School district staff honored at retirement

Fourteen people retired from the Greencastle-Antrim School District this year. They left with 357 years of service.

Penny K. Patterson was remembered for her 21 years, the latest as primary facilities manager. She also served as custodian in the middle and primary schools. She retired Aug. 28, 2009 and lost her battle with cancer Jan. 14.

The other retirees are: N. Delores Daley, 14 years. She began as a custodian in the high school and started driving the school van in 1996. Barbara A. Diffenbaucher, 15 years.  She was first a cafeteria staff substitute and then hired as a cook II in the primary school. She transferred to cook I  and was promoted to assisant head cook in 2001. Susan A. Dracz, 24 years. She was the primary reading specialist and also reading department chairman, homebound and tutoring instructor, and summer reading teacher for many years. She graduated from Ford City High School, Indiana University for elementary education, Shippensburg University with a master's in education, and a reading recovery certificate. She also taught in Bethel Township, Troy Hill and St. Andrew's in Waynesboro. Thomas M. Dracz, 34 years. He was the high school guidance counselor, and during his career served as guidance department chairperson, girls softball coach, wrestling coach and class advisor. He graduated from Ford City High School, Indiana University for social science education, and a master's in guidance and counseling.

Richard M. Eberly, 10 years. He was a bus driver as well as a substitute custodian and summer worker. Karen D. Herrmann, 26 years. She began as a teacher's aide, then part-time tax clerk. In 1986 she went fulltime and then became assistant tax officer for 15 years. In 2004 she became tax officer. Suzanne L. Hess, 35 years. She began teaching in Greencastle in the elementary school in 1973. Her official retirement date is in November. She graduated from Greencastle-Antrim High School, Shippensburg State College for elementary education and a master's in the same field. Linda M. Murray, 17 years. She was the district payroll clerk, employed in 1993. She attended computer, first aid, CPR and AED trainings over the years.

Carl E. Poper, 47 years. He began driving school bus in 1962 and also served as a transportation committee member, school bus driver instructor, mail person and substitute custodian. He retired Dec. 31. Ronald E. Powers, 14 years. He started at the high school as a biology teacher, then became dean of students. He resigned in 2003 and returned as dean in 2005. He then moved to assistant principal. During his career he was class advisor and coached volleyball and baseball. He graduated from Jersey Shore Area High School, Lycoming College for biology, Wilson College with a certification in biology, and received instructional II in 1998. He is currently enrolled at Shippensburg University in secondary school administration.

Ena S. Verdier, 38 years. She was a high school wellness teacher in 1970 and ended her career as a primary health and physical education teacher. She also served as a gymnastics coach, girls basketball coach and class advisor. She graduated from Waynesboro High School and East Stroudsburg State College for health and physical education. Charles R. White, 34 years. He started as environmental education teacher in 1976 and served as PYEA and Ecology Club advisor. He assisted in numerous Apple and Cumberland Life festivals and Old Home Week festivities. His retirement date is in August. He graduated from Chambersburg High School and Shippensburg State College for biology and environmental education. Mary Jane Zeger, 28 years. She began driving school bus in 1982.