Bertha A. Purcell

YORK - Bertha A. (Frantz) Purcell, 103, died at 11:15 p.m. Friday, September 21, 2007 at the York Lutheran Home. She was the wife of the late James Burke Purcell. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Everhart-Jackson-Heffner Funeral Home, 1551 Kenneth Rd., York with military rites by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. Burial will be in Gettysburg National Cemetery. Viewing will be 9:30 to 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Officiating at the service will be the Rev. Diane G. Wenthe. Mrs. Purcell was born September 5, 1904 in Roundtown, Manchester Twp. She was the daughter of the late Edward and Lillie (Spangler) Frantz. She was a seamstress retiring from the former Triumph Hosiery in York. She was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church and was a life member of the Lutheran Home Auxiliary. She was also a life member of the York Chapter #0331 of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. Mrs. Purcell was an Army Veteran serving during World War II in the Third Service Command. In 1970 she was elected as the first woman to ever serve as Commander of the Red Lion American Legion Post #543 where she had been active in all Post activities. She was a Deputy Commander of the 22nd District American Legion and was a member of the District's Past Post Commanders Club. She was a member and Past President of the Ladies Auxiliary #1446 of the Red Lion Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and the Pennsylvania Past Presidents Association of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary 127 American Legion in York; the York County Veterans Honor Guard; the Joint Veterans Council and the York American Department of Veterans Affairs. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 839 W. Market St., York, PA 17404 or to the American Heart Association, 140 Roosevelt Ave., Suite 208, York, PA 17404.