Obituaries
Sonia Shimer
Sonia Shimer, of Waynesville, N.C., died at her home on June 24.
The youngest daughter of industrialist Russell K. Laros of Bethlehem, Pa., Mrs. Shimer was the executive director of the nonprofit medical transportation service Wheels of Wellness in Philadelphia from 1970 until 1989, after which she retired to North Carolina.
Mrs. Shimer attended Smith College at the age of 16. After having eloped during World War ll with William Robert Shimer Jr., also of Bethlehem, who was in the Navy at the time, she proceeded to be a full-time mother.
When her youngest was 10, she rejoined the workforce to join Wheels of Wellness — which at that time was called Wheels for Welfare — and soon became the executive director. Recognizing that the need for specialized transportation services was great, she led Wheels through its largest expansion ever: the staff grew from eight employees to over 50, and the number of trips provided from 14,000 to over 60,000 by 1989.
In addition to her sister Joan (Laros) Mitchell of Chestnut Hill and brother Russel K. Laros Jr., M.D., of San Francisco, Calif., Mrs. Shimer is survived by six of her seven children: William Robert Shimer lll of Blue Bell; Porter Shimer of Emmaus, Pa.; Gretchen S. Lea of Boyertown, Pa.; Sonya S. Lohmeyer of Waynesville, N.C.; Judy S. Stringfield, M.D., of Hazelwood, N.C.; and Edward Bernard Shimer of Charleston, S.C.; plus 15 grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Wheels of Wellness, 928 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
Eileen McSweeny
Eileen M. McSweeny, 72, of Albrightsville, Pa., formerly of Chestnut Hill, died on August 1. She was the wife of the late James J. McSweeny who died in October 2003.
Born in Braddock, Pa., in 1933, Mrs. McSweeny was the daughter of the late John and Lucille (McGreevy) Sable. She was a former member of Our Mother of Consolation Church.
Mrs. McSweeny is survived by her sons James John McSweeny (Flora) and Sean Griffin McSweeny, and grandchildren Michael, Shane and Nolan McSweeny, all of Philadelphia.
A memorial service was held on August 5 in Gilbert, Pa. Interment was private.
