WILBUR M. BRUBAKER

Wilbur Melvin Brubaker of Columbia passed away on November 10 at Lancaster General Hospital at the age of 83. Born in West Hempfield Township, he was the son of the late Elmer E. Brubaker and Dora (Musser) Brubaker of Mount Joy. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, the former Rosene (Musser) Brubaker. In addition to his wife he is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Ray, (Don) of Columbia, South Carolina, and his son, Roger Brubaker, (Alice) of Lancaster; grandchildren Jesse Tetreault and Jeremy Tetreault of Columbia, South Carolina, Morgan Brubaker (Robert Zick) of Alexandria, Virginia, and Derek Brubaker of Lancaster; and sister-in-law, Audrey Murray (Harold) of Annapolis, Maryland. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister Arlene Hollinger. Wilbur was a graduate of the former East Donegal Township High School. He started working in the electrical field with his father in 1951 and became a partner in Brubaker Electric, Inc., in 1960. He served as president of the Lancaster County Electrical Association and of the Adequate Wiring Bureau. Along with his wife, he operated the Columbia Diner in Columbia and the Etownian Restaurant in Elizabethtown for seven years. In 1975 he formed Wilco Electric, Inc., an electrical contracting business which his son, Roger, continues to operate today. He was a member of the Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren where he served on various commissions and the church board, in addition to serving as a deacon. He also donated much time to upgrading the electrical system at the church. His hobby of barbershop style singing started in high school and he had been a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society since 1968. He served three terms as president of the Lancaster Red Rose Chapter. His quartet, "Vocal Image" was active in barbershop competitions as well as other public appearances in the 1980's. His most recent quartet, "Susquehanna Sound" was also well known in the area as a group representing the four-part barbershop harmony. Wilbur enjoyed working on house projects and cataloguing local historical items. He collected "general store" antiques and displayed them in a building on his property. He showed an avid interest in model railroading since the age of seven and had a large toy train collection and layout which was viewed by many during the Christmas season. He was a member of the Train Collectors of America. He also had an antique electrical collection. He took great joy in his hobbies and showing them to friends and family. A memorial service honoring Wilbur's life will be held at the Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren, 777 South Mount Joy Street, Elizabethtown on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 10 AM. Family and friends will be received at the church following the service. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren, 777 South Mount Joy Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. To send an online condolence, please visit www.sheetzfuneralhome.com

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WILBUR M. BRUBAKER

November 10, 2016