Newspaper Article for 119th DETWILER FAMILY REUNION – August 15, 2015

Detwiler Family members met together at Camp Innabah in Pughtown, Pa., to celebrate their 119th family reunion on a beautiful summer day on August 15th. Each attending member is descended from one of their twelve children’s family lines. As each arrived and signed in at the Welcome Table, displayed was the “Family Motto” – “It’s All Relative”, with six family lines being represented. Children arriving went to a “Kids Table”, set up where Jean Schwartz and Pam Schwartz helped the many young children paint their own “I am a Detwiler” tee shirt for each to take home.

Theme for this Reunion was “Heirloom Quilts”. Quilts brought were displayed with information on the history of the quilt, and documented for the family records. The oldest displayed was handed down five generations, originally owned by George and Hannah Yeager (married on 2/28/1830), and second great-grandparents of President Sandy Detwiler Lusch. Others on display were The Ohio Star Quilt made by Martha Detwiler Weed for the 100th Detwiler Reunion, an Amish quilt owned by Christine Lusch Roussey, a “baby quilt” originally owned by Lillian Pharoah Detwiler, a quilt from the Rapp family line passed down to Mary Ann Rapp Springer and one owned by Esther Clevenstine McKissic whose Grandmother Rapp made in 1890.

The Reunion opened with the singing of the Doxology, accompanied by Cecile Fetters on the piano, followed by grace offered by Eric Fetters and then a buffet meal was enjoyed by all. Centerpieces were a framed copy of the article on the family 100th Reunion Quilt which appeared in the Nov - Jan. 2015 issue of the national “Reunions Magazine”. The quilt was quilted by Martha Weed for the 100th Reunion. After the meal a group family photo, with the backdrop of the 100th Anniversary Quilt was taken followed by a Business Meeting.

The many children attending were excused for outdoor games prepared by Pam and Jean Schwartz making it a memorable family reunion for young and old alike. Ping Pong, canoeing and other activities were available for preteens and older to enjoy at the Camp Innabah, Pughtown facility.

The business meeting included Cecile Fetters, secretary, reporting on last year’s minutes; Eric Fetters, treasurer, gave a financial report; and Dick Lusch, Historian, reported on family matters including births, deaths and marriages. Dick also gave an update on the www.detwilerfamily.org web site. A “Detwiler Family Reunion Facebook” Group has been formed for family members to keep in touch. This is a closed group only open to descendants of Henry R. and Catherine Latshaw Detwiler. Sandy Detwiler Lusch (President), Jean Schwartz (Vice President), Cecile Fetters (Secretary), Eric Fetters (Treasurer) and Dick Lusch (Historian) were elected officers for the incoming year.

An interactive Quiz was prepared by Eric Fetters which required all to interact with other family members attending in order to accumulate “points” in order to win a prize. Door prizes were also given out. The oldest man and woman attending were Kerry Springer (82) and Thelma Fisher (97).

President Sandy Detwiler Lusch stated the Detwiler family continues to focus on the importance of family, with each remembering past heritage and traditions that continue to this day. At this reunion we continue together as a family, just as Henry and Catherine Latshaw Detwiler did when they began the family reunion in 1897 to plan for future generations. The next reunion will be held on Saturday, August 20th, 2016, to celebrate the 120th Detwiler Family Reunion.

For notation of names of those shown in photo Barry Taglieber took at the Detwiler Family Reunion.

The Detwiler family celebrates together at the 119th Detwiler Family Reunion.

“Heirloom Quilts” was the theme for the day. Pictured from left to right are Eric Fetters, Cecile Fetters, Sandy Detwiler Lusch, and Dick Lusch.