Ellen Marie Dietrich was born in Lykens Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 25 September 1911, the daughter of Walter A. Dietrich (1877-1936) and Maude Elnora [Klinger] Dietrich (1892-1975). On 6 September 1934, she married Carlos Raymond Scheib (1907-1995).
Ellen Scheib was one of several registered nurses who worked with Dr. Arthur A. Horn during his 35 year in Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. She began her service 1947. Although she worked primarily as an obstetrical nurse, when the doctor was diagnosed with tuberculosis, she took over his practice and managed to handle all but the most difficult medical cases until the doctor was able to resume his duties about a year later.
The following is revised/edited from a biographical sketch of Dr. Horn that appeared in A Comprehensive History of the Town of Gratz Pennsylvania:
Sometimes during the 1940s, the “Tuberculosis Truck” came to Gratz and parked in front of the Community Center. These x-ray units were driven routinely to various communities, as a service to the residents. Many people responded to have the x-ray screening taken. Several weeks later, most people received a card in the mail, noting that the test was negative. For Dr. Horn, it was a different case. He received a letter telling him that a spot had been noticed on his lung. He went to Devitts Tuberculosis camp to be treated with bed rest for eleven months. While he was gone, his registered nurse, Ellen Scheib [Mrs. Carlos Scheib], took care of the routine problems of the doctor’s patients.
Ellen Scheib worked with Dr. Horn about five years starting in 1947. Her specialty was taking care of area women during their pregnancies. When the doctor was notified that a patient was having labor pains, Ellen went to the home to be with her during the early stages. When delivery was near, Ellen notified the doctor. In some cases, Ellen was the sole person to assist at the birth.
While Dr. Horn was hospitalized at Devitts Camp, Ellen Scheib took over the doctor’s office responsibilities. She took calls from patients and if needed, she received help from Dr. Robert Barto Sr., or Dr. Esther Hottenstein, who were the back-up doctors for more serious problems. Ellen also went on call throughout the countryside. Each evening she called Dr. Horn to discuss the day’s happenings or to get specialized information. After Dr. Horn returned to Gratz to resume his practice, Ellen Scheib continued to do home visits. On Tuesday, which was Dr. Horn’s day off, Ellen operated the office practice.
In 1952, Ellen Scheib resigned in Gratz and took a position in the Obstetrics Gynecology Department at the Sunbury Community Hospital and worked there for over twenty years until her retirement.
Ellen died on 10 December 2004 in Millersburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and is buried at the Pillow Union Cemetery, Jordan Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, with her husband Carlos, who died on 2 December 1995, also at Millersburg.
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The portrait of Ellen [Dietrich] Scheib is cropped from her 50th Wedding Anniverary photograph.which appeared in a local newspaper in 1984.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.