Obituaries by LocationDouglas Cogswell
Aug. 16, 2002
Douglas Grant Cogswell, Laceyville, PA, passed away
on Friday, Aug. 16, 2002 at Towanda Memorial Hospital. He was born in Camptown on July 25, 1927, a son of the late Emil B. and Sarah Clapper Cogswell. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rita Guiffre in 1998.
Mr. Cogswell served in World War II as a Merchant Marine from 1944 to 1945 and in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1947. Prior to retirement, he was employed as a foreman with Whipple’s Lumber Co., Laceyville, and self-employed in the quarry business and as a truck driver. Mr. Cogswell was a member of the American Legion Post 510, Black Walnut.
Survivors include two sons, Douglas Cogswell, Wilkes-Barre and Emil Cogswell, Wyalusing; two daughters, Ellen Armitage, Laceyville and Joan Cogswell, Washington, DC; a brother, Lavern Cogswell, Enfield, NC; four sisters, Joan Pickett, Laceyville, Esther Pipher, Marietta, GA, Barbara Higgins, Longwood, FL and Rachel (Betsy) Reader, DeBary, FL; ten grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and six great-step-grandhildren. He was preceded in death by one step-great-grandchild.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 11 a.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Laceyville, with Rev. William Nelson. Interment was in the Lacey Street Cemetery. Friends called on Monday, Aug. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Laceyville Ambulance Association, Attn: Mable Clark, RR1, Laceyville, PA 18623 or Laceyville Good Will Fire Co., Attn: Joe Colegrove, PO Box 207, Laceyville, PA 18623.
Julia Frystak
Aug. 15, 2002
Julia Ann Frystak, 13, of Montrose, PA, passed away tragically on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2002 at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre.
Her mom and step-dad, Kimberly and Kevin Bean, Dimock; dad and step-mom, James and Angela Frystak, Montrose; maternal grandparents, Carl and Cheryl Rinyu, Montrose; paternal grandparents, Walter C. and Alyce M. Frystak, Montrose; great-grandparents, Donald and Ann Morris, Montrose; brothers, Jesse and Tanner Frystak and Marcus Bean; many aunts, uncles and cousins survive Julia. She was named after her late great-grandmother, Julia Frystak.
Julia was a high honors student at the Montrose Area High School, recipient of the U.S. Achievement Academy and All American Scholar Awards. She was very active in after school activities and sports. She was enrolled in the Foxglove Farm where she rode Saddle Seat, a form of English Riding on Morgan and Arabian horses. She was deeply loved by all her family and friends.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19 at the Holy Name of Mary Church, Montrose, with Pastor Larry Russell of the South Montrose Community Church officiating. Interment was in the Montrose Cemetery .
Visitation was held on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Daniel K. Regan Funeral Home
A scholarship fund in Julia’s memory is being established. Donations may be mailed to Community Foundation of Susquehanna County, 36 Lake Avenue, Montrose, PA 18810.
Wilbur Beeman
Aug. 14, 2002
Wilbur L. Beeman, age 79, of Forks Township, Dushore, PA, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2002 at Memorial Hospital in Towanda.
He was born on Oct. 30, 1922 in Forks Township, a son of the late William and Etta Hunsinger Beeman.
Wilbur was a 1941 graduate of Estella High School.
A lifetime resident of Forks Township, he spent his entire lifetime engaged as a farmer.
Prior to his retirement in 1982, he had been employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for eight years and then retired from McCarty and Driscoll after giving 13 years of service.
He was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Overton, and was formerly a member of St. Paul’s Church Consistory.
He was a poet and also a great hunter and fisherman.
Surviving are his wife of 51 years, Norma Fassett Beeman, at home; three sons and their spouses, Edward and Barbara Beeman of Alva, FL, Dennis and Mary Beeman of Athens, Jeffrey and Shannon Beeman of Dushore; two daughters and spouses, Pamela and Charles Mapes of Sugar Run and Becky and Crist Espenshade of Hughesville; fourteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters, Charles, Leonard, Herbert, Helen and Anna Belle.
Funeral services were held on Friday, Aug. 16 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Overton, with the Rev. Robert Martin, his pastor, officiating.
Interment followed in St. Paul’s Reformed Cemetery .
Friends and family called on Friday at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Russell P. McHenry Funeral Home, 119 Carpenter St., Dushore.
Kristen Barnes
Aug. 17, 2002
Kristen Lee Barnes, Laceyville, PA, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2002 at the Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre. She was born in Tunkhannock on Dec. 29, 1981, daughter of Carl W. and Linda Hughes Barnes. Ms. Barnes was a graduate of Wyalusing High School, Class of 2000 and a graduate of Northern Tier Career Center, Towanda, Class of 2001. She was employed as an LPN at Carpenter Care Center, Tunkhannock.
Besides her parents, she is survived by a sister, Kara Barnes, Laceyville; grandfathers, Earl Tinna and George Wisnosky, Jr., both of Laceyville; very special friends, Steph Brabant and Cleveland Carter, several aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Thomas and Charlotte Barnes; maternal grandmother, Ina Tinna and an uncle, Clyde Barnes.
Memorial services will be held on Monday, Aug. 26 at 11 a.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Laceyville with the Rev. Beverly A. Murphy, officiating. Interment will be in Lacey Street Cemetery, Laceyville.
John Aspen
Aug. 16, 2002
John E. (Jack) Aspen, age 73, of Villanova, PA, passed away on Friday, Aug. 16, 2002 at the Medical Center of Normandy Farms Estates, Blue Bell, PA.
Jack was born in Philadelphia on Sept. 9, 1928, son of the late Alfred W. and Theresa D’Arcy Frymire Aspen. He graduated from the Overbrook High school and attended St. Joseph’s College. He marriage the former Eleanor Shaffer of Uniontown on June 7, 1958 and they recently celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary. Jack had a career in the Maritime shipping industry and founded his own business, Aspen Shipping.
Jack was a summer resident of Millview, Sullivan County for many years and was a former member of the Eagles Mere Country Club. He was also a former member of the Atlantic City Country Club and the Downtown Club of Philadelphia. He had also served as a member of the board of directors of the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay; board of directors, Philadelphia Marine Trade Assoc. and a member of the World Trade Association Board of Governors for the ports of Philadelphia Maritime Society.
Jack suffered the loss of a leg as a result of a high school football injury. Through great effort and exercise, he became an avid golfer.
Surviving are his spouse, Eleanor, at home; brothers, Alfred W. Aspen, Jr., Lafayette Hill and Richard M. Aspen, Colorado; a sister, Phyllis A. Yarnell, Villanova and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, Sept. 9 at 11 a.m. at the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, 625 Montgomery Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA.
Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, Second Floor, 100 N. 17th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103 or to the Eastern Amputee Golf Association, 2015 Amherst Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015.
Michael Tokach
Aug. 11, 2002
Mr. Michael Tokach, age 66, of RR2, Box 2167, Laceyville, PA (Indian Hill), passed away on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2002 at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.
Born in Plains on Aug. 4, 1936, he was the son of Anna Trabish Tokach of Laceyville and the late Nicholas Tokach, who passed away on July 30, 1982.
Mike was a graduate of Wyalusing Valley High School, Class of 1954. He was a self-employed farmer on the family farm on Indian Hill. He was also a self-employed custom welder, working in the Laceyville, Meshoppen, Wyalusing and surrounding areas.
He was a member of St. Joachim’s Roman Catholic Church in Meshoppen. He was also a past member of the American Breeders Service, while he was farming. He was also a past member of the Shadowbrook Bowling Lanes in Tunkhannock. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Besides his mother, he is survived by his wife, the former Freda Ball, to whom he was marriage for 41 years; two daughters, Jackie Tokach of Harrisburg and Judy and her husband, James Wildonger of Wilmington, DE; a brother, Perry Tokach of Laceyville; three sisters and their husbands, Doris and Fred Storey of Laceyville; Susanne and Louis Smith of Dillsburg and Cindy and Art Johnson of Mehoopany; two granddaughters, Marisa and Christina Wildonger, both of Wilmington, DE; also many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Besides his father, he was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey Michael Tokach, who passed away on March 31, 1976.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, (today) Aug. 15 at 9:30 a.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, with a funeral service at St. Joachim’s Roman Catholic Church in Meshoppen at 10 a.m. with Father Joseph J. Manarchuck of the church officiating. Interment will be in St. Joachim’s Cemetery in Meshoppen.
Family and friends called at the funeral home on Wednesday, Aug. 14 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The rosary was recited at the funeral home on Wednesday evening at 8:30 p.m.
Jacqueline Sznaider
Aug. 9, 2002
Mrs. Jacqueline Ann Sznaider, age 37, of Dushore, PA, passed away on Friday, Aug. 9, 2002 as a result of an automobile accident in Colley Township, Sullivan County.
Jacqueline was born in Deridder, LA on Oct. 8, 1964, a daughter of William and Frances Martinangelo Devine of Browns Mills, NJ. She graduated from Pennsbury High School, a member of the Class of 1982. She marriage Walter H. Sznaider on June 11, 1983. Jacqueline attended Bucks County Community College for two years and moved to Cherry Township in Feb. of 2000.
Jacqueline was formerly employed by The Highlands in Laporte and was currently working as a certified nurse’s aide for Allied Services, Scranton.
Jacqueline was a loving and caring spouse and mother and her family was her life. She was also an avid reader and a foster parent.
She was a member of St. Basil’s Catholic Church in Dushore.
Surviving are her spouse, Walter, at home; a son, Wesley W. Sznaider, at home; a daughter, Ashley R. Sznaider, at home; her parents, William and Frances Devine, Browns Mills, NJ; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Victoria and Kevin Brown, Levittown, Susan and Ruben Zamora, Valencia, CA, Diane and Ronald Brown, Levittown, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. from the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, and were followed with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Basil’s Church in Dushore with the Rev. Michael B. Harris, her pastor, presiding. Interment was in St. Basil’s Cemetery .
Friends called at the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home on Sunday, Aug. 11 from 7 to 9 p.m.
William Kolbeck
Aug. 10, 2002
William M. Kolbeck, 50, of Wyalusing RR1, PA, died on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2002 at Memorial Hospital in Towanda.
Born in Pittston on Oct. 3, 1951, he was the son of George and Arlene Mariani Kolbeck of Pittston. He was a 1969 graduate of Pittston Area High School. Bill was formerly employed at Taylor Meat Packing Co., Wyalusing.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and American Legion Post No. 534 in Wyalusing.
Surviving besides his parents are his wife, the former Rosemary Straka, at home; two sons, William M. Kolbeck, Jr. and Christopher Kolbeck of Wyalusing; his brothers, Kenneth Kolbeck of West Wyoming and George Kolbeck of East Brunswick, NJ; his sisters, Theresa Vaccaro of Downington and Georgeann Manganiello and Diane Miller, both of Pittston; nieces, nephews and one great-nephew.
The funeral was held on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 10:30 a.m. at the Kizis-Lokota Funeral Home, 134 Church St., Pittston. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. at St. Casimir’s Church, Pittston. Interment was in St. Casimir’s Cemetery, Pittston.
Friends called at the funeral home on Monday, Aug. 12 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Julia Decker
Aug. 13, 2002
Mrs. Julia Decker, age 92, of Lopez, PA passed away on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 13, 2002 at the Memorial Hospital, Towanda.
Julia was born in Mildred on Oct. 21, 1909, a daughter of the late John and Julia Elisavage Patrician. She marriage Andrew Decker of Lopez on Oct. 19, 1937. Julia was a loving spouse, mother and grandmother. She assisted her husband in the operation of Decker’s Restaurant and Tavern in Lopez for many years until their retirement in 1969.
She was a lifelong member of SS Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church in Lopez and was devoted to the care and cleaning of the church and altar linens for over 30 years.
Surviving are her spouse, Andrew Decker; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Andrew S. Decker, Lopez and Robert and Donna Decker, Levittown; two daughters and a son-in-law, Sister Janet Decker O.S.B.M., Wilkes-Barre and Elaine and Jerry Gehman, Sellersville; a brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Flora Arenda, Mildred; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Julia was predeceased by a brother, John Patrician of Monroeton and sisters, Mary Flynn and Susan Cox of Dushore and Anna Blair of White Plains, NY.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Aug. 16 at 11 a.m. in St. Francis of Assisi Church, Mildred, with the Rev. James Hayer, pastor of St. Mary’s Byzantine Church, Wilkes-Barre, presiding and concelebrated by Rev. Ted Krepp, Protopresbyter and pastor of St. Mary’s Byzantine Church, Kingston.
Interment will be in SS Peter and Paul’s Byzantine Cemetery, Lopez.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore.
Terry Strohl, Sr.
Aug. 2, 2002
Terry L. Strohl, Sr., 51, of Choconut, PA, passed away unexpectedly at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City, NY on Friday, Aug. 2, 2002.
He was born in Meshoppen to the late Stanley W. and Rena M. (Davis) Strohl. His fiancee, Shelley J. Lupole, Choconut, survives.
Terry enjoyed the outdoors, mowing the lawn, hunting, playing with the kids and watching NASCAR. He always did his best to help everyone.
Survivors include his children and their spouses, Angel and Harold Palmer, Montrose, Terry L., Jr. and Christine Strohl, Choconut, Pamela and Timothy Carlson, Meriden, CT; stepchildren, Steven and Kelly Lupole, Forest Lake, Jennifer Lupole, Choconut and Jason Lupole, Concord, NC; ten grandchildren, Ashley and Brett Palmer, Allison, Gregory and Jessica Steingraber, Casey Strohl, Stephanie and Kyle Bush, Timothy Carlson, Zachary Lupole; two brothers and their significant others, Alan and Gladys Strohl, Friendsville, Scott Strohl and Linda Shultz, Friendsville; two sisters and significant other, Helen Hurd, Little Meadows, Connie Strohl and Steven Bauer, Newark Valley, NY; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at the Daniel K. Regan Funeral Home, 64 S. Main St., Montrose, with Rev. King of the Birchardville Baptist Church, officiating.
Interment was in the Rushville Cemetery .
Friends called on the family at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m.
Donations can be made to the Silver Lake Volunteer Fire Co., Brackney, PA 18812.
Bruce Mitchell
July 31, 2002
Bruce L. Mitchell, 84, of Montrose, PA, died on Wednesday, July 31, 2002 at his home. Born March 29, 1918 in Franklin Township, Susquehanna County, he was the son of the late Earl H. and Erma (Snow) Mitchell. He and his wife Frances (Evans) celebrated 66 years of marriage this past Jan. 29.
He was a member of Montrose United Methodist Church. Additionally, he was a Bridgewater Township Democratic Committeeman for many years. He worked at the former Fairdale Creamery, for 20 plus years at the former Flory Milling Company and also did some farming. He also worked "on the side" selling Knapp shoes, Doebler Farm Seeds and fixing small engines.
In addition to his wife, survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Sally M. and Paul Stone, Owego, NY; sons and daughters-in-law, Kendall and Lorraine Mitchell, Lawton, Donald and Elberta Mitchell, Rome; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren; sisters and brother-in-law, Eleanor and Clark Dayton, Montrose, Evelyn Knowlton of Kirkwood, NY; brothers and sisters-in-law, Kenneth E. and Isabelle Mitchell, Conklin, NY, Leland R. and Mary Mitchell of Binghamton, NY, Louis K. Mitchell and friend, Debbie O’Hara of Franklin Forks; a brother-in-law, Meredith J. Bishop and his wife, June of Montrose; additional brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a sister, Helen Bishop.
Services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Bartron Funeral Home, Inc., a Selected Independent Funeral Home, 74 Church St., Montrose. The family received friends on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to either the American Cancer Society, 1101 Hill St., Jessup, PA 18434 or to the Northeast Health and Hospice Care, Inc., 38 North Main St., Pittston, PA 18640.
Theresa Minier
Aug. 7, 2002
Mrs. Theresa Minier, age 81, of Laporte, PA, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2002 at The Highlands, Laporte.
Theresa was born Aug. 31, 1920 in Mildred, the daughter of the late Endelfonso and Maria F. Blasi Blasi. She marriage Harry Emerson Minier of Cherry Township on Sept. 5, 1947. He predeceased her on May 16, 1987. Theresa worked for Sullcraft Mfg. Co. of Dushore and retired from the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Mfg. Co. in Mildred.
Theresa was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Laporte.
Surviving are three daughters and sons-in-law, Maria and Gerald Farrell, Dushore, Janice and Thomas Shoemaker, Muncy Valley, Monica and Jerry McCarty, Jefferson, MD; a daughter-in-law, Tina B. Minier, New Albany; brothers, Vincent Blasi, Laporte, Louis Blasi, Marysville, OH; nine grandchildren. Theresa was predeceased by a son, Harry E. Minier, Jr. on Nov. 25, 1987.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, Laporte, at the convenience of the family, with the Rev. Michael B. Harris, her pastor, presiding. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery .
Memorials may be directed to The Highlands, PO Box 10, Laporte, PA 18626.
