Robert Donald Dreese, 85, of Masonic Village, Elizabethtown, passed away on Monday, March 6, 2023 in the Village. He was born in Lemont, PA, Centre County, on November 18, 1937, son of the late Robert H. and Gladys Sarah Dreese. He was a 1955 graduate of State College Area High School and Penn State University in 1961, with a degree in landscape architecture. He served in the US Army Reserves from 1961 to 1967 in Jamestown, NY and Rutland, VT and received the Vermont National Guard Commendation Medal.
He was employed by the US Forest Service from 1962 in Warren, PA to 1967 in Rutland, VT as a Landscape Architect. He was employed by the Commonwealth of PA from 1969 until retirement in 1999 in various planning positions.
He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church, Steelton, Prince Edwin-Spring Creek Lodge No. 486 FandAM, Middletown, Harrisburg Consistory, Life Member of Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 410, Middletown, 50- year member of American Legion Post 272, and Life Member of Penn State Nittany Lion Club.
Don is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Eloise Shay Dreese; sons, Retired Commander Douglas A. Dreese and his wife, Michelle Lewis of Bellefonte, PA and Retired Commander Derrick A. Dreese and his wife, Heather Hughes of Carlisle; sisters, Shirley Eckenroth of Port Matilda, PA and Marjorie Pabis of Throop, PA. He has been blessed by three grandchildren, Nathaniel, Rebekah, and Stefani. He was preceded in death by his son, Richard Dreese of Huntingdon, PA.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 10, 2023 at 11:00 am in Centenary United Methodist Church with Rev. Robert Reider, his Pastor, officiating. Burial in Mt. Lebanon Cemetery. A viewing will be held on Friday from 10:00 until 11:00 am in his church. Masonic Service at 10:45 am. Arrangements are being handled by Wiedeman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Oberlin.
Memorial contributions may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, 1010 Orchard Dr., Steelton, PA 17113 or Prince Edwin-Spring Creek Lodge, 131 W. Emaus St., Middletown, PA 17057 or Hospice at Masonic Village, 98 Masonic Dr., Suite 101, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.