Obituaries by LocationKenneth S. Williams
March 1, 2002
Kenneth S. Williams, age 81, of Wyalusing, PA, passed away
on Friday, March 1, 2002 at Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit in Towanda.
He was born on Oct. 21, 1920 in Camden, NJ, a son of the late John Thomas and Florence Bennett Williams.
Mr. Williams was a veteran of the United States Air Force, having served during World War II.
He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master’s Degree from Bucknell University.
On July 1, 1946 he marriage the former Marietta J. Slivinske of Wilkes-Barre. They have enjoyed a loving and devoted marriage of 55 years.
In 1954, Mr. Williams moved to Wyalusing to assume the position of principal for Wyalusing High School. He was involved in the jointure of the Camptown, Laceyville, New Albany and Wyalusing schools forming the Wyalusing Valley High School and retired as principal of Wyalusing Valley High School in 1980.
He was a member of the Wyalusing United Methodist Church and has held various church offices and was a member of the church choir.
His other memberships include The Pennsylvania Association of Secondary High School Principals, of which he was a past president; Wyalusing American Legion Post #534, Towanda VFW, Wyalusing Choraliers, Masonic Lodge No. 618 F&AM and is a past master, having served in 1963.
He worked and was involved with the local chapter of the American Red Cross and was a member and had been a driver for the Wyalusing Ambulance Association.
Mr. Williams was an avid supporter of local sporting and musical events. He enjoyed time spent fishing, gardening, reading and cooking.
Surviving are his wife, Marietta (Met) J. Williams, at home; four children and their spouses, Kerry Dibble of Wyalusing, Craig and Scotti Williams of Berwyn, Laurie and Craig Manney of Stevensville, Steve and Barb Williams of Canton; his sisters, Olwen Overman of Shavertown, Blanche Williams of Wilkes-Barre; a sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Edward T. Kosek of Frederick, MD; 10 grandchildren, Heather and Ben Dibble, Kassie, Jessica and Abby Williams, Josh, Tim and Becca Manney, Katie and Kenny Williams and by many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, William and Ronald Williams and by a son-in-law, David Dibble.
A memorial service was held at the Wyalusing United Methodist Church on Tuesday, March 5 at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Beverly Davenport officiating.
Friends and family called on Monday, March 4 at McHenry Funeral Home, 106 Church St., Wyalusing from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
A Masonic Service was held on Monday evening at 6:45 p.m. at the funeral home.
Military honors will be accorded at the Wyalusing Cemetery following the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, donations or contributions can be made to Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit, One Hospital Drive, Towanda, PA 18848, the Wyalusing Masonic Lodge No. 618 F&AM, c/o John R. McHenry, Lodge Secretary, PO Box 765, Wyalusing, PA 18853 or to the Wyalusing United Methodist Church in Mr. Williams’s memory.
Ethel Gladys Fisk Mapes
March 3, 2002
Ethel Gladys Fisk Mapes, 92, of RR2, Wyalusing, PA, passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2002 at the Highlands Nursing Home, Laporte.
Born on Dec. 4, 1908 in Wilmot Township, she was a daughter of the late Clyde and Mary Freudenberger Fisk.
On July 3, 1926, Ethel marriage Bruce Mapes. He preceded her in death on Nov. 26, 1986.
She was a devoted wife and mother and spent most of her life caring for her children and grandchildren. For a time, she worked for the Wyalusing School District as a custodian, retiring in 1972. Ethel enjoyed doing errands and helping others. She helped care for many of her community friends by staying nights with them and helping in whatever way she could to make their lives easier.
Mrs. Mapes was a member of the Moxie Community Church.
Ethel is survived by her children, Joyce Armitage, Laurence and Sherelle Mapes, Freda and James Canfield, Merna Calwell and Alberta Parks; grandchildren, Edward L. and Darlene Mapes, Kenneth H. and Barbara Mapes, Charles and Pamela Mapes, Fern and David Davis, Shelly and Charles Ross, Jodi and John Mapes-Swain, LaVerne and Marie Saxer, Lorene and Jerry Ackley, Kathy Shoemaker, Bret and Conny Shoemaker, Brenda and Thomas Miller, Tami and Andrew Laco, Timothy and Kim Mapes, Hope and David Jordan, Renee and Ronald Mapes-Babcock, Laurence, II and Tarena Mapes, Steve and Melissa Canfield, Victor and Tammy Canfield and Brian and Michelle Canfield; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren and two sisters, Pearl Dyer and Evelyn Fisk.
She was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth W. Mapes; daughter-in-law, Ruth Mapes; grandsons, Lonnie Saxer and Gordon Mapes; brothers, Adrian Fisk, Cortez Fisk, Bradley Fisk and Clayton Fisk.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 7 at 1 p.m. in the McHenry Funeral Home, 106 Church St., Wyalusing, with her grandsons, LaVerne Saxer and Steven Canfield, officiating.
Family and friends called at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m.
Interment will be in the Terrytown Cemetery .
In lieu of flowers, donations or contributions may be made to the Moxie Community Church, c/o Lamar Kipp, RR2, Box 35, Wyalusing, PA 18853.
Richard D. "Dick" Cotton
March 1, 2002
Richard D. "Dick" Cotton, 60, of RR4, Montrose, PA passed away quietly at home on Friday, March 1, 2002. He was born in Harrisonburg, VA on Oct. 18, 1941. He was adopted seven days later by Kenneth Bernadette Cotton and Mildred Ford Smith Cotton and lived and grew up in Lynbrook, Long Island.
He attended Lawrence High School, graduating in 1961, the International Brotherhood Electrical Workers (IBEW) apprenticeship training program from 1961-1964 and the Local 25 IBEW foreman school from 1964-1965. He worked for JV Electric in Hicksville, NY. Dick also worked for several electrical contractors on Long Island. In Dec. of 1977, Procter & Gamble in Mehoopany employed him.
He was a member of Hewlett Bay Fire Department, Hewlett, NY, from 1961 to 1965 and rose to the office of captain of Rescue Company #1. From 1965-1970, he was a part of North Massapequa Fire Department Engine Company #2. From 1978 to 1984, he was in the Meshoppen Fire Department and rose to the office of assistant chief. He was also second assistant chief of the NEPA Federation of Firefighters. He was paralyzed in an auto accident in 1984, thus ending his volunteer fire fighting.
His first wife, Judith Ann Hemmer, whom he marriage in Aug. 1965, survives him. Together, they had four children, Richard Donald Cotton, Jr., Kenneth Brian Cotton, Jennifer Lee Cotton, Michael John Cotton; grandchildren, Desiree Cotton, Jessa Harvey, Abby Newhart, Natalie Newhart, Tory Newhart, Kenny and Kati Cotton.
He was remarried on April 1, 1997 to Darlene Squiers Lee. They were marriage 59 months to the day. Also surviving are a stepson, Justyn (Zeke) Lee and his lifelong friend, since age two, Peter DeValle from Lynbrook, NY.
He was preceded in death by an older infant brother, Robert, and father in 1985 and mother in 2000.
Services were held at 4 p.m., Monday, March 3 at the Bartron Funeral Home, Inc., 74 Church St., Montrose. The family received friends on Monday from 2 p.m. until the time of the service.
The family provided their own flowers and suggests that memorial contributions be made to the fundraising efforts for the new weight room for the Montrose area football team, Montrose Junior-Senior High School, RR3, Box 28, Montrose, PA 18801.
Donald R. Smith
April 28, 2002
Mr. Donald R. Smith, age 74, of RR3, Box 165, Meshoppen, PA, (Rushboro), passed away at the Carpenter Care Center in Tunkhannock on Sunday morning, April 28, 2002.
Born in Berwick on July 1, 1927, he was the son of the late Raymond and Melva Smith. Mr. Smith was a graduate of Berwick High School, Class of 1945, after which he graduated from Kutztown State College, Class of 1950. Mr. Smith was a veteran of the Army during WWII, serving stateside in the state of Washington.
Along with his wife, Donald owned and operated a furniture and antique refinishing business in their home in Rushboro.
He was a member of the Retta United Methodist Church, was president of the Old Mill Village Museum in New Milford, a 50 year member of the Berwick Masonic Lodge and a member of the Jersey Hill Cemetery Association.
Surviving are his wife of 48 years, the former Alice Tewksbury Smith of Rushboro; a sister, Bernice Fritz of Florida; one niece, Beth Natt of Sugarloaf; two nephews, Tom Fritz of Connecticut and David Fritz of Florida.
Funeral and committal services were held on Wednesday, May 1 at 11 a.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, with Rev. Larry and Rev. Nancy Russell of Retta United Methodist Church and Rev. Kenneth Bitler of Susquehanna and Jackson United Methodist churches officiating. Interment was in the Jersey Hill Cemetery. Family and friends called at the funeral home on Tuesday evening, April 30 from 7 to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial donations to the Jersey Hill Cemetery Ass’n., c/o Mr. Ron Mowry, RR2, Box 193, Meshoppen, PA 18630.
Carl Edward Otis
April 25, 2002
Carl Edward Otis, age 81 of Standing Stone, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday evening, April 25, 2002 at the Towanda Memorial Hospital.
He was born in Camptown on Jan. 18, 1921, the youngest son of Harry and Luella VanNess Otis.
He left school at an early age to help his brothers on the family farm after the early death of their father.
He worked for J. V. Taylor, the Wyalusing Livestock Market and owned and operated the family farm until it was sold.
Carl enjoyed visiting friends and gardening.
"The Lord giveth and taketh. Today we lost a loved one whose place in our lives will be cherished memories."
He is survived by his former wife, Laura Cobb Otis of Camptown; sons and daughters-in-law, Max and Claire Otis of Monroeton, Robert Otis of Camptown, Ted and Patty Otis of Camptown, Roderick Otis of Stevensville, Daryl and Joyce Otis of Camptown, Randy and Joan Otis of Lawton; his dear companion, Glenda Taylor and their children, Jeff and Amy of Rummerfield; a special grandson, Doug; grandchildren, Vanessa, Heather, Robbie, Rachelle, Kevin, Brian, Miranda, Derek, Andy, Tim and Tammy; several great-grandchildren; his sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Don Hillis; a brother, Adelbert Otis; a sister-in-law, Helen Otis; several nieces and nephews and special friends, Ronald Yates, Yvonne Robinson and many others.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Thomas Otis; a sister, Emily Kinsley; his brothers, Wilmot and Clifford Otis; two sisters-in-law, Martha P. Otis and Martha L. Otis and a special friend, John Oliver Lynn.
Funeral services were held on Monday, April 29 at 2 p.m. in the McHenry Funeral Home, 106 Church St., Wyalusing, with the Rev. Elwin Patrick, pastor of the Herrickville Wesleyan Church, officiating.
Interment followed in the Camptown Cemetery .
Friends and family called at the funeral home on Monday afternoon from 12 p.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests the donations be made to the Wysox Ambulance Association, Wysox, PA in Mr. Otis’s memory.
Barbara Jane Mast
April 25, 2002
Barbara Jane Mast, age 57, of LeRaysville, PA, passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2002 surrounded by her family at her home.
Barbara was born on July 3, 1944 in Oakland, MD, a daughter of the late Noah and Lizzie Yoder.
She is survived by her husband, Henry Mast, at home; by nine children, Robert, Leroy, Harvey, Henry, Paul, Raymond, Melissa, Elma, Nancy and by a sister, Annie.
Funeral services were held on Monday, April 28 at 1 p.m. in the Valley View Amish Church, LeRaysville, with Bishop David Yoder officiating. Burial followed in the Valley View Cemetery .
Irvin Hitchcock
March 21, 2002
Memorial services for Irvin L. Hitchcock, who passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2002, will be held on Sunday, May 5 at 1:30 p.m. in the East Rush Church with Rev. Edwin Martin, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the East Rush Church.
Joseph "Frosty" Fries
April 26, 2002.
Joseph L. (Frosty) Fries, age 45, of Dushore, PA, passed away on Friday, April 26, 2002.
Joe was born in Williamsport on March 23, 1957, a son of the late Harry W. and Frances M. Barrett Fries of Dushore. He graduated from the Sullivan County High School and was a co-owner of J&R Body Shop in Mildred.
Joe was a member of St. Basil’s Church of Dushore and a member of the White Ash Land Association.
Surviving are his spouse, the former Nanette Koes, at home; two daughters, Jamie Lynn Fries of Laceyville and Marissa Nicole Fries, at home; a son, Joshua James Fries, at home; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Harry, Jr. and Helen Fries of Wysox, Douglas and Patsy Jean Fries of Pineville, LA, Ronald (Fuzzy) Fries of Dushore; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Margaret Ruda, Duluth, GA, Sally and James Murray, Dushore, Patricia and Tim Griffin of Tunkhannock. He was predeceased by twin sons, Matthew J. and Christopher H. Fries in 1991 and an infant sister, Mary Lou Fries in 1944.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, April 29 at 11 a.m. at St. Basil’s Church with the Rev. Michael B. Harris, his pastor, presiding. Interment was in St. Basil’s Cemetery .
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore.
Irene Merle Alden Vosburgh
March 1, 2002
Irene Merle Alden Vosburgh of Plainfield, NJ, died on Friday, March 1, 2002 at Runnels Specialized Hospital in Berkeley Heights, NJ. She was 94 years old.
Mrs. Vosburgh was born in Meshoppen, and had resided in Conklin, NY for 30 years before moving to Plainfield in 1991.
Irene was a saleswoman for Fowlers in Binghamton, NY for many years, retiring in the early 1970s.
Her husband, Howard Woodfield Vosburgh died on Sept. 9, 1994 at the Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center in Plainfield at the age of 89. He was born in Skinners Eddy and was a salesman for Sears, Roebuck & Co. in Binghamton before retiring in1965.
After retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Vosburgh were Antique and Doll Dealers in the eastern area of the United States.
They are survived by grandchildren, Russ A. Allison of Plainfield and Melinda A. Jones of Lake Oswego, OR and two great-grandchildren. A daughter, Barbara Allison and son-in-law, Russell Allison, Sr., predeceased them in death.
A memorial gathering will be held for the couple at the Memorial Funeral Home, 155 South Ave., Fanwood, NJ on Thursday, April 25 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Donald E. Swartwood
April 21, 2002
Donald E. Swartwood, age 61, of Tuscarora Township, Bradford County, PA, passed away at his home on Sunday, April 21, 2002.
Don was born in Binghamton, NY on Oct. 24, 1940, son of the late Herbert L. and Junia Westbrook Swartwood. His parents moved to Phoenix, AZ when Don was a teenager. He completed high school in Phoenix and became a truck driver. He was employed as an over-the-road driver for Roadway Express for many years. He also became a business agent for Teamsters Local #104 in Phoenix.
Don was a member of Teamsters Local #104 in Phoenix.
Surviving are his fiancee, Donna J. Kithcart, at home; three sons, Donald E. Swartwood, Joseph Dewayne Swartwood and Brandon Dion Swartwood, all of Phoenix, AZ; three brothers, James Swartwood, Wolcott, NY, Robert Swartwood and William Swartwood, both of Binghamton, NY; four sisters, Betty Barnum, Binghamton, Beverly Joyce Griffin, Pavilion, NY, Junia Green, Delevan, NY and Theresa Gardner, Binghamton; three grandchildren, Nikki, Nathan and Joshua and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 27 at 11 a.m. at the Spring Hill United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Beverly Davenport, pastor, officiating. A luncheon will follow at the adjoining church community hall.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 1 Grovedale Lane, Wyalusing.
Bernice Nelson Sheerer
April 22, 2002
Bernice Nelson Sheerer, age 91, of Dushore, PA, passed away on Monday, April 22, 2002 at the DarWay Nursing Home in Estella, where she had resided for the past several years.
Bernice Elizabeth Nelson was the third child of the late Judson Theodore and Charlotte Reese Nelson. She was born on Oct. 22, 1910 in Vandling, Susquehanna County, PA.
When she was eleven years old, her mother died suddenly, leaving a family of five young girls in the care of her stern paternal grandmother. Under her guidance, Bernice learned early, the practical lessons of managing a home, as well as the valuable asset of a good education. She graduated at the age of sixteen at the head of her class from the Vandling High School, a member of the Class of 1927.
She marriage Silas J. Sheerer, Sr. of Greentown on Nov. 26, 1930 and they lived in Forest City for a short time. In 1934, the family moved to Dushore, purchasing the Fred Saxer farm in Cherry Township, where she put all her energies into maintaining a home and raising a family. In addition to being an immaculate housekeeper, she was an excellent baker and a discriminating cook. Always industrious, she taught herself to knit, crochet and embroider-much of her handiwork is still in existence. She was also an expert seamstress-sewing clothes for her entire family, everything from winter coats to prom gowns. At one time, every bed in the house was covered with a handmade quilt.
In her later years and even with the evident effects of Alzheimer’s disease, she could still correctly spell any word, correct language usage, conjugate Latin verbs and quote algebraic formulas. (Her knowledge of family history would equal any Indian totem pole). She always followed current events and would discuss politics at great lengths, always with a "slight" Republican bias. She treasured her piano (which she played quite well at one time) and always encouraged music in the home. Sing-alongs had the added plus of her lovely alto voice.
She was a member of the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and formerly an active member of the Dorcas Society. She served for 34 years on the Cherry Township Board of Elections as minority inspector. She belonged to the Cherry Mills Sewing Circle (circa 1940s) and the Sullivan County Republican Women.
Surviving are four children and spouses, Elsie S. and Stanley A. Bohensky, Dushore, Ruth S. and Peter Zolnerwich, Wichita Falls, TX, Ms. Carolyn (Betsy) Sheerer, Dushore and Silas James (Jim) Sheerer, Jr. of Painted Post, NY; nine grandchildren, Stanley Leo Bohensky and Karen Bohensky McDonald, Dushore; Angela Bohensky Lee, Reading; Andrew James Bohensky, Chambersburg; Patricia Coleman Dunlap, Longmont, CO; David Mark Coleman, Middletown, RI; Silas James Sheerer, III, Sandra Frances Sheerer and Paul Stanley Sheerer, Corning and Painted Post, NY; 18 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Sheerer was preceded in death by her husband, Silas J. Sheerer, Sr. on June 7, 1968; an infant brother, Irving and four sisters, Hazel Nelson Allen, Jennie Nelson Standish, Doris Nelson Black and Marion Nelson Allen.
Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family at Zion Chapel, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Dushore, with the Rev. Eddie A. Nilsen, her pastor, officiating. Interment will take place at Old Zion Cemetery, Dushore.
Memorials may be directed to Zion Chapel, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, PO Box 426, Dushore, PA 18614.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore.
