Philip Bietsch Sr., 82, of 419 Cedar St., long active in fire manic Circles of the Cumberland Valley, died at 8:30 last evening at the Chambersburg Hospital after only a few hours illness.

Mr. Bietsch was born June 6, 1870, in Chambersburg and lived his entire life in this community. He was the son of the late Philip and Sophia Finniff Bietsch. For many years he was employed by the Wolf Company.

Mr. Bietsch held membership in the Second Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the following organizations; The Good Will Fire Company since April 1, 1889, serving as its secretary for 27 years and also its historian; Pennsylvania State Firemen's Association; member and former president of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association; member and former president of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association of which he was also historian, organizer and past president of the Franklin County Firemen's Association, and member of the Chambersburg Firemen's Relief Association. He was the author of "Backward Glances-The Story of the Good Will Fire Company."

Survivors include four daughters and six sons; Mrs. Ray Michaels, 427 Cedar St.; Mrs. Bertha Martin, 420 Cedar St.; Mrs. Kennedy Michaels, 431 Wayne Ave.; Albert Bietsch, New York City; Philip Bietsch Jr., Nyesville; Mrs. Esther Cormany, 475 Hollywell Ave.; Walter Bietsch, 171 Garfield St.; Robert Bietsch, 926 S. Fifth St.; Arthur Bietsch, Avenel, N. J.; Elmond Bietsch, Shippensburg; 25 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Edward Bietsch, S. Main St.

Burial will be made in Norland Cemetery.
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Children:
Melissa S. Bietsch Michaels (1892 - 1966)
Bertha M. Bietsch Martin (1895 - 1969)
Helen M. Bietsch Michaels (1898 - 1990)
Charles A. Bietsch (1900-1973)resided in Sloathsburg, NY in 1969.
Philip J. Bietsch (1903 - 1972) Chambersburg.
Walter C. Bietsch (1907 - 1981)
Robert E. Bietsch (1909 - 2010)
Elmond R. Bietsch (1913 - 1990)
Ester Bietsch Cormany born abt 1905 resided in Chambersburg in 1950.
Arthur J. Bietsch born Oct 1911 resided in Avenel, NJ in 1969.