Loretta "Sue" Henke Chelius, 88, formerly of Reading ,passed away on January 20, 2021, in her Sinking Spring residence.
She was the wife of John "Jack" W. Chelius.
Born in Reading, she was a daughter of the late George and Loretta (Henke) Ermentrout.
She was a graduate of Central Catholic High School in 1950.
Sue worked for many years at Schott's Candies, West Reading.
She loved spending time her family, especially her grandchildren who affectionally called her “Nana.” She is also known for baking treats of chocolate drops, sand tarts, and Ermentrout “breakfast cake.” Sue loved to sit on her front porch at Old Wyomissing Rd. She also looked forward to a trip to the Jersey Shore with her lady friends.
She was the mother of six children: John W. Chelius Jr., West Reading; Matt Chelius, husband of Jackie, Mechanicsburg; Mary Smith, wife of Dan Smith, Warminster; James Chelius, Reading; Lori Lewis (deceased), and her surviving spouse, Jim Lewis, Peach Tree City, GA and Mark Chelius, fiance of Eileen McKeone, West Lawn. One of six children, she is survived by her brother Jack W., widower of Catherine Ermentrout, Arlington, VA. Twelve grandchildren: Natalie Bennett, John Chelius III, Kyle Chelius, Kurt Chelius, Ben Chelius, Andrew Smith, Luke Smith, Sarah Tingle, Olivia Lewis, Erin Chelius, Daniel Chelius, Mark Chelius Jr. and five great-grandchildren: Christopher Stahl, Molly Sue Bennett, Jack Bennett, Cameron Chelius and Kendall Tingle also survive her.
In addition to her parents and daughter Lori, she was predeceased by four siblings: Frederick C. (Jean Marie and second wife, Alice) Ermentrout; Margaret, surviving spouse Jack Horrigan; Rita, surviving spouse Tom Franco; and George, (Patricia) Ermentrout.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at a later date when all can gather. Contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is honored to serve the Chelius family. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.