Fern E. (Bohn) Creitz, 85, of Hamburg, and formerly of Pottsville and Kutztown, passed away on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 in Laurel Center Nursing Home, Hamburg. She was the widow of Larry D. Creitz, who died on October 30, 2004. Her former husband, Glenn O. Packard, died on September 6, 2013.

Born on a farm in Robesonia, Fern was a daughter of the late Lloyd I. and Sallie K. (Bagenstose) Bohn. Growing up in Hamburg, Fern sold tickets at the Hamburg Strand Movie Theatre and was the dispatcher for the Hamburg Taxi Cab. She graduated Hamburg Area High School in 1950. She worked as a waitress and bartender at several local restaurants. Fern was the co-owner and operator, along with her late husband Larry, of the Orwigsburg Hotel, for 13 years. She also worked at the former Garden State Tanning, Inc., Fleetwood, and the Hess Express, Richmond Township, and was a volunteer with the BCIU Head Start Program, Reading. Fern was an avid BINGO player that rarely missed the weekly BINGO playing at Maidencreek Banquet Hall and in West Lawn. Bowling in Hamburg and Kutztown, listening to Elvis music and rooting for the New York Yankees, were also some of the highlights in Fern’s life. Most important to Fern was her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who did everything that she could to attend her grandchildren’s school and sporting events.

Fern is survived by her five Children, Michael J., husband of Robin (Kaufman) Packard, Wellsville, PA, Jo Linda (Packard), wife of Rickey A. Odegaard, Hamburg, Coleen L. (Packard), wife of Charles E. Slichter, Kutztown, Thomas P., husband of Cindy E. (Favinger) Creitz, Auburn, and Michelle L. (Creitz) Bensinger, companion of Guy W. Bowers, Pottsville; 10 Grandchildren; 8 Great Grandchildren; and her extended Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren that she cherished and welcomed as her own. Fern is also survived by a Sister, Floretta (Bohn), wife of Robert Heller, Germansville, and a Sister-in-law, Janet Bohn, Hamburg, widow of predeceased Brother, Forrest Bohn. Fern was predeceased by her Husband, Larry; former Husband, Glenn; Parents, Lloyd and Sallie; Brothers, Forrest and Floyd; Sister, Faye in infancy, and her beloved dog, Skeeter.

A funeral service to celebrate Fern’s life will be held on Monday, September 25, 2017 at 11:30 AM in Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown, with Reverend Mary Ann Hamm officiating. Burial will follow in Berks County Memorial Gardens, Fleetwood. Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing on Monday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 AM in the funeral home.

Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, PA.