Annis Sisler celebrates 103 happy birthdays
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Annis Sisler was born Jan. 31, 1905, near Greencastle. She celebrated her 2008 birthday with extended family.

The history of Greencastle lies within the memories of Annis Sisler, who celebrated her 103rd birthday last Thursday.

She enjoyed a lively afternoon with her nephew and nieces, by blood or marriage, as they reminisced the highlights of her life. Still spry and sharp, Sisler mentioned people and places long gone, but still remembered fondly.

"There are not many left that I grew up with," she said.

She referred to G. Fred Ziegler, former publisher of the Echo Pilot, as 'a lovely man.' One boss, Dutch Goetz, encouraged her to take a job at First National Bank of Greencastle when the opportunity arose. She did and stayed for 28 years.

She lived for some time in an apartment in the Old Town Hall. Her early employment included the American Store, Omwake Brothers, and Lester Walck Chick Hatchery.

She joined the Reformed Church in 1915 and remains a member of the same congregation, now called Grace United Church of Christ.

Challenging times

Sisler has faced tough times in the past century, but as a family member says, "She's a survivor."

Jan. 31, 1905, was a snowy day in the Middleburg area.

"My mother was in bed trying to have me," Sisler said. "The weather was so bad. Two doctors rode out five miles on horseback. They looked like they were covered with frost. They stayed two days and two nights."

Born on a farm to Harvey and Mary Margaret Eshleman, she also had a step-brother Elmer, and sisters Hazel and Margaret. The youngsters worked in the fields, husked corn and milked cows. Sisler walked a mile to school in nice weather, rode in a buggy if it was raining, and on horseback if it was snowing. After eighth grade she attended Hagerstown Business College for clerical for two years.

She married Sam Hollinger in 1925. Their son lived for just one year. Hollinger died in 1929. The young widow had to support herself for many years.

Her career at First National began as a bookkeeper, but she learned most of the responsibilities necessary for its operation.

"There were only five of us running the bank then," Sisler said.

She knew current bank president Jeff Shank when he and his brother came in with their father.

"I don't know if he was even in school yet."

In the 1960s she married John Sisler. He died in 1981. She moved to Homewood at Williamsport the following year. Today she is in an assisted living unit.

Opinions

Sisler was asked if she had a favorite president through the years.

"I don't think so. Maybe a couple I wouldn't like."

She said she and her brother had argued, since he didn't believe she was voting for the right person. She told him she was a registered Republican but voted Democrat as often as not.

Sisler doesn't have a particular secret to living a long life.

"I've never had a secret life," she declared. "I never thought I'd live past 70."

Her pastimes have included needlework, sewing and quilting.

"Heavens, who wants to know that?" she asked.

Then she added, "I love to quilt. I've made a few."

More like 25 to 30. They were shared with relatives and donated to charitable causes.

She is generally healthy, getting about with a walker, but restricted somewhat by her hearing and vision. She complained about her cataracts interfering with her reading.

"I couldn't do much with the obituaries this morning."

She ate birthday cake with Phyllis Eshleman and Jack and Nadine Phillippy of Greencastle, Janet Phillippy of Hagerstown and Willa Kaal of Chambersburg.

When she couldn't come up with an answer to one question, she replied, "When you're 103 you won't know either."