Obituaries by LocationMary Lou Johnson
Feb. 2, 2002
Mary Lou Johnson, age 69, of New Albany, PA, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2002 at her home, following an illness.
She was born on July 24, 1932 in Belleville, MI, a daughter of the late Leo and Gertrude Freeman Hewitt.
Mary was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served as a U.S.M.C. Sergeant from 1951-1954.
Prior to her retirement in 1993, she was employed by West Chester Arms in West Chester.
She had been a resident of this area since 1993.
Mrs. Johnson attended St. Basil’s Catholic Church in Dushore; was a member and past chaplain of the American Legion, Loyalsock Post #996 of Dushore and was a member of the Service Women Memorial committee to be built in Washington, DC.
She enjoyed time spent gardening and enjoyed flowers and found great enjoyment in collecting knickknacks.
Surviving are her husband, Donald, at home; two sons, Michael Johnson of Mullica Hill, NJ, Brian Johnson of West Chester; four daughters, Lori Palecek of Levittown, Robin Genewski of Palmerton, Susan Roach of Chester, Jody DiSantis of Coral Springs, FL; three brothers, Jack Hewitt of Ypsilanti, MI, Joe Hewitt of Ypsilanti, MI, Bud Hewitt of Arizona; two sisters, Joan Riddle of Ypsilanti, MI, Donna Johnson of Grand Rapids, MI; 16 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 11 a.m. at St. Basil’s Catholic Church in Dushore.
Interment followed in the adjoining parish Cemetery .
Friends and family called on Tuesday evening, Feb. 5 at the Russell P. McHenry Funeral Home, 119 Carpenter St., Dushore, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Gerald Ralph Jennings
Feb. 5, 2002
Gerald Ralph Jennings, age 91, of Park Place, Wyalusing, PA, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2002 at The Highlands in Laporte.
Ralph, as he was fondly known by his family and friends, was born Jan. 13, 1911 on his family farm in Herrick Township, Bradford County, a son of the late George Spencer and Ethel Rachel Tucker Jennings.
Ralph worked on the family farm and did a variety of other interesting jobs. He was always ready to give a helping hand to friends and neighbors. He enjoyed making frequent trips to Canada with friends to go fishing. An avid deer and bear hunter, he had a great affinity for the outdoors and country life. His memory remained sharp to the very end. He could recall happenings in Bradford County and beyond from many years ago to current times. He especially liked the "Old Timer’s Day" events where, even close to 90 years of age, he could recall every old machine or tractor and name the local who had owned them, plus all the pertinent history.
His nieces and nephews have happy memories of hours spent with their uncle going on mini trips, flying to view the Pennsylvania landscape, going to county or state fairs and various community functions.
He will be greatly missed by all.
Surviving are two brothers, Carlton Jennings of Tempe, AZ and Kenneth Jennings of Gettysburg; a sister and brother-in-law, Sylvia and Olon Young of Houston, MS and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers, Harvey Jennings, Lyle Jennings, Lloyd Jennings; a sister, Pearl Jennings and a nephew, Richard Jennings.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. at the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 1 Grovedale Lane, Wyalusing, with the Rev. Elwyn E. Patrick, pastor of the Herrickville Wesleyan Church, officiating. Interment
will be in the Camptown Cemetery .
Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 2 p.m. until the time of the service.
The family will provide the flowers and request that memorials be directed to Park Place, RR4, Box 329, Wyalusing, PA 18853.
John Anthony (Tony) Dempsey
Jan. 30, 2002
John Anthony (Tony) Dempsey, age 68, formerly of 7 Lombard St., Towanda, PA, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2002 at the Troy Community Hospital.
Tony was born Jan. 12, 1934 in Sayre, the son of the late Martin A. and Anna Laughlin Dempsey. He resided on Lombard Street in Towanda, Bradford County, most of his life. During the last five years, he resided with Jeff and Shelly Holdren of Troy.
Tony was baptized at St. Peter and Paul’s Church in Towanda on Feb. 4, 1934.
Surviving are Jeff and Shelly Holdren and their children, Dustin and Devin of Troy; cousins, George and Mary Lambert of Dushore, Catherine Lambert of Dushore and Mary Lambert Yonkin of Sayre; numerous other cousins. He was predeceased by his guardian, Robert A. Lambert of Dushore.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. at SS Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church in Towanda, with the Rev. Ronald J. Hughes, V.F., his pastor, presiding. Interment
was in SS Peter and Paul Cemetery , Towanda.
Friends called on Friday, Feb. 1 at the First Baptist Church in Troy from 3 to 5 p.m.
David T. (Bearcat) Burridge, Jr.
Feb. 5, 2002
Mr. David T. (Bearcat) Burridge, Jr., age 82, of RR2, Box 92, Byrd Hill Rd., Meshoppen, PA, passed away on Tuesday evening, Feb. 5, 2002 at Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock.
Born in Wilkes-Barre on Oct. 10, 1919, he was the son of the late David T. Burridge, Sr. and the late Mary Grace Shillaber Burridge.
Mr. Burridge was a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II, serving from 1941 until 1945. During that time, he was stationed in Iceland, France, Belgium and Holland. He was employed by PENNDOT, working out of Tunkhannock, Wyoming County. While working for PENNDOT, he was a truck driver and heavy machinery operator. He retired in 1981 after 20 years.
Mr. Burridge was a member of the Rought-Hall Post #510 American Legion of Black Walnut. He was also a life member of the Meshoppen Rod and Gun Club and NRA. He enjoyed hunting and fishing his entire life.
Surviving are his wife of 57 years, the former Joanna Sanders Burridge; two sons, Joseph Burridge of Factoryville and Duane and wife, Renda Burridge of Mechanicsville, MD; three daughters and their husbands, Diana and James Bunch, Sugar Run, Darlene and Bill Reynaud of Meshoppen, and Dale and Gregory Bowman of East Providence, RI; one brother, Al Burridge of Bear, DE; three sisters, Mrs. John (Martha) Mosley of Wilkes-Barre, Mrs. Betty Timko of Wilkes-Barre and Mrs. Mary Coolbaugh of Meshoppen; 22 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by five brothers and one sister.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, with Rev. Dave Hinkley of the Meshoppen United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment
will be in the Overfield Cemetery in Meshoppen. Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, Feb. 8 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Graveside military services will be conducted by members of the Rought-Hall Post #510 American Legion and the Endless Mountains VFW Post #3583.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing, may make memorial donations to the American Cancer Society, 1101 Hill St., Jessup, PA 18434.
Ralph Balliet
Jan. 30, 2002
Mr. Ralph E. (Bob) Balliet, age 81, of RR3, Box 82, Meshoppen, PA, (Auburn Center), passed away on Wednesday morning, Jan. 30, 2002 at the Community Medical Center in Scranton.
Born in Meshoppen on March 27, 1920, he was the son of the late Fred and Madge Mercile Balliet. Mr. Balliet was the husband of the late Janice V. Smith Balliet, who passed away on May 14, 1993.
He was a graduate of Meshoppen High School. He was a dairy farmer all of his life in Auburn Center.
Surviving are several stepchildren; five nieces; two nephews; several great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral and committal services were held on Monday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, with Rev. Edwin Simmons, of the Lemon United Methodist Church, officiating. Family and friends called at the funeral home on Monday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.
Roy E. Williams
Jan. 24, 2002
Roy E. Williams, 87, of LeRaysville, PA passed away on Thursday evening, Jan. 24, 2002 at the Towanda Memorial Hospital.
Born in Rummerfield on Sept. 21, 1914, he was a son of the late John H. and Eva Mae Smith Williams.
After school, Roy worked as a farm hand in the Stevensville area before enlisting in the U.S. Army during WWII. He served in Normandy, France and the Rhineland. For his service, he was awarded the European Theater Medal with four bronze stars.
Roy worked throughout the LeRaysville area and retired while working for his nephew, Robert Evans Construction of LeRaysville.
He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed fishing with Robert on their trips to Canada.
He is survived by a sister, Evangeline Bennett of Elmira, NY and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Evans and a niece, Phyllis Dunbar.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 10 a.m. at the McHenry Funeral Home, 106 Church St., Wyalusing.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the HOPS Ambulance Association of Herrickville, in Roy’s memory.
Harry A. Whipple
Jan. 24, 2002
Harry A. Whipple, 87, of Park Place, Wyalusing, PA, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2002 at the Bradford County Manor, Burlington, following a lingering illness.
Harry was born Nov. 28, 1914 in Wilmot Township, a son of the late Charles Dewitt and Cora Jackson Whipple. He attended Wyalusing Schools and was self-employed as a dairy farmer until 1955 when he took employment with the Wyalusing Valley School System as a custodian. He took great pride in his work and especially enjoyed the students and was appreciated by them. He retired from the school system in 1975.
A member of the Wyalusing United Methodist Church, he was active in church activities when his health permitted. He formerly was a member of the Dairymen’s League.
Harry will be remembered for his sense of humor and pleasant disposition. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He married the former Gertrude Reed of Sugar Run on Jan. 17, 1938 in the Durell Parsonage. They recently celebrated their 64 years of a loving marriage.
Survivors include his wife, Gertrude; a daughter and son-in-law, Alice and Arthur Allyn of Browntown; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Anita Whipple of Towanda; four grandchildren, Brenda Morrow of Schenectady, NY, Todd Allyn, Sugar Run, Pamela McCloskey, Mansfield and Bryan Whipple of Strabane; ten great-grandchildren, Chris Clair, Tucker Allyn, Jeremy Allyn, Katharine Morrow, Rebecca Morrow, Katey Grace McCloskey, Zachary McCloskey, Ashlyn Whipple, Madison Whipple and Camryn Whipple; a sister-in-law, Dolores Whipple, Hughesville; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Beatrice Fisk of Wilmot in 1989 and a brother, Walter Whipple of Dushore in 1986.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Jan. 28 at 11 a.m. at the Wyalusing United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Beverly Davenport, his pastor, and the Rev. Victor Millard, pastor of the Laceyville Baptist Church, officiating. Interment
was in the Wyalusing Cemetery .
Friends called at the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 1 Grovedale Lane, Wyalusing, on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing, may make donations to the Wyalusing Methodist Church in care of Maxine Meteer, Peoples State Bank, PO Box 217, Wyalusing, PA 18853.
Leonard Scherer
Jan. 27, 2002
Leonard Scherer, of West Pittston, died Sunday, Jan. 27, 2002 at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital following an illness.
He was born in Moosic, the son of the late Ernest and Margaret (Wega) Scherer. Before retirement, he had been employed as a coal miner with the Pagnotti Co. and also worked at the Ideal Lodge in Wyalusing. He was a social member of the American Legion in Wyalusing.
He is survived by a son, Leonard, with whom he resided; a daughter, Janice Yucas of Duryea; a brother, Robert Scherer of Scranton; four sisters, Mae Deluca of Absecon, NJ, Marion Cooper of Old Forge, Elizabeth Callis of Taylor and Jane Mihalek of Moosic; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Virginia; a brother, Ernest, and two sisters, Ruth Dockett and Margaret Dushko.
The funeral will be held Thursday, Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. from the Jacob Davis Funeral Home, 422 S. Main St., Taylor, with services by Rev. Robert Herala, pastor of the West Pittston United Methodist Church. Interment
will be in the Marcy Cemetery in Duryea.
Calling hours are Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Friends also called Wednesday evening from 6 to 9.
Clara A. Saxer
Jan. 29, 2002
Miss Clara A. Saxer, 97, of Dushore, PA, an esteemed Sullivan County teacher, died on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2002 at the DarWay Nursing Home, Estella.
Miss Saxer was born Feb. 16, 1904 in Cherry Township on the family farm, a daughter of the late Fred R. and Anastasia C. Litzelman Saxer. She attended elementary school at the King School on Ringer Hill and graduated from St. Basil’s High School, a member of the Class of 1920. At her death, she was the oldest member of St. Basil’s Alumni Association. She continued her education at Juniata College, traveling there on the train. She graduated in 1925 with a B.S. in Science. Mathematics was her main area of concentration and in later years, she attended courses at Penn State and became certified to teach many other subjects. She taught chemistry, French, Latin, English and bookkeeping, but mathematics was always her preference. Miss Saxer was also fluent in speaking and reading German.
Miss Saxer taught for 44 years in Sullivan County. She began at the Cherry Township High School and also taught at the Dushore High School, Sullivan Highland High School, Sonestown and retired in 1969 from the Sullivan County High School, Laporte, where she spent the last six years of her career teaching mathematics.
Miss Saxer was a lifelong member of St. Basil’s Catholic Church in Dushore and a member of the former Altar and Rosary Society and the Sullivan County Teachers’ Association.
Surviving are Ann and Sebastian Trapani and family.
Clara was predeceased by a brother, Fred Saxer on Oct. 8, 1972 and a sister, Agnes Saxer on Sept. 11, 1971.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Feb. 1 at 10:30 a.m. from the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Basil’s Roman Catholic Church, with the Rev. Eugene R. Carr, her former pastor, presiding. Interment
will be in the adjoining Cemetery .
Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday, Jan. 31 from 2 to 5 p.m. and on Friday from 9:30 until the time of the service.
A recitation of the rosary by members of the Catholic Women’s Guild will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday afternoon at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to the St. Basil’s Restoration Fund, PO Box 307, Dushore, PA 18614.
William "Buster" Ross
Jan. 25, 2002
William "Buster" Ross, age 69 of RR1, Sugar Run, PA, passed away on Friday evening, Jan. 25, 2002 at the Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre.
Born on Aug. 7, 1932 in Wilmot Township, he was the son of the late William and Edna Fenton Ross.
A graduate of Wyalusing High School, Class of 1950, he was a veteran of the United States Army.
He was a lifetime resident of the area, having been engaged in farming for many years. Prior to his retirement, he was a crewman for Wilmot Township and was also engaged in trucking and hauling cattle to the Wyalusing Stockyards.
"Buster" was a member of the Towanda American Legion Post No. 42, the Northeastern Fox Chasers Association and enjoyed time spent coon hunting, fishing, trapping and bowling.
He left surviving, his loving wife of 47 years, Marilyn Y. (Wheaton) Ross, at home; his three children and their spouses, Sheila and Alan Wilsey of Tunkhannock, Sandra and Charles Bahr of Dushore and Charles and Shelly Ross of Sugar Run; two granddaughters, Jamie Ross and friend, Robert Lutz of Sugar Run and Jacklyn Bahr of Dushore; brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald and Margaret Ross of Milan, Richard and Joan Ross of Wyalusing, Eugene and Jeanne Ross of Sayre, Gerald Ross of Sayre, George "Jay" and Marilyn S. Ross of Sugar Run and Ronald and Ree Ann Ross of Sugar Run; a sister and brother-in-law, Kathy and Richard Vosik of Mehoopany; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dale and Karen Wheaton of Silvara; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lucille and Floyd Eberlin of Monroeton; his father-in-law, Claude Wheaton of Silvara; an aunt, Mary Scouten of Silvara; special friends, Barney and Robert Slabinski, Wilkes-Barre; many nieces and nephews; several great-nieces and nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 10 a.m. at the McHenry Funeral Home, 106 Church St., Wyalusing with the Rev. Beverly Davenport, pastor, officiating.
A tribute written by son-in-law, Charles Bahr, was read by Jerry Ross. The nieces and nephews fondly remembered Uncle Buster with memories read by Teresa Ondrey.
Interment followed in the Wyalusing Cemetery .
Friends and family called at the funeral home on Monday, Jan. 28 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Pallbearers were very dear friends, Barney Slabinski, Robert Slabinski, Jesse Kisner, Larry Snyder, Gary Burke, Arthur Fenton, John Harned and Lee Kneller.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hollenback United Church in Mr. Ross’s memory.
