D. LaVerne Stauffer, 86, of Neffsville, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2010 at University of Maryland Hospital.

Former Fire Chief of Neffsville Fire Company for twenty-two years, LaVerne was a member and past president of Lancaster County Firemen's Association, member of PA Pump Primers, a life member of Rough & Tumble, former member of Fiddlers Green Camping Club. He restored, and drove in many parades, his 1927 Deluge Master Fire Engine, and was well known for his very own "Mom & Dad's Fire Co." .

LaVerne was employed for more than twenty years by Graybill's Dairy as a Certified Milk Inspector, and he also drove the bulk milk tanker. He was then employed as District Maintenance Supervisor for Manheim Township School District.; and was a life long member of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

LaVerne is survived by his three children, Donald L. Stauffer, Jr., husband of Michelle, of Egg Harbor Twp., NJ, David E. Stauffer, husband of Linda, of Dover, PA, Marie Royce, wife of Joseph "Joey," of Funkstown, MD, 6 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and sisters, Anna Mary Oberholtzer, of Lancaster, and Geraldine Weidel, of Neffsville. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Polly See, Dorothy Heisey, Irene Hostetter, Vera Rollman, Kenneth Stauffer, and a great-granddaughter.

Relatives and friends were invited to attend LaVerne's Funeral Service on Monday, July 19, 2010 at 11 AM at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10 Delp Road, Lancaster, PA 17601 with Rev. Jacquelyn Roderick officiating. Viewings were held Sunday, July 18, 2010 from 3 until 5 PM and & 7 until 9 PM at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Chapel, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543, and again Monday morning from 10 until 11 AM at the church. Interment took place in St. Peters Lutheran Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Neffsville Fire Co., 200 E. Oregon Road, Lititz, PA 17543 or to St. Peter's Lutheran Church.

Click HERE to see the funeral procession with LaVerne's Deluge Master serving as his hearse.

Sources:

http://obits.lancasteronline.com/index.php?p=2546159

http://www.wgal.com/video/24310297/index.html

http://public.fotki.com/daven/antique_car_shows/fire_truck_muster/1927_prospect_delug.html

D. LaVerne Stauffer - Fellow Apparatus Owner, SPAAMFAA Member and Former Fire Chief of Neffsville Fire Company

A picturee of D. LaVerne Stauffer's 1927 (Prospect?) Deluge Master Firefighter at PA Pump Primers Muster - Photo by Faven via Fotki