On Oct. 29, 1938, she sailed for Bogra, India, under the Board of Missions of the Churches of God of North America. There she served as a physician missionary as eastern India became East Pakistan (1947) and later Bangladesh (1971). In the early years of her practice there, she functioned as a general practitioner, using her bedroom as an office and examining room. At that time, she was the only female physician for 200 miles around. In 1941, a mobile clinic was built, permitting weekly clinics to be set up in the villages. In 1955, a maternity hospital and clinic had been built and a children's ward added by 1969.
In 1972, she returned stateside after 34 years in the mission field. From 1973 to 1980, she served as head of the Obstetric Dept. and taught midwifery at Frontier Nursing Services in Hyden, Ky. From there, she retired to Cascade, Md.
She was an active member of the Germantown (Bethel) Church of God in Cascade, and continued to be an active missions participant in the Churches of God, General Conference. In 2001, she was the recipient of the Towel & Basin Award presented to a layperson who has demonstrated the servant attitude with their involvement in the local church as well as the General Conference of the Churches of God.
In addition to her church activities, she was a member of the American Medical Assoc.; the American Academy of Medical Ethics; and a member of the Fifty Year Club of American Medicine. At the request of the American Tract Society, she wrote a tract entitled, "Can You Know God's Will?"
She was preceded in death by a sister, Katheryne G. Kaetzel.
She is survived by her niece, Joyce Fidelia Kaetzel of Boonsboro, Md., and several cousins.
Services will be Thursday, Jan. 27, at 1 p.m. at the Germantown (Bethel) Church of God in Cascade. Pastors Bruce Henneman, Paul Tobias and Earl Sleasman will conduct the service. The interment will be in the Uniontown Church of God Cemetery in Uniontown.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, Jan. 26, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Skiles Funeral Home, 210 W. Main St., Emmitsburg, Md., and at the church for one hour prior to the funeral on Thursday, Jan. 27.
In lieu of flowers, Dr. Gilbert had requested that memorial contributions be made to the Churches of God General Conference, Medical Missions Fund, 700 E. Melrose Ave., P.O. Box 926, Findlay, OH 45839.
Mary F. Ashton, 92
JUNE 23, 1912-JAN. 24, 2005
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Mary F. Ashton, 92, of Manorcare Health Services, and formerly of 1240 Fox Den Road, died Monday, Jan. 24, 2005, at the nursing center.
Born June 23, 1912, in Chambersburg, she was the daughter of the late George and Mary Miller Weagley.
Her husband, Fred Ashton, died in 1987.
She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fayetteville, Pa.
She is survived by one son, Curtis W. Ashton of Baltimore; one brother, George Weagley of Chambersburg; and one grandson, Jeffrey Ashton.
Services will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, Chambersburg. The Rev. David L. Hefner will officiate. Burial will follow in Lincoln Cemetery.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
William D. Holtry, 55
JAN. 26, 1949-JAN. 21, 2005
ROXBURY, Pa. - The Rev. William D. Holtry, 55, of 11442 Forge Hill Road, died Friday, Jan. 21, 2005, at Hershey (Pa.) Medical Center as a result of injuries received in a traffic accident.
Born Jan. 26, 1949, in Chambersburg, Pa., he was the son of Clara M. Harbour Holtry Brinton of Chambersburg and the late John E. Holtry.
He was a 1968 graduate of Chambersburg High School.
He was proprietor of Holtry's Welding and Repair Service in Roxbury.
He was pastor of Blue Mountain Brethren in Christ Church in Newburg, Pa., formerly Mount Tabor United Brethren Church.
He was director of My Brother's Keeper International, based in Batar, Romania.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Mae I. Meyers Holtry; one daughter, Rebecca J. Holtry of Roxbury; two sons, William D. Holtry II of Orrstown, Pa., and Luke D. Holtry of Newburg; one sister, Anita A. Colbert of Granbury, Texas; one brother, Dennis L. Holtry of Fairbanks, Alaska; and one foster brother, Dwayne Cooper of Indiana.
