The recently posted Head Gardener position in Heaven has been filled. Evelyn C. “Chris” Reber, 70, of Lebanon, and formerly of Manheim, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Saturday, May 6, 2017. Born in Pottstown, she was the daughter of the late Henry C. and Evelyn Eckert Heil. Chris was the loving wife of Glenn W. Reber and they would have observed their 49th wedding anniversary in June of this year. Chris was employed as a legal secretary for many years, worked in the health field as a medical secretary, and finished her career working for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. She was a 1965 graduate of Twin Valley High School. Throughout her life, Chris had a deep passion and love for the outdoors and wildlife and was a champion for Wildlife and Nature Conservation. Being able to be in nature and experience God’s creation was truly Heaven for her. Chris’s outdoor activities included: archery, fly fishing, hiking, camping, snowmobiling, and traveling to the family cabin in Cameron County called “Cabin-Jus-Byon”. Chris loved the art of creating with sewing, pottery, and crafts of all kinds. Her true passion and creative outlet came in the form of transforming the landscape of her home (and yours if you let her) into a garden sanctuary full of customized fish ponds, habitats for birds and other wildlife, and flower arrangements; each groomed with care from sunup to sundown.
Surviving in addition to her husband Glenn, are two sons: Brian W. Reber companion of Shawna Stark of Mount Joy, Justin H. husband of Liesl Reber of Manheim, three grandchildren: Blake, Isabella and Brooklynne, and three brothers: Tom husband of Barbara Heil of Honey Grove, Chuck Heil of New Philadelphia, and Steven Heil of Geigertown.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Chris’s memorial service at the Buch Funeral Home, 21 Market Square, Manheim, on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 10:30 AM. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home on Saturday morning from 9:30 AM until the time of the service. The family encourages everyone to dress casually for the service. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in Chris’s memory to: Hospice and Community Care, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.