SELTZER, H. Jack

Lebanon (PA) Daily News Thursday, March 3, 2011, p 4A H. Jack Seltzer, 88, former Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and owner of Seltzer's Lebanon Bologna Company, died peacefully on Monday, February 28, 2011, in Scottsdale, Ariz., surrounded by his family. Seltzer was born in Philadelphia, on August 12, 1922, and grew up in Harrisburg and Palmyra. He attended high school at Mercersburg Academy before enlisting in the United States Navy, serving as a First Class Petty Officer in the Pacific during World War II. He met the love of his life, Geneva Shepherd, while stationed in Jacksonville, Fla. They married in 1945 and Seltzer brought his southern belle bride home to Palmyra after the war. His father, Harvey Seltzer, died in 1946, and after the war Jack reopened the family business, Seltzer's Lebanon Bologna Company, which had been started by his father in 1902. He was elected to the State House of Representatives in 1957 and served 24 years, the last two years as Speaker of House. Jack liked to say that he had the same job as Benjamin Franklin, who also served as speaker of the House of Representatives in Pennsylvania. Jack and Ginny were married 65 years. They had four children, Michael Jack Seltzer (d. 1983), Craig Harvey Seltzer (Donna Curanzy), Pamela Shepherd, and Patricia Wagoner (Rolf Wagoner). They have four grandchildren, Owen Michael Seltzer, Noah Michael Wagoner, Peter Austin Wagoner, and Geneva Esther Wagoner. After his retirement the Seltzers moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., and also spent six months traveling around the world. Jack enjoyed tennis, sailing, bridge, and curling. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of his life to be held at 2pm on Sunday, March 6, 2011, at First United Methodist Church, 520 E Birch St., Palmyra. The service will be followed by a reception in the church Parish Hall. A private graveside service will be held at Gravel Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his name to the Camp Seltzer Fund at First United Methodist Church, 520 E Birch St., Palmyra, PA 17078; or to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E Flower St, Phoenix, AZ 85014.