Fifty-three (53) descendants of Henry and
Catherine (Latshaw) Detwiler gathered Saturday, August 20,
2005 to celebrate their 109th reunion. There were
many photographs to share and family history as well. Prior
to the covered-dish meal Mary Ann Springer of Spring City
gave the invocation and then all sang the Doxology
accompanied by Chris Fetters.
After the meal and fellowship time, a group
photo was taken with a background of hand woven quilt
originally owned by George and Hannah Yeager, a gift on
their wedding day, February 28, 1830. (I know they were
related to you, Sandy, but how are they related to Henry and
Catherine—the founders of the reunion?) (George and Hannah
Yeager are Sandy’s 2nd great grandparents. In
checking using the Family Tree Maker program they have no
direct relationship to Henry and Catharine Detwiler).
The business meeting was called to order by
President, Sandy Detwiler Lusch presiding. Secretary, Cecile
Fetters read the minutes of the 2004 Reunion business
meeting and Scott Sifford, Treasurer, gave the Treasurer’s
report. Scott reported that the major expenses are rental
of Camp Innabah facilities for the reunion, mailing of
family newsletters, and gifts to honor people at the
reunion. Scott noted that the amount in the treasury has
been declining over the past 4 years and asked those present
to please be generous when he passes the basket for
donations.
Historian, Dick Lusch had received word of 6
births, 6 deaths, and 5 weddings over the past year and
asked for any other new information on changes in the
family. One birth, one wedding and one death were recorded
at the meeting. Dick also gave a “state of the genealogy
report” over his first year as historian. Dick has entered
all the information from 12 books into the Family Tree Maker
computer program. There are over 3500 names in the
database. Due to the amount of work involved in updating
these files Dick asked for help from anyone who would be
interested in assisting him in keeping these files
up-to-date. He is also giving a copy of the information to
the Phoenixville Historical Society on CD Rom. Any family
member wishing information on his/her “roots” may contact
Dick Lusch.
Dick also suggested adding a “Special
Recognition” category to the Historian’s report and gave the
first installment this year by recognizing Barry E.
Gottshall for “The Airline Pilots Association, International
Superior Airmanship Award”. On Date? (August 18, 2005),
Captain Gottshall landed his American Eagle aircraft under
extreme conditions in Bangor Maine avoiding disastrous
consequences with calm professional response under
pressure. We were honored that Captain Gottshall could join
us for this year’s reunion and bring his parents, Earl and
Jeanne Detwiler Gottshall, to the reunion all the way from
Encinitas, California.
Dave Fetters presented
gifts to the following attendees: the oldest man present was
91-year old Harry Styer, a descendant of Elizabeth; the
oldest lady present was Jean Williams, a descendant of John
Detwiler; the youngest family member recognized was Kellen
Styer, a descendant of Elizabeth Detwiler (Ken Styer did not
know when Kellen was born except he thought he was about 1
year old. He said he would check and let me know when he
found out. I checked the genealogy information he gave me at
the reunion and it only goes up to about 1991, therefore, I
have not entered anything in the program or Historian report
yet), while Earl and Jeanne Gottshall, a descendant of
Abraham, traveled the farthest. Nicole Wells and Richard T.
Lusch, a descendant of John, received a prize for being the
most recently married to attend the reunion. Twenty-eight
descendants of John and Mary Jane Detwiler were the largest
family group represented at this year’s reunion. The other
family lines were challenged to exceed that number at the
110th Reunion in 2006.
April Fetters won the
Game Quiz, which all had had the opportunity to play while
waiting for the business meeting to begin. The family quilt,
made by Martha Weed for the 100th reunion in
1996, is now placed in one family member’s home for one year
and will reside at the home of Scott and Lisa Sifford of
Phoenixville until the 110th Reunion in 2006.
Under “new business”
Sandy asked for suggestions for some special memento of the
110th Reunion, perhaps the family crest imprinted
on some type of keepsake. She has been working on
researching the family crest with her grandson Zachary Zern
and would like to make the family crest a focus of the 110th
Reunion.
The following family members were elected as
officers for the upcoming year: President: Sandy Detwiler
Lusch; Secretary: Cecile Fetters, Treasurer: Scott Sifford,
and Richard H. Lusch, Historian. Next years reunion date
was announced and will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2006
The children enjoyed games while the adults
conducted the business meeting. A Kids Korner with crafts
and activities was also available to the young family
members throughout the afternoon. Games and activities were
coordinated by Mandy & Jim Collier. Fun and prizes made
many memories for the younger members of the Detwiler
family. Swimming and canoeing were enjoyed as well.
Respectfully submitted,
Cecile Fetters, Secretary
