Bertha Lena Horst

Bertha L. Horst, 95, of Elizabethtown, PA passed away on June 21, 2026, at the Masonic Health Care Center, Elizabethtown, PA, following an illness of a few months.

Born in Maytown, PA, she was the daughter of the late Harold G. and Mary (Tome) Shireman of Marietta, PA. Bertha was preceded in death by her loving husband of 72 years, James E. Horst, Sr., siblings, Margaret Sager (George), John R. “Bob” Shireman (Betty), James R. “Rich” Shireman (Betty), E. Jane Nell (Edwin), Anna L. Eckman (Charles), Harold L. “Pete” Shireman (Grace), and William T. Shireman (Gloria), two grandsons and one great-grandson.

In 1949, Bertha graduated from Marietta High School where she developed many close, caring friendships and participated in countless programs and activities. Growing up, she attended English Presbyterian Church in Marietta.

Following graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Jim. They lived in Barstow, CA while Jim served in the military service, and then returned to Lancaster County, raising their six children in the village of Chickentown (near Maytown, PA) and later in East Petersburg, PA.

Bertha worked in clerical/secretarial roles for Miller & Bushong/Pennfield Corp., HM Stauffer, and Binkley & Ober. Following retirement Jim and Bertha enjoyed traveling, making two trips with a fifth-wheel camper to Alaska. They also enjoyed living in Florida during the winter, and in northern PA during the summer months.

Bertha was not one to sit idle, and was an avid crafting person. She especially loved making ceramic figurines, piggy banks, Christmas trees, etc., giving them away to her children and grandchildren. She made macrame covers for lawn chairs, enjoyed crocheting, playing cards, bingo, watching old TV westerns and Phillies baseball. Regularly Bertha made greeting cards for her children, grandchildren, and extended family members for birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions.

A woman of faith, Bertha was dedicated to her family. There were camping trips to Maine, Maryland, and an extended trip to the western states. Summers brought reunions and weekends at the swimming pool. As an ice cream lover herself, there were frequent stops with her children for treats at the Twin Kiss in Mount Joy, Martin’s Drive-In near Lancaster, or Good’s Dairy.

Bertha is survived by her children, Linda (Mervin) Garman, James E. Horst Jr. (V. Jean), Bertha Heisey, Harold Horst (Assymola), Debra (Rodney) Winkleman, and Nancy (Kevin) Smith, 17 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, a brother, Charles D. Shireman, of Marietta, PA and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 am on July 31 at Cross Roads BIC Church, Mount Joy, PA. The family will greet guests following the service. Interment will take place at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA at the convenience of the family.