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For information on submitting an obituary, please contact Reading Eagle by phone at 610-371-5018, or email at obituaries@readingeagle.com or fax at 610-371-5193. Most obituaries published in the Reading Eagle are submitted through funeral homes and cremation services, but we will accept submissions from families. Obituaries can be emailed to obituaries@readingeagle.com. In addition to the text of the obituary, any photographs that you wish to include can be attached to this email. Please put the text of the obituary in a Word document, a Google document or in the body of the email. The Reading Eagle also requires a way to verify the death, so please include either the phone number of the funeral home or cremation service that is in charge of the deceased's care or a photo of his/her death certificate. We also request that your full name, phone number and address are all included in this email. All payments by families must be made with a credit card. We will send a proof of the completed obituary before we require payment. The obituary cannot run, however, until we receive payment in full. Obituaries can be submitted for any future date, but they must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. the day prior to its running for it to be published. Please call the obituary desk, at 610-371-5018, for information on pricing. By MICHELLE CHAPMANAP Business Writer American Water Works and Essential Utilities are merging in an all-stock deal that will create a public water utility worth about $40 billion. The combined company, which will use the name American Water, will have about 4.7 million water connections across 17 states and on 18 military installations, from Hawaii to Pennsylvania. Essential shareholders will receive 0.305 shares of American Water for each share of that they own. American Water shareholders will own about 69% and Essential shareholders will own approximately 31% of the combined company once the merger is complete. There will be no change in customer rates tied to the merger. American Water said that it plans to review strategic options for its non-water and non-wastewater businesses once the deal closes. The combined company does not expect material changes to employee compensation or benefits as a result of the deal. All union contracts will continue to be honored in accordance with their current terms. “By joining forces with Essential, the combined company’s enhanced scale and operational efficiency will support continued investment in our critical infrastructure, enabling us to continue providing superior customer service at affordable rates,” American Water CEO John Griffith said in a statement Monday. Griffith will serve as president and CEO of the combined company. Essential Chairman and CEO Christopher Franklin will become executive vice chair for the board. The combined company’s board will have 15 members. It will include the 10 directors serving on American Water’s board prior to the transaction’s closing, which includes Griffith. Five directors will be designated by Essential, including Franklin. Karl Kurz, independent chair of American Water’s board, will continue to serve in such a role after the deal is completed. The combined company will be headquartered in Camden, NJ, where American Water is based. Essential’s Bryn Mawr and Pittsburgh offices will each continue to maintain a strong operational presence long term. The deal is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027. It still needs approval from each company’s shareholders and approval from the applicable public utility commissions. Wastewater treatment plant tour in Scranton by Pennsylvania American Water Pennsylvania American Water completes $3.4 million lead and copper upgrade Pa. American Water seeks to acquire smaller Bethlehem area utility. Consumer Advocate warns plan deserves scrutiny. Delaware County Court clears legal obstacle for Aqua’s acquisition of DELCORA Officials: $10 million in plant upgrades rid water of ‘forever chemicals’ PA American Water completes $13M purchase of Royersford sewer system
