Obituaries by LocationWallace Decker
May 11, 2002
Wallace E. Decker, 87, of 47411 Deer Road, Altoona, FL and West Groton Road, Groton, NY died on Saturday, May 11, 2002 at his home after a lengthy illness.
Mr. Decker was born June 6, 1914 in LeRaysville, PA, a son of the late Clarence E. and Florence Holland Decker.
Mr. Decker grew up in Pennsylvania and served with the Conservation Corps during World War II.
He and his late wife, Thelma moved to Groton in 1948, where he owned and operated a dairy farm on Talmadge Road for 25 years until retirement in 1973 when his son, James took over the operation of the farm.
For the past fourteen years, he has divided his time between his residences in Groton and Florida.
He is survived by his loving wife of 14 years, Esther Hall Decker; four sons and daughters-in-law, James and Mary Decker of West Groton, Roger and Claudia Decker of McGraw, Richard and Judy Decker of West Groton and Ronald and Tracie of Moravia; his two daughters and sons-in-law, Joan and Ron Kellogg of Queensland, Australia and Shirley and Fred Hamilton of Cortland; two stepchildren and their spouses, Carl and Janet Scheffler and Elaine and Rod Johnson, both of Groton; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Ted and Alta Decker, Laceyville and James and Donna Decker of Willseyville, NY; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren, as well as special nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his first wife of 47 years, Thelma M. in 1985; a brother, Clarence and two sisters, Florence Grover and T. Irene Franklin.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, (today), May 16 at 2 p.m. at the Zirbel Funeral Home, 115 Williams St., Groton, with the Rev. George Gutchess, officiating. Interment will follow in West Groton Cemetery .
Friends called on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the West Groton Rural Cemetery, c/o Elaine Johnson, Cortland Road, Groton, NY 13073.
Lorena Gardner
May 13, 2002
Lorena B. Gardner, age 94, of Jackson St., Montrose, PA, died on Monday, May 13, 2002 at Endless Mountains Health Systems, Montrose. Born March 19, 1908 in Cherry Hills, PA, she was the daughter of the late Lewis L. and Addie (Bahr) Hunsinger. Her husband, George E. Gardner died in 1990.
A member of the Methodist Church, she was also active in the auxiliary of the United Volunteer Fire Company of Montrose. She was known for her cooking, baking and her love for Pug dogs.
She was a telephone operator for many years at both the Fairdale and Montrose exchanges.
Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Dottie and Raymond Hollister, East Rush, Betty and Earl Holbrook, Lawsville; son, Robert Gardner of Ocala, FL; eight grandchildren, Janice Spering, Harold Hollister, Brian Hollister, Edwin Holbrook, Terry Holbrook, Scott Holbrook, Julie Poff, Cindy Klein; 17 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Lena Felton of Montrose; sisters-in-law and spouses, Louise and Kenneth Hollister, Forest Lake, Grace Merritt, Vestal, NY; a brother-in-law and spouse, John and Ruth Gardner of Meshoppen; nieces and nephews.
A granddaughter, Sharon Hollister; two brothers and two sisters predeceased her.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17 at the Bartron Funeral Home, Inc., 74 Church St., Montrose. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family will provide all the flowers and suggest that memorial contributions be made to either the Montrose Minute Men, PO Box 461, Montrose, PA 18801 or to the United Fire Company, PO Box 286, Montrose, PA 18801.
Helen Otis
May 11, 2002
Mrs. Helen Catherine Moyer Otis, 83, of Taylorville, Wyalusing RD, PA died on Saturday, May 11, 2002 at the Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock.
She was born Nov. 21, 1918 in Towanda, a daughter of the late Oliver and Lydia McCaslin Moyer. She attended the First and Second Ward Schools in Towanda and marriage
Clifford P. Otis of Camptown on July 3, 1936. Clifford predeceased her on Jan. 2, 1998.
Helen worked in numerous factories, beginning at the Towanda Folding Box Factory, then 12 years at American Meter Company in Wyalusing. She later retired after many years from Arrow United in Wyalusing.
She and her husband enjoyed fishing, swimming and boating on the Susquehanna River. They also enjoyed hunting and gardening.
Surviving are a nephew, Fred (and Mary) Woodruff, Wyalusing; a brother-in-law, Adelbert Otis, Taylorville; a sister-in-law, Betty (and Donald) Hillis, Ballibay; a friend, Ann Potuck, Tunkhannock.
Helen was predeceased by her husband and a sister, Mary Ann (Mamie) Woodruff.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, May 15 at 2 p.m. at the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 1 Grovedale Lane, Wyalusing, with the Rev. Helen Henderson Learn, pastor of the Camptown United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment was in the Camptown Cemetery .
Friends called at the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and on Wednesday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.
Memorials may be directed to the Wyalusing Ambulance Association, PO Box 787, Wyalusing, PA 18853-0787.
Stanley Rokus
May 13, 2002 .
Stanley Frank Rokus, age 88, of Mildred, PA, died on Monday, May 13, 2002 at the Memorial Hospital in Towanda.
Stanley was born Dec. 10, 1913 in Kingston, a son of the late John and Blanche Skula Rokus. He attended local schools and served in the U. S. Army in World War II. After his discharge, he lived in California for many years and worked as a refrigeration engineer. At age 64, he walked the entire Appalachian Trail and several years later, he walked across the United States from sea to sea.
Stanley was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, Mildred.
Surviving are brothers, Peter Rokus of Montoursville and Dr. William Rokus of Leesburg, VA; a sister, Helen Dennis of Rome, NY; sister-in-law, Edith (Edie) Rokus, Leesburg, VA; five nieces, Lori Rokus, Fairfax, VA, Susan Rokus, Hamilton, VA, Jennifer Heath, Charlotte, NC, Marlene Kakartz, Rome, NY, Judy Mushino, Montoursville.
Stanley was predeceased by brothers, Joseph Rokus, who was killed at Guadalcanal in WWII and Edward Rokus.
Funeral services will be held Thursday (today), May 16 at 11 a.m. from the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Mildred at 11:30 a.m., with the Rev. Michael B. Harris, his pastor, officiating.
Interment will be in the adjoining parish Cemetery .
Friends called at the Homer Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 15 from 8 to 9:30 p.m.
Sandra Wright
May 8, 2002
Sandra Donean Stephens Wright, 55, wife of Kenneth M. Wright, Jr. of RR2, Box 120-D, Wysox, Standing Stone Township, PA, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2002 at Memorial Hospital, Towanda.
She was born May 20, 1946 at The Mills Hospital in Towanda, the daughter of the late Roger and Ruth Stephens of Standing Stone.
Sandy graduated from Towanda High School and the Empire Beauty School. She has been a well-known hairstylist for 37 years, owning her own shop in Wysox for 35 years. One of her greatest pleasures was making people look good.
She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Kenneth M. Wright, Jr., at home; daughter and son-in-law, Kandi Kae (Wright) and Robbie Sample of Montour Falls, NY; daughter and special friend, Kasteena (Kassie) Jean Wright and Douglas Barefoot of Mesa, AZ; two grandchildren, Preston Ryin and Kassidee Kae Sample; brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Doris Stephens; sisters and brother-in-law, Charity (Stephens) Pelton, Jeanne (Stephens) and Dale Bennett; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Stephen and Nancy (Wright) Parr, Jack and JoPat Wright, Philip and Irene Wright, Gordon and Carol Wright, Dale and Susan (Wright) Malin, George and Cindy (Wright) Nolan, Mitchell and Sylvia Wright, Pam Wright and Sherry Good, Bonnie (Wright) and Clifford Shaffer, Roger and Shawna Wright; numerous nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Kathryn (Kakie) Stephens.
Sandy’s greatest joy was her large family and taking care of all of them. Her pride and joy were her two beautiful grandbabies.
The family received friends on Saturday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home, 217 York Ave., Towanda.
Funeral services were private.
Interment was in the Standing Stone Cemetery, Standing Stone Township.
Blendina Magee
May 5, 2002
Blendina Magee, age 99, a former resident of Stevensville, PA, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2002 at the Highland Health Center in Wellsville, NY.
She was born on Dec. 19, 1902 in Stevensville, a daughter of the late Gilbert and Bertha Rockwell Sumner.
Blendina graduated from Camptown High School, Class of 1921. She attended Normal School at Mansfield and taught in a one-room schoolhouse where it was the teacher’s responsibility to start the woodstove fire. Later she earned her Bachelor’s Degree at Bloomsburg College and taught in several schools in Bradford County. She retired in May 1968 from Camptown Elementary School after 25 years of teaching.
Mrs. Magee was a lifelong member of the Stevensville Presbyterian Church and was a charter member of the LeRaysville Order of the Eastern Star. She was also a member of the Retired Teachers’ Association and the Stevensville Birthday Club.
In 1944, she was preceded in death by her husband, the late Clifton Magee.
She is survived by nieces, Margene Fuller Achilles of Geneva, NY, Janet Fuller (Robert) Love of Alfred, NY, with whom she has lived for the past eight years; Patricia Baptiste (Jack) Carr of Stevensville and several grand-nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Genevieve Fuller and a brother, Benton Sumner.
Friends and family are invited to call on Friday, May 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the McHenry Funeral Home, 106 Church St., Wyalusing. Interment services will follow at 6:30 p.m. at the Spring Hill Cemetery, Wyalusing with the Rev. Helen Learn, pastor, officiating.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Stevensville Presbyterian Church.
John Thomas Karaban
May 5, 2002
John Thomas Karaban, a thirty year resident of Dushore, PA, died at home on Sunday, May 5, 2002. He was 78 years old. John was a retired machinist from Piels Brewery, Brooklyn, NY.
The son of Joseph Karaban and Aniela Kosokowa Karaban, he was born in Brooklyn, NY on May 19, 1923. He marriage the former Angeline Castiglia of the Bronx, NY on Oct. 13, 1950 and they recently celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary.
He was a member of St. Basil’s Roman Catholic Church in Dushore.
A family statement read: "John was a simple and humble man who valued God above all else and his wife, children and grandchildren. He was an unselfish individual who enjoyed growing fruits and vegetables, which he donated to the less fortunate in soup kitchens, to the elderly and family throughout the area. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife at home, Angelina Castiglia Karaban; one daughter, Mary Karaban Sekely and her husband, Paul of Black Walnut; four sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph and Kristine Karaban of Highland Mills, NY, Thomas Karaban, at home, John and Deborah Karaban of Overton, Walter and Karen Karaban of Telford; his brother, Walter Karaban and wife, Helen of Ossining, NY; ten grandchildren, Adrienne, Michael, Brendan, Christopher, Chelsea, Jessica, Cassandra, Patrick, JT and Kaylee.
Friends called at the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home in Dushore on Tuesday, May 7 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, May 8 at 11:30 a.m. from the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, and was followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon at St. Basil’s Roman Catholic Church, Dushore, with Rev. Michael B. Harris, his pastor, presiding. Burial followed in St. Basil’s Cemetery .
Robert G. Colbenson, Sr.
May 2, 2002
Robert G. Colbenson, Sr., 76, of 10 Margrow Rd., Tunkhannock, passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2002 at Tyler Memorial Hospital.
Born in Tunkhannock on Oct. 18, 1925, he was the son of Dorothy Graham Colbenson of Tunkhannock and the late William B. Colbenson.
Robert and the former Doris Harvey would have celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on June 30.
He was a retired U.S. Postal Service worker, serving as postmaster in Tunkhannock. He also served as maintenance supervisor for the Tunkhannock Borough Municipal Authority and for the last four years served as maintenance supervisor for Wyoming County. Robert was a Navy veteran of WWII.
He was a member of the Tunkhannock United Methodist Church. He also was a member of the Triton Hose Co. for 55 years, Temple Lodge #248 Free and Accepted Masons in Tunkhannock and a former squidget coach for Tunkhannock Baseball Association.
Robert loved to spend time in his garden.
Survivors besides his wife and mother, include one son, Robert G., Jr., Tunkhannock; two daughters, Linda Herman, Tunkhannock, Barbara Jamison, Clarks Summit; two sisters, Shirley Cokely, Springville, Elsie Puza, Tunkhannock; one brother, Keith, Tunkhannock; three grandchildren, William Colbenson and Andrea Herman, Tunkhannock and Elizabeth Jamison, Clarks Summit; one great-granddaughter, Angela Colbenson, Tunkhannock; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at the Harding-Litwin Funeral Home, 123 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock on Sunday, May 5 at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Roger Richards of the Tunkhannock United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment was in Sunnyside Cemetery .
Friends and family called on Saturday, May 4 from 4 to 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Tyler Memorial Hospital or Triton Hose Company.
Elaine M. Ferris Canfield
May 5, 2002
Mrs. Elaine M. Ferris Canfield, age 60, of RR1, Box 212, New Albany, PA, passed away at her home in Terry Township, Bradford County early Sunday morning, May 5, 2002 after an illness.
Born in Elmira, NY on March 31, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Catherine Woodruff White, who passed away on Dec. 19, 1992 and Olaf Fred and Ethel Ferris of Monroeton. Growing up in Elmira, she attended the Southside High School.
Working most of her life, she was employed at many jobs in and around the Wyalusing area. For the last few years, she enjoyed her time working as a housewife.
She attended the Wyalusing United Methodist Church and was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. In her spare time, she enjoyed being surrounded by her family and friends. Elaine also enjoyed her time with her animals, especially showing and riding her horses and owning and breeding many types of dogs. She was also an avid collector of Barbie dolls and Boyds bears.
Surviving besides her father and stepmother, is her husband of 37 years, Duane W. Canfield, Sr.; three daughters, Nikki Lee and her husband, Francis T. Baines, III of Dallas, Kim L. Canfield of New Albany, Stacy Canfield and her husband, Kevin Swain of Terrytown; two sons, Duane W. (Buddy) Canfield, Jr. of New Albany and Dennis J. Canfield and his companion, Tina Schein of Dushore; a sister, Nancy Blemle of Wyalusing; two brothers, James Ferris and Dennis Ferris, both of Elmira; four grandchildren, Garritt and Whitney Chrzanowski of Dallas, Lyndsey Swain of Terrytown and Macey Fulmer of New Albany; also several nieces and nephews. Besides her mother, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Christy Canfield, who passed away on May 5, 1972; a sister, Tina White, who passed away in 1969 and stepfather, Leslie (Pete) White, who passed away in 1999.
Memorial services were held at the Wyalusing United Methodist Church on Wednesday, May 8 at 1 p.m., with Rev. Beverly Davenport of the church, officiating. Interment will be at the convenience of the family at a later date. Family and friends called at the church on Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m.
Arrangements were made through the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Laceyville.
Emma D. (Jones) Anderson
May 4, 2002
Emma D. (Jones) Anderson, 86,s of Union Center, NY, died at her son’s residence on Saturday, May 4, 2002. She was the daughter of the late Son and Tillie Jones of the Neath area.
She was a member of Union Center Methodist Church and attended Twin Orchards Baptist Church.
An IBM Corporation employee, she retired after 35 years of service and was a member of its Quarter Century Club. She worked and sold Shacklee Products for several years.
She is survived by one son, Harvey D. Jones, Whitney Point; one sister, Velma Rought, Owego, NY, cousins, Vivian Edsell of Stevensville, Shirley Howard of Wyalusing and Joyce Fields of East Herrick, from the local area; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herschel L. Anderson; a son, Wayne Coole; four brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, May 8 at 11 a.m. from the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main St., Endicott, with the Rev. Timothy Dodd and Rev. Brown Naik, officiating. Interment was in Vestal Park Cemetery, Vestal, NY.
The family received friends at the memorial home on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Expressions of sympathy in Emma’s memory may be made to the Hospice Program, c/o Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, 169 Riverside Dr., Binghamton, NY 13905.
The Barber Memorial Home, Inc., 428 Main St., Johnson City. Contributions in memory of John VanGorden may be made to your favorite charity.
