Barbara J. (Keister) Merck

YORK-Barbara J. (Keister) Merck, 80, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at her residence. She was the wife of Frederick R. Merck to whom she was married 23 years. A celebration of life service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 19, 2011 at Life Tributes by Olewiler & Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 35 Gotham Place, Red Lion, with Certified Celebrant, Amanda Kaluzny officiating. A visitation will be held 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Canadochly Cemetery. Mrs. Merck was born February 11, 1931 in York, a daughter of the late Whentle E. and Margaret E. (Sullivan) Keister. She enjoyed traveling with her husband to Europe, Canada and locally, where they would visit friends and family. Mrs. Merck was a very loving, caring, and giving person who cherished her family, her cats, and her granddogs. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Douglas E. Shaffer and wife, Melissa J., and Timothy W. Shaffer and wife, Sandra B. all of York; a daughter Shelley J. Metzler of York; five grandchildren; a sister Lois J. Shaffer of Reynoldsburg, OH; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister, Trudy Breighner: and her cat, Pumpkin of 17 years. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to S.P.C.A., 3159 Susquehanna Trail N, York PA 17406.