Vera Schrack, 92, formerly of Upper Bern Township, died Monday, Jan. 17, 2011, at 9:21 p.m. in Berks Heim, Bern Township, where she was a patient since May 2010. Her husband, Wayne Schrack, died March 16, 2004. Born in Tilden Township, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Mollie (Henne) Naftzinger.

Vera had worked for the Hamburg Center. She was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, New Schaefferstown. Vera was also a member of Shartlesville Grange 1512, Shartlesville Fire Company and the Central Berks Fire Company and beneficial association, Centerport.

Vera enjoyed writing and became a published poet. She wrote her first small book, "Let's Learn," in 1972. This was a collection of poems designed to help mentally handicapped children learn about everyday life. Her second book, "Come Along With Me," in 1988, draws from her childhood memories of the wonders of nature and life. Vera was fluent in the Pennsylvania German dialect and her dialect poems were included in this book.

Vera is survived by five sons: Wayne C. Schrack, Upper Tulpehocken Township; John Schrack, Tilden Township; Norman C. Schrack, Alsace Township; Elmer L. Schrack, Upper Bern Township; and Michael C. Schrack, Juniata County; and three daughters: Anna C. (Schrack), wife of Harold D. Reinhart, Jefferson Township; Marie M. (Schrack), wife of John M. Hill, Perry Township; and Betty E. (Schrack), wife of Dennis R. Haag, Tilden Township. There are also a sister, Grace (Naftzinger) Schlenker, Hamburg; 22 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. Vera was predeceased by a son, Daniel J. Schrack, and a brother, Carl Naftzinger.

Services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Leibensperger Funeral Homes Inc., 65 S. Fourth St., Hamburg (off street parking in rear) with Pastor Krista Keisling officiating. Burial will be in St. Michael's Cemetery, Tilden Township. A viewing will be held in the funeral home Saturday from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Published in Reading Eagle on January 19, 2011