Obituaries by LocationPauline Anna Pickering
May 31, 2002
Mrs. Pauline Anna Pickering, age 67, of RR2, Box 204, Meshoppen, PA (South Auburn) passed away
at the home of her daughter in Laceyville on Friday afternoon, May 31, 2002 after a long illness.
Born in Scottsville on March 18, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Leland and Marion Brown Long.
Mrs. Pickering attended the Meshoppen High School. She was later employed by the Titchener Manufacturing in Binghamton for eight years. She was later employed, as a clerk by Montrose Dry Cleaners in their Tunkhannock branch for over 17 years, retiring in 1997.
She attended the Transue Community Church and was a member of the Good Will Fire Company Auxiliary in Laceyville. In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with her family. She also enjoyed playing cards and working puzzles.
Surviving are her husband of 33 years, Maurice B. Pickering of South Auburn; three daughters, Judith A. Woodruff of Montrose, Jane and husband, Larry Overfield of Meshoppen and Jenny and husband, Rusty Newhart of Laceyville; three sons, Richard and wife, Aggie Hitchcock of Silvara, Albert Hitchcock and friend, Cindy Spencer of Black Walnut and Michael and wife, Vicki Hitchcock of Retta; one sister, Mrs. Doris Carter, Meshoppen; 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son, Donald Edward Hitchcock in 1966; a brother, Edward Long in 1988; a sister, Helen Donahue, who passed away April 25, 2000 and a great-grandson, Clay Manning, who passed away on Jan. 10, 2000.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 4 at 11 a.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Laceyville, with Rev. Charles Bishop of the Transue Community Church, officiating. Interment was in the North Flat Cemetery in Laceyville. Family and friends called at the funeral home on Monday, June 3 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing, may make memorial donations to the Good Will Fire Co. or to the Good Will Fire Co. Auxiliary, PO Box 207, Laceyville, PA 18623.
Blendina Magee
Memorial Service
A memorial service for Blendina Magee will be held on Saturday, June 8 at 11 a.m. at the Stevensville Presbyterian Church.
Sarafina (Sally) Franco
May 6, 2002
Sarafina (Sally) Franco, age 63, of Philadelphia, PA died on Monday, May 6, 2002 at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. She was born in Mildred on Jan. 9, 1939, a daughter of the late Andrea (Andy) and Philomena Trapani Franco (Frank).
Sally graduated from Turnpike High School, a member of the Class of 1956 had been employed for 35 years by Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania and was a past president of the Pioneers of Philadelphia.
Friends will remember her as being compassionate, giving and fun loving. She especially enjoyed dancing.
Surviving are sisters, Mary Miller of Tunkhannock, Teresa Franco Weber of Wagontown; a brother, Carmen Franco of Tacoma, WA; two aunts, Lucy Trapani Sokalsky of Scranton and Mary Trapani Levendusky of Hazleton; her godmother and 33 nieces and nephews. Sally was predeceased by sisters, Yolanda (Betty) Looby, Christine Kerr and a brother, Rudy Franco.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 8 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Mildred, with the Rev. Michael B. Harris, pastor, presiding. Interment will be in St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery .
Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the American Lung Association, 738 S. Main Ave., Scranton, PA 18504.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore.
Helen Johanna Yurgatis
May 22, 2002
Helen Johanna Yurgatis of Laceyville passed away Wednesday, May 22, 2002, while visiting in Westmeath, Ontario, Canada.
She was born in Scranton on April 2, 1920, the daughter of the late Peter and Anna Yucas Labzentis. Helen was a member of the St. Joachim’s Catholic Church. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who loved spending time with her family, gardening, quilting and helping on the family dairy farm.
Surviving are her husband, William Yurgatis, with whom she would have been marriage 60 years on August 22, 2002; son, Carl Yurgatis and wife, Jeanne of Laceyville; daughters, Dorothy Yurgatis Hibbard and husband, Wayne of Montrose and Marie Moore and husband, Gordon, Jr., also of Montrose; brother, Vincent (Bill) Labzentis and wife, Jean of Montrose; sister, Ann Bolles of Laceyville; grandchildren, Sandy and Bob Voda of Laceyville, Mary and Dennis Wetherhold of Whitehall, Brian Yurgatis of Laceyville, Susan and Brian Lathrop of Montrose, Wayne, Jr. and Amy Hibbard of Rushville, Gordon (Mac), III and Lisa Moore of Lawton and Chad Moore at home; great-grandchildren, Dustin, Marissa, and Makayla Voda; one uncle, many cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Charlotte and Joseph Bendock, brother-in-law, Robert Bolles and nephew, Tony Bendock.
The family received friends at the Sheldon Funeral Home in Laceyville on Sunday 7 to 9 p.m. and Monday 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with Rosary at 10:15 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church, Meshoppen, at 11 a.m. Interment followed at the St. Joachim’s Cemetery, Meshoppen.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Helen’s favorite charities: The Goodwill Fire Company of Laceyville and the Laceyville Ambulance Association, both at PO Box 207, Laceyville, PA 18623 or the American Cancer Society of Susquehanna County, Grow Avenue, Montrose PA 18801.
Gladys I. Vogel
May 25, 2002
Mrs. Gladys I. Vogel, age 84, former Cherry Township resident, passed away on Saturday, May 25, 2002 at the Skilled Nursing Unit of the Memorial Hospital, Towanda.
Gladys was born June 12, 1917 in Fallentimber, Cambria County, PA, a daughter of the late Charles and Elizabeth Noel Potter. She moved to Dushore and marriage John D. Vogel on Sept. 14, 1934. John predeceased her on Oct. 5, 1960.
Gladys worked at the former Weldon Manufacturing Company of Lopez for several years and later for GTE Sylvania in Towanda, from which she retired in 1982 after more than 20 years of service.
She was a member of St. Basil’s Roman Catholic Church of Dushore.
Surviving are two sons and a daughter-in-law, Richard Vogel, Towanda, Thomas and Marie Vogel, Monroeton; three daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Alice and Floyd Miller, Monroeton, Joan and Robert Exley, Mildred, Thelma and Ronald Allis, Ulster; stepchildren, Rudolph D. and Joan Vogel, Rochester, NY; Doris Stratton, Rochester, NY; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brothers, Godfrey Potter, Willard Potter and Francis Potter, all of Fallentimber; stepsons, Harold Vogel and Alvin Vogel of Rochester, NY.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the convenience of the family at St. Basil’s Church, Dushore, with the Rev. Michael B. Harris, her pastor, presiding. Interment will be in Cambria County.
There will be no calling hours.
Memorials may be directed to the Dushore Ministerium Food Pantry, PO Box 426, Dushore, PA 18614-0426.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore.
Lou M. VanNess
May 28, 2002
Lou M. VanNess, age 87, formerly of Camptown, PA, passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2002 in Montrose.
He was predeceased by his wife, Agnes VanNess and two sisters, Sara Sturdevant and Elizabeth Lacey.
Survivors include one daughter, Sara Lee Barbour of Hallstead; one son and daughter-in-law, L. W. and Eleanor VanNess of San Jose, CA; three grandchildren, Ann Marie Summers, Karen Travis and Rev. James Barbour; five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. VanNess was formerly employed by the Endicott Forging and Mfg. Co. of Endicott, retiring after 36 years of service.
A graveside committal service will be held on Sunday, June 2 at 4 p.m. at the Camptown Cemetery, Camptown. Mr. VanNess’s grandson, Rev. James L. Barbour, will officiate.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main St., Endicott, NY.
John Alden Rigler
May 24, 2002
John Alden Rigler of Laceyville, PA, passed away on Friday, May 24, 2002 at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre. He was born in Philadelphia on June 6, 1940, the son of the late Christopher and Marion Alden Rigler.
Mr. Rigler served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1959-1963 and was employed with Magargee Bros. of Philadelphia for 15 years. He was also employed as Director of Operations for the Valley Forge Medical Center, Valley Forge for 10 years. Mr. Rigler was well-known in this area as an avid fisherman, enjoying many tournaments with his fishing buddy, the late Nick Carnevale, as well as many holidays and parties with family and friends. He was also a member of Post 510, Black Walnut American Legion and the Black Walnut Rod & Reel Club.
He is survived by his fiancee, Robin Brown, Laceyville; daughters, Barbara Wilson and husband, Al of Hatboro and Teresa Kuntz and husband, Mark of Jamison; one grandson, Christopher Wilson; sisters, Marie Hess, Jackie Donahue, Marion Grady, Dottie Wheeler and brother, Bill Rigler, all of the Philadelphia area. He was preceded in death by a brother, Christopher Rigler.
A memorial service was held on Sunday, May 26 at 1 p.m. at the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Laceyville. Friends called from 11 a.m. until the time of the services. Interment will be at the convenience of the family.
Tiffany Ann Mason
May 25, 2002
Tiffany Ann Mason, age 17, of RR2, Box 2095, Irish Hill Road, Friendsville, PA, passed away on Saturday, May 25, 2002 as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on SR 267 in Rush Township in Susquehanna County.
Tiffany was born at Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock on June 9, 1984. Tiffie was a senior honor student at Elk Lake High School, where she would have graduated on June 8 with her graduating class of 2002. While attending Elk Lake, she was involved in the SADD, the high school chorus, the steering committee and was a student aide with the special education classes in school. Tiffie was accepted at Mansfield University, where she would be entering the freshman class in the fall of 2002.
At the age of 18 months, Tiffie was cared for by her maternal grandmother, Charlotte Mason. At the age of seven years, Tiffie was adopted by Charlotte and Joseph Mason, residing in Friendsville. Besides her parents, she is survived by her natural mother, Patty Lin Caudill of Statesville, NC; her natural father, Gerald Terboss of Vestal, NY; paternal grandmother, Wanda Doty of Vestal; three sisters, Beth Ann Melton, Jessica Linn Wiggins and Laural Lee Wiggins, all of Statesville, NC; two uncles, Mike Rafferty of Brackney and Joseph Rafferty of Little Meadows; two aunts, Laurieann Stanton of Newark Valley, NY and Melanie Terboss of Vestal; three nieces and several cousins.
Funeral services will be held today, Thursday, May 30 at 11 a.m. from St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, State Rt. 6, Tunkhannock with Fr. Michael Fill, Rev. Vivian Bennett of the church and Rev. Maureen Hipple of the Christ Episcopal Church, Towanda, officiating. Interment will be in the Lacey Street Cemetery in Laceyville. Friends and family called at the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Laceyville on Wednesday evening, May 29 from 6 to 9 p.m.
William Edward Marbaker
May 25, 2002
Mr. William Edward Marbaker, age 35, of RR4, Box 136, Montrose, PA, (Retta) passed away as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Saturday, May 25, 2002 on SR 267 in Rush Township, Susquehanna County.
Born in Sayre on Jan. 21, 1967, he was a son of Clarence C. and Glenda Redd Marbaker of Retta.
William was a graduate of Elk Lake High School, Class of 1985. After graduation, he was a member of the U.S. Army, stationed in Ft. Polk, LA during the late 1980s. He was employed as a truck driver by the Schneider Trucking Co. for many years.
He was a member of the Retta United Methodist Church. Much of his life was spent on the road, being a truck driver.
Besides his parents, he is survived by two sons, Justin Marbaker and Quentin Marbaker, both of Montrose; sisters, Teresa Marbaker of Montrose and Mrs. Larry (Deborah Jean) Brewer of Johnson City, NY; maternal grandmother, Helen Redd of South Carolina; a niece, Misty May VanWinkle and a nephew, Darren VanWinkle, both of Montrose; also many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, W.E. Redd; paternal grandfather, Raymond Marbaker and paternal grandmother, Ruby Marbaker.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 28 at 1 p.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, with the Rev. Larry Russell and Rev. Nancy Russell of the Retta United Methodist Church officiating. Interment was in the Retta Cemetery .
The family received friends on Tuesday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mary Kachmarsky
May 27, 2002
Miss Mary Kachmarsky, age 88, of Sullivan Terrace, Dushore, PA, formerly of Lopez, passed away on Monday, May 27, 2002 at The Highlands in Laporte.
Mary was born in Wilkes-Barre on Jan. 19, 1914, daughter of the late John and Tanga Dzama Kachmarksy.
Mary lived on the family farm in Cherry Township, moving to Sullivan Terrace in 1992 and subsequently to the Highlands.
She was a member of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Church in Lopez.
Surviving are a brother and sister-in-law, Peter and Helen Kachmarsky, Dushore; sisters, Julia Bettin, Bloomfield, NJ and Eva Smith, Seattle, WA; sisters-in-law, Anna Kachmarsky and Helen Kachmarsky, both of Lopez, Beatrice Kachmarsky of Lakewood, CO; numerous nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by six brothers, John Seeman, Paul Kachmarsky, William Kachmarsky, Andrew Kachmarsky, Nicholas Kachmarsky and Michael Kachmarsky and two sisters, Helen Kachmarsky and Ann Vickerman.
Burial service will be held on Friday, May 31 at 10 a.m. at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Church in Lopez, with Hieromonk Michael Thier, her pastor, officiating. Interment will be in St. Vladimir’s Cemetery, Lopez.
Friends may call on Thursday, May 30 at the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. There will be a Parastas Service at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
John "Bob" Linney
May 22, 2002
John "Bob" Linney, 73, 46 McCord St., Tunkhannock, PA, passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 at his home after an illness.
Born Oct. 20, 1928, he was the son of the late Albert and Laura Wolbaugh Linney.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Betty Snyder, who died in 1975 and his second wife, Mary Countryman, who died in 1991.
A veteran of the Korean Conflict, Mr. Linney was a truck driver for Suburban Propane, retiring in 1989.
He was of the Methodist faith.
Surviving are his companion, Bessie Hutchins, Mehoopany; daughters and sons-in-law, Carrie Louise Wells, Wyalusing, Donna and John Fenton, Janice Robinson, Linda Keiper, all of Tunkhannock and Nancy and Roger Happwood of Kentucky; a son and daughter-in-law, Philip and Janet Paylor, Tunkhannock; one brother, Albert Linney, Port Charlotte, FL; a sister, Gladys Linney, Factoryville; 17 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents and his wives, he was preceded in death by two sons, Donald Linney and Irving Paylor; two brothers, Gordon and Joseph; four sisters, Evelyn Swartz, Ella Benninger, Leona and Maude Linney.
Funeral services were held at the Harding-Litwin Funeral Home, 123 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, on Saturday, May 25 at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Edwin Simmons of the Lemon United Methodist Church, officiating.
Interment was in the Sunnyside Cemetery in Tunkhannock.
Friends called at the funeral home on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the North East Health and Hospice, 117 North St., Clarks Summit, PA 18411.
Paul Iffert
May 26, 2002
Paul Iffert, age 70, of 107 Ash St., Tunkhannock, PA, passed away on Saturday, May 26, 2002 at Tyler Memorial Hospital.
Born in Sayre on Dec. 15, 1931, he was the son of the late Paul and Grace Lowe. He marriage the former Grace Phinney on Oct. 1, 1953.
He retired from Procter & Gamble in 1993.
Mr. Iffert was a barber in the Meshoppen area for 12 years and loved history and archaeology. He also enjoyed traveling.
Survivors include two daughters, Valerie Taylor of Williamsburg, VA and Dawn Swetland of Montrose and one son, Jeffrey of Tunkhannock.
Funeral services will be held at the Harding-Litwin Funeral Home, 123 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, on Friday, May 31 at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Brian R. Williams of the Osterhout Bible Church officiating. Interment will be in Jersey Hill Cemetery .
Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday, May 30 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Osterhout Bible Church.
