BERNVILLE – Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48) hosted a ceremony today to dedicate a portion of Pennsylvania Route 183 from Mount Pleasant Road to the southbound bridge over Licking Creek in honor of hometown hero Staff Sgt. Norman Reifsnyder, a U.S. Army veteran who bravely served in World War II.
“Staff Sgt. Reifsnyder was a veteran and a pillar of the Mount Pleasant community,” Gebhard said. “When he passed away earlier this year, a constituent reached out suggesting we honor him. After learning more about his remarkable life and service, I was proud to sponsor legislation to name a portion of Route 183 near his family home in his memory.”
Norman W. Reifsnyder was born in North Heidelberg Township and graduated from Penn Bernville High School in 1939. He served in the U.S. Army’s 80th Division as a staff sergeant in radio communications during World War II. His service took him through France, Luxembourg, the Battle of the Bulge and Rhineland, Germany. He was awarded both the Bronze Star and the Soldier’s Medal for his bravery and dedication.
Following his military service, Reifsnyder and his family operated a dairy farm for 21 years and were named the Reading Fair Outstanding Farm Family in 1962. He was also active in the Penn State Berks County Master Gardener Program and was a lifelong member of the North Heidelberg Church. He passed away in February 2025 at his Bernville home at the age of 103.
Gebhard’s legislation to make this dedication possible was amended into Senate Bill 78, which was signed into law in June.
CONTACT: Alex Gamble