Miriam Ryder

Miriam Katherine (Lehman) Ryder, age 87, of Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA, died Saturday morning, August 16, 2014 at Penn Hall. Born April 9, 1927 in Newville, she was a daughter of the late Diller and Elizabeth J. Thumma Lehman. Her husband, William L. Ryder, Sr., whom she married January 26, 1947, preceded her in death on February 19, 2009.

She and her late husband, Bill, were the founders of Ryder Supply Company in Chambersburg. She worked at the business until her retirement in 2001. Miriam enjoyed sewing and made many articles of clothing for her children as they were growing up. She was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, the Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce and the Chambersburg Hospital Auxiliary.

She is survived by three daughters, Connie (and husband, Dr. Michael) Petracek of Nashville, Carolyn (and husband, Richard) Foust, Anna (and husband, Ernest Bert Sr.), all of Chambersburg; one son, William L. Ryder Jr. (and wife, Linda) of Nashville; ten grandchildren, Kristen Meyer of Colorado, Kara Petracek of Georgia, Katherine Petracek of Tennessee, James Foust of North Carolina, Joseph Foust of Hawaii, Ellen Bert, Ernie Bert, Jr., and Meagan Bert, all of Chambersburg, Erin Birklid of Washington, and Neal Ryder of North Carolina; and nine great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by six sisters, Evelyn, Romaine, Geraldine, Isabelle, Caroline, and Beatrice; and one brother, Donald.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, August 20, 2014, in the Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA with Chaplain Adam Leeper officiating. Interment will follow at Lincoln Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Summit Palliative Care, 112 North Seventh Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201.