Elwood E. “Ellie” Kreider, 88

February 12, 2016

Elwood E. Kreider, 88, known as “Ellie” throughout his life, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 12, 2016 at Moravian Manor. He was a lifetime resident of Lititz. He was the husband of the late Mary Lou (Bender) Kreider and the son of the late Richard & Anna (Roth) Kreider.

Ellie proudly served his country in the US Army during the Korean War.
He worked for Alsam Shoe Co. as a machine operator and later at Yerger Bros. until retirement.

Ellie had a love for baseball. He signed contracts with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Brooklyn Dodgers. He also played for County teams and helped Denver win the City-County Championship in 1957 with a .446 batting average. Joe Rineer mentioned Ellie in his book “The Ballplayer” numerous times. Ellie also coached baseball in Lititz (Warwick Phillies & Lititz Odd Fellows) for over 35 years.

Ellie received the Distinguished Service Award from the Lititz Area Jaycees; Service to Mankind Award from the Lititz Sertoma Club; and was Odd Fellow of the Year in 1979 for outstanding and dedicated service. The baseball parents put a plaque on the High School baseball dugout in honor of Ellie’s coaching the youth of Lititz. He belonged to the Lititz IOOF Lodge #1050, the American Legion, and the VFW. Ellie was a faithful member of the Lititz United Methodist Church where he had been Sunday School treasurer for many years.

Ellie was an avid Phillies fan. He enjoyed playing baseball and softball; bowling; playing cards; fishing with his grandsons; golfing with his son and friends; and attending ALL Warwick sporting events. Family was very important to Ellie and he loved spending time with them.

Ellie is survived by a son, Michael C. (Alison Wieczonek) of Pen Argyl; and a daughter, Sandra L., wife of Gary Rehm of Lititz. He had 5 grandchildren: Kristi L. Davis, Chad M. Kreider, and Ryan M. Kreider all of Bangor; Jeremy R. Rehm of Leola, and Eric M. Rehm of Lititz. He also was blessed with 7 great-grandchildren: Jaxson & Sofia Kreider; Tyler & Zachary & Nathan Davis; and Ava & Nora Kreider. Ellie is survived by a sister, Dot Weit. He was preceded in death by 7 sisters & 6 brothers: Clarence Roth, Helen Kreider, Winifred Schoenberger, Ruth Witmer, Edith Christener, Paul Kreider, Bert Kreider, Donald Kreider, Arlene Davidson, Ray Kreider, Patsy Clausen, Pauline McClellan and Richard Kreider Jr.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, February 19, 2016 at Lititz United Methodist Church, 201 Market St., Lititz, PA at 12 Noon. Friends & family will be received from 11AM to 12 Noon, prior to the service at the church. Interment will be private and held at the convenience of the family. Please omit flowers. Contributions in Ellie’s memory may be made to Hospice & Community Care, 4075 Old Harrisburg Pike, Mount Joy, PA 17552 or to the Warwick High School Athletic Hall of Fame, sending to Warwick High School, 301 W. Orange St., Lititz, PA 17543 Attn. Athletics Office (payable to Athletic Hall of Fame).