Wayne “Snack” Howard Anspach departed his earthly home on Sunday, May 26, 2019 at age 89, surrounded by his loving family. Snack was married to Marion Romaine (Miller) Anspach for 53 years until her death in 2007. Snack was born on Jan.
19, 1930 in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County, the son of Clarence and Margaret Soliday Anspach. His siblings Irene Wolfe, Minnie Nissley, John Anspach, and Mary Ann Anspach preceded him in death. He is survived by sisters Dorothy Allison (Jack), Annville and Betty (Stewart) Armstrong, Oconomowoc, WI.
His survivors include his daughter, Cindy Bortner (M. Steven); grandchildren Susannah Bortner (David Palmer) and their children Donovan and Quinlan, Margaret Bortner, and Sullivan Bortner (Jordan Stanley); sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. Snack attended the Harrison one-room schoolhouse in East Hanover Township and graduated from Jonestown High School in 1947.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1947 to 1953 and was stationed in Ansbach, Germany for the last two years. For most of his adult life, he was employed at Fort Indiantown Gap, retiring from the Readiness Group in 1990. As a longtime member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, he spent many weekends training for service to his state and country and retired with the rank of Army Chief Warrant Officer 4.
In 1960, Snack and Marion bought property in Lickdale, Union Township and built their home with the aid of skilled and supportive family members. They also remodeled a farmhouse and barn to create apartments they rented out for over 25 years, forming close friendships with tenants during that time. A man of deep faith, Snack was a member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church near Memorial Lake for many years, serving as a Sunday School teacher, member of the choir, and trustee.
In the mid 1990s, Snack and Marion joined their family in membership at Palmyra Church of the Brethren, where Snack taught Sunday School and served on several committees. Members of the JOY Sunday school class will surely miss his knowledge of the Bible and ability to impart its relevance to daily life. He was an active member of his community, serving in leadership positions over several decades in the Jonestown Lions Club and Lions’ efforts to aid those without sight.
In addition, he was involved for many years as a loyal member of the Second Chance cardiac rehab group; board member of Interfaith Manor in Palmyra and the Lebanon County Red Cross; program director for the Golden Fifties senior group; and a past president of the Jonestown High School Alumni Association. In retirement, he pursued his interest in family and local history by researching, writing, and publishing The Blue-Eyed Six and a book about one-room schools in Lebanon County. Also as a retiree, he devoted increased time to his love of woodworking.
Snack constructed countless furniture items, puzzles, and toys, selling them at area craft shows and giving them to family members and friends. When anything broke at their home, his grandchildren would say, “Give it to Poppy” because they knew he could fix anything. Snack loved the Philadelphia Phillies, rarely missing a televised game and never tiring of discussing their most recent game or current season.
He was also a voracious reader of non-fiction and current events; regular viewer of “Jeopardy” and “Lawrence Welk;” and an ardent Scrabble player. He was gratified that his daughter and grandchildren inherited his enthusiasm for Scrabble. Even into his late 80s, Snack also regularly traveled to local nursing homes and hospitals sharing his musical talents, accompanied by his keyboard and strong tenor voice.
He delighted in family gatherings and his extended families will miss his presence at the Anspach Thanksgiving dinner and the Miller Christmas party. He loved and cared about members of both families and remembered them with cards on their birthdays. No one was a more faithful writer and sender of cards than Snack.
In lieu of flowers, Snack’s family asks that contributions be made in his memory to Palmyra Church of the Brethren, 45 N. Chestnut St., Palmyra, PA 17078 or Lebanon County Historical Society, 942 Cumberland St., Lebanon, PA 17042. If you’d like to honor Snack in a small but meaningful way, send someone special to you a handwritten note of appreciation. If you knew Snack, he without a doubt made you feel heard, cared for, and cherished.
Sending notes was one way he did that. A Service to honor Snack’s life and legacy will be held at the Palmyra Church of the Brethren on Saturday, June 22, 2019, beginning with a 9:30 a.m. public visitation with the family in Fellowship Hall and a memorial service immediately following at 11 a.m. Light refreshments and coffee will accompany the family visitation. A private graveside service will be held later this summer To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Wayne H. “Snack” Anspach please visit our Sympathy Store.
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