CAROL SHETLER/The Luminary The gravestone toppled by winds at Old Immanuel Cemetery near Muncy has been identified as that of Peter Beeber. Downed but not damaged, the marker came apart in the three sections in which it had been erected.

MUNCY- On Sunday, September 18, what the weather service described as a micro-burst, swept through the area causing much damage, including at the Old Immanuel Cemetery on Lime Bluff Road near Muncy.

One of the most impressive grave stones was downed but remained unbroken, coming apart in the three sections in which it had been designed. The concrete base remaining in place bares the inscription of Peter Beeber, 1800-1866. The downed middle section is a tall column, and the top which had been attached with a metal dowel, came loose and lies nearby. Designed as a sphere, the top is draped with a cloak.

With various spellings, the Beeber, Beiber, or Bieber family, remains prolific in the area. A family historian reports Peter was a son of John Beeber and Margaret Julia Dimmer. The father being one of three brothers originally came to this area. The historian allotted Peter had seven siblings, of them Colonel Jacob Beeber, Betsy whose husbands’ surnames were Rantz, Repasz and Michael; Julie Gortner and Susannah Neimund.

Smaller stones clustered around the large one identify additional Beeber family graves. Until tree branches are removed, damage assessments to them are inconclusive.

Also, more has been obtained on the late Raymond Hoover who was eulogized as a past president and board member at the church. Hoover, age 90 of Wellsboro, died June 15, 2016 at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital. Born February 11, 1926 in New York City, NY, he was the son of the late Zenus Leslie and Lida (McConnell) Hoover. The deceased graduated from Montoursville High School. The Army Veteran served during WWII as a paratrooper with the 111th Airborne Division. He had also been trained as a medic.

From 1964 until retirement in Dec 1991, Ray serviced Tioga County for the PA Fish Commission.

In 1989, Ray was predeceased by his wife Bertie Hoover. He is survived by a daughter and son; Holly L. Hoover, Wellsboro, and Thomas D. Hoover, Hot Springs, VA, and a brother Herbert Hoover, Big Flats, NY. The deceased was interred at Old Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery where his gravesite was unaffected by the recent storm.