Velma H. Lutz, 86 of Lancaster, passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at home.She was born on March 7, 1929 in Millersville, PA.She was the wife of Chester Lutz, to whom she was married for over 61 years.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her three children, Gregory, husband of Melanie R. of Lancaster, Gordon, husband of Melanie K. of Kennett Square, and Norman, husband of Michele of Fort Myers, Florida.She is also survived by five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
She was the daughter of the late John M. Hartman and Cecelia L. Hartman, and the sister of the late Robert J. Hartman.
She finished high school at 16, and drove her mother to North Dakota to pick up her grandfather to take him to Oregon.On her return to Millersville she attended and graduated from Lancaster Business School.She took a job with the State of Pennsylvania in Soil Conservation.She worked in Lancaster, Lebanon and Chester Counties, eventually commuting to Harrisburg.Her next position was working as a secretary for a typewriter repair business.She was in this position when she met and married Chester.She worked as a legal secretary for Samuel F. Musser, Esq. from approximately 1965 through 1970.
She was hired as the Strasburg Borough Secretary in 1970, and later accepted the position of Borough Manager.She was the first person to serve in that capacity.Upon retirement from Strasburg Borough, she began working for St. Joseph Hospital as a medical transcriptionist.While there she was recruited by Calvary Homes as the Director of Volunteers, where she created a gift shop, and coordinated over 100 volunteers.
After her retirement from Calvary Homes, she continued to enjoy working.She continued doing medical transcription for a private physician.She also worked for the Historic Strasburg Inn, initially processing payroll, but eventually handling all human resource matters.
She was the President of her Sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, at Millersville Business School.In this role she volunteered for the United Service Organization (USO).
She served as the President of the National Chrysler Products Club in the 1980's.The Club grew from about 700 members to approximately 2,500 members.As President, Velma and Chester attended car shows and meetings in numerous states.Velma was a Charter Member and Past President of the Strasburg Area Sertoma Club.Velma was a soloist at many church services, weddings and funerals.She also sang on WGAL-TV with Larry Ferrari, a notable Philadelphia-based organist.
She also volunteered as a board member for the Lancaster County Planning Commission, and was a member of the Womens' Auxiliary of the Strasburg Fire Company.
She received a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and a Certificate of Merit from the United States House of Representatives for her service as Strasburg Borough Manager.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg.
Funeral services will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg, 101 South Decatur Street, Strasburg, PA on Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at 11:00AM with Rev. Robert K. Bronkema officiating.Viewings will be held at the church on Tuesday from 6:30PM – 9:00PM and again on Wednesday from 10:00AM until the time of service. The committal service will take place in the adjoining Strasburg Cemetery immediately following the service. Kindly omit flowers. Contributions may be made in Velma's memory to the Strasburg Cemetery Association, c/o John Bachman, 7 South Decatur Street, Strasburg, PA 17579 or to Hospice & Community Care, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. Arrangements entrusted to Murray A. Miller with Reynolds Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., Quarryville, PA.To send an online note of condolence, please visit our website at reynoldsfuneralhome.net.