Reber of Kennett Square; Barbara Ann Simpson, wife of Scott W. Simpson of Nazareth; and Christine L. Reber of Northampton.  He is also survived by his grandchildren Thomas M. Reber; Megan L. (Reber) Telson, wife of Joshua Telson; Tara L. Simpson; Jarod S. Simpson, husband of Carolyn (McNamara) Simpson; and Lena M. Kugelman. He is also survived by his great grandchildren Phillip M. Reber, Patrick L. Reber, Isabel A. Telson and Alma O. Telson. Mr. Reber is also survived by brothers Mark Reber, Jr. of Devon, PA and Richard Reber, husband of Gail C. (Zimmerman) Reber of Lawrence, KS; and 8 nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his brother Roderick Reber and sister Annabelle (Reber) Scalese.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Bean Funeral Home, 3825 Penn Avenue, Sinking Spring, Friday December 18, 2020 from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon.  A private graveside service will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. John’s German Lutheran Church, 521 Walnut St., Reading PA 19601 in memory of Mr. Donald Reber. Bean Funeral Home, Sinking Spring is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com