H. Guy Kreider, Cornwall Manor, passed away peacefully early Friday morning. A long time resident of Lebanon, Kreider, who was married to Pauline J. Wealand, was 98.
He retired from PennDOT as their first Executive Secretary of Hazardous Substances Transportation Board, regulating the shipment of hazardous materials over the highways of the Commonwealth. A graduate of Millersville State College in 1929, Kreider was a school teacher in the West Lebanon, Reinoldsville and Cornwall Schools, until he was called upon for active duty as a combat medic. As a member of the 96th Infantry Division, he saw heavy action in the campaigns of Leyte and Okinawa and was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war, for the next 20 years, he was general manager for J.H. Sprecher Auto Transport, overseeing 214 carriers and nearly as many drivers who hauled new Chrysler products from Detroit to points east. Sprecher's was located where Heisey's Diner and ballfield are now.
Kreider was a member of the Board of Directors and a Past President of AAA Central Penn Auto Club. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania AAA Federation Safety Committee and a Board Member of the Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association and President of the Lebanon County Chapter of that organization. He was a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers and served a term as President of its Central Pennsylvania Chapter and enjoyed the fellowship of the Travelers Protective Association for many years after his retirement. Guy was a Past Master of Mt. Olivet Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons and a member of the Harrisburg Consistory and Zembo Shrine. For many years, he played the French Horn in the Lebanon Perseverance Band and the Quittipahilla Tall Cedars. He also enjoyed playing the musical saw, which he played for chapel services in the Phillipine jungles during WWII.
He is survived by his wife, Pauline, sister Lena McKechnie, sons David, husband of JoAnne Santucci of Westminster, Maryland, Bruce, husband of Katherine Bishop, Lebanon, Brian, husband of Lanette Eckert, Hershey, James, husband of Molly Daugherty, New Cumberland, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by parents Walter and Edna Kreider, a sister H. Irene Snavely and a brother Eugene B. Kreider.
Friends may call Tuesday evening 7-9PM at the Christman Funeral Home, 226 Cumberland Street in Lebanon, and Wednesday from 1-2PM at Covenant United Methodist Church, 346 N. 9th St., Lebanon followed by services at 2PM. Masonic service by Mt. Olivet Lodge #704 F&AM at 12:50PM.
online obituary - March 22, 2009