Obituaries by LocationBlake McKimpson
Aug. 6, 2002
Blake Allen McKimpson, infant son of Craig and Marianne Tafelski McKimpson of Watsontown, PA, passed away
on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2002 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA
Blake was born at Geisinger on July 30, 2002.
Surviving in addition to his parents are a sister, Casey Anne McKimpson, at home; paternal grandparents, Rodney and Bobbi Brown, Milton; maternal grandparents, Terrance A. and Jeanette D. Tafelski, Eagles Mere; maternal great-grandmother, Lillian Balikowski, Melvindale, MI; several aunts and uncles.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Aug. 9 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Chapel, Eagles Mere, with the Rev. Glenn E. McCreary, pastor of Resurrection Catholic Church, Muncy, presiding. Interment will be in the Eagles Mere Cemetery .
Memorials may be directed to the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, c/o Geisinger Health Systems, 100 North Academy Ave., Danville, PA 17822.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore.
Raymond Malone
Aug. 5, 2002
Mr. Raymond Harold (Slim) Malone, age 76, of 1001 NW Fourth St., Boca Raton, FL, formerly of Meshoppen, PA, passed away at his home on Monday, Aug. 5, 2002.
Born and raised in Meshoppen, he was he son of the late James and Mildred Leonard Malone. A graduate of Meshoppen High School, Class of 1943, Mr. Malone worked for IBM for 32 years at many of their locations, as an engineer, in their Aerospace Department.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, the former Pauline Crea, of Boca Raton, FL: two daughters, Patricia Malone of Huntsville, AL and Marjorie Malone of Santa Barbara, CA; three brothers, John Malone of Berkeley, NJ, Joseph Malone of Deltona, FL and James Malone of Barrington, IL; three sisters, Margaret Councilman and Mary Morrisey, both of Johnson City, NY and Catherine Ross of Binghamton, NY; two grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. from the St. Joachim’s Roman Catholic Church in Meshoppen, with Father Joseph J. Manarchuck, officiating. Interment will be in the St. Joachim’s Cemetery in Meshoppen. Friends and family may call on Saturday at the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m.
Irene Kipp
August 2, 2002
Irene L. Kipp, age 96, passed away in the early morning hours on Friday, August 2, 2002 at the Skilled Nursing Unit at Memorial Hospital in Towanda.
She was born on April 15, 1906 in Troy, a daughter of the late Gordon and Maude Dodge Porter.
Mrs. Kipp was a member of the Evergreen Christian Church, where she had been a Sunday School teacher and enjoyed playing the guitar and singing. Her other talents included dressmaking, art and painting and photography. Irene was a photographer and correspondent for The Rocket-Courier for many years.
While at Skilled Nursing, she had given staff, family and friends many pictures she had done while sitting in her chair. Being a devoted Christian, her pictures always had scripture verses on them.
Irene’s husband of 71 years, Leland Kipp passed away in January of 1998.
She is survived by daughter and husband, Elnora and Glenn Potter; two sons and their wives, Jerome and Betty Kipp and Rev. Romeyn and Elaine Kipp; nine grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by brothers, Howard, Wayne, Frank, Denton, Emery and sisters, Florence and Clarabelle.
Friends and family called on Monday, Aug. 5 at the Evergreen Christian Church in Evergreen from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Aug. 5 at 11 a.m. in the Evergreen Christian Church, with the Rev. Romeyn Kipp and the Rev. Michael Dodd officiating.
Special music was provided by Adam Potter, accompanist and Valerie Grula, soloist.
Interment followed in the Bradford County Memorial Park, Luthers Mills.
Pallbearers were grandsons Gary Potter, Kevin Potter, Kenny Potter, Jerry Kipp, Terry Kipp and Brian Kipp.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Evergreen Christian Church Memorial Fund, c/o Nancy Caudell, RR2, New Albany, PA 18833 in Mrs. Kipp’s memory.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Russell P. McHenry Funeral Home, 119 Carpenter St., Dushore.
Alma Justin
July 31, 2002
Alma May Justin, a resident of the Maria Joseph Manor, passed away on July 31, 2002 at the Emmanuel Center in Danville, PA. She was 97 years of age.
She was born in Shenandoah, PA on Nov. 19, 1904, a daughter of the late Daniel and Carrie Williams Bachman. After high school, she graduated from the West Chester Normal School, then returned to Shenandoah to teach grade school.
In 1929, she marriage Peter A. Justin while he was still in medical school, a fact that they had to keep secret because in the days of the depression, female teachers could not be married, nor were medical interns allowed to be wed. With the same spunk she would exhibit her entire life, they got marriage anyway, keeping the vows a secret until the birth of their first child. Her husband became a well-respected family doctor and the couple lived and worked out of their family home in Mount Carmel for over 65 years, except for two years during World War II when Dr. Justin was based at Fitzsimmon’s Army Hospital in Denver before being sent to serve in Iwo Jima. Alma was active in the community, including memberships in the Mount Carmel United Church of Christ and Fountain Springs Country Club.
She kept pace with her active and inquisitive husband, taking up fishing and horseback riding. Her greatest passion, however, was golf, which she played well into her 80’s as a member of the Eagles Mere Country Club, which flew its flag at half mast last week in her honor. They also traveled extensively through Europe and Africa, with adventures including meeting Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia; staying at the Ritz in Paris and riding a donkey up 1,000 stairs to the top of Santorini. Their favorite time, however, remained spending the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with family.
Alma was especially proud of her family, including her father who was a locally prominent home builder, her mother and her five brothers. She in turn raised not only two successful daughters, but when her son-in-law, Dr. John Sabol died at the age of 39, she moved right in to raise her granddaughters, Jennifer and Carolyn, allowing her daughter, Louise to resume her career as a pediatric ophthalmologist at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.
When Alma was born, there were no automobiles, yet in her lifetime, she saw mankind reach the moon. Despite her years, she remained as sharp as a tack and kept abreast of politics and the stock market even though she had increasing difficulty with her sight and hearing. Nevertheless, Alma loved life for each minute of those 97 years.
Alma is survived by her two daughters, Louise Sabol-Rubel and husband, Walter of Eagles Mere and Diana Nadanyi, a well-known travel agent and husband, Michael of McLean, VA; a brother, Horace Bachman of Shenandoah; four grandchildren, Michelle Nadanyi Krisanda, Peter Nadanyi, Jennifer Sabol Blumberg, M.D. and Carolyn Sabol Repke, M.D. and seven great-grandchildren, Emily Krisanda, Gregory Krisanda, Justin Krisanda, Rachel Repke, Lauren Repke, John Repke and Matthew Repke.
Alma was predeceased by her husband, Peter on March 9, 1995 and her brothers, Howard, Arthur, Clarence and Daniel Bachman.
A fall memorial service is being planned in Eagles Mere.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore.
Edwin Decker
Aug. 5, 2002
Mr. Edwin C. Decker, age 60, of RR2, Laceyville, PA (North Flat), passed away on Monday, Aug. 5, 2002 at the Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre.
Born in West Nicholson on Aug. 3, 1942, he was the son of Mildred Carey Decker of Laceyville and the late Bruce Decker, who passed away on Dec. 31, 1991.
Ed was a truck driver for Vandervort Mills of Laceyville for 18 years and later for Sam VanDeMark Logging and Excavating in Laceyville for 12 years.
He attended the Skinners Eddy United Methodist Church and in his spare time, he enjoyed the time spent with his family and friends.
Surviving besides his mother are a son, Dennis Decker of Laceyville; a daughter, Diane Millspaugh of Laceyville; a sister, Emily Bitler of Laceyville; a brother, David Decker of Florida and many nieces and nephews.
Private funeral and committal services will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Laceyville Ambulance Association, PO Box 274, Laceyville, PA 18623.
Arrangements were made through the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Laceyville.
Doris Ellis
Sept. 28, 2002
Doris M. Ellis, 87, of Montrose, PA, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2002 at her daughter’s house after a long illness. She was born in Jessup Twp. to the late John A. and Maude (McKeeby) Blaisure. Her husband of 55 years, Martin Ellis, predeceased her.
Doris attended the East Rush United Methodist Church. She was a loving mother and grandmother.
Survivors include her five sons and daughters-in-law, Raymond and Arlene Ellis, Friendsville, Richard and Dolores Ellis, Montrose, Ralph Ellis, Dallas, Llewellyn and Joanne Ellis, Friendsville, Elwin and Gail Ellis, Montrose; three daughters and sons-in-law, Louise and Ed Kelley, Montrose, Catherine and Chancy Kelley, Montrose, Penny and Joe Gray, Montrose; a brother, Marvin Blaisure of Montrose; sisters, Daisy Beebe, Springville, Catherine Gregory of Tunkhannock; 19 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides her husband, Doris was predeceased by a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Dorothy Ellis; brothers, Gerald and Murlyn Blaisure.
A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4 at the Daniel K. Regan Funeral Home, with Pastors Larry and Nancy Russell of the East Rush United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment was in the Rush Center Memorial Park, Rush Township. Friends called on the family from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Donations may be made to the Hospice at Lourdes Hospital, 169 Riverside Drive, Binghamton, NY 13905.
Theodore Solowiej
Oct. 1, 2002
Theodore (Ted) Solowiej, age 76, of RR4, Wyalusing, PA, died on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2002 at the Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre.
Ted was born on Jan. 13, 1926 at Port Griffith, son of Michael and Sophia Waxmonsky Solowiej. Ted was a graduate of the Camptown High School, Class of 1943.
In the 1950s, Ted worked on major road construction in the New York and Connecticut regions. From 1960 until 1966 he was a self-employed contractor and stone mason. In 1966 he started work at the Towanda DuPont plant until 1972, when he returned to his contracting business. In 1984 he and his son, Peter started a dairy operation on the family farm. Ted’s joy was being with his family and being on the farm tractor doing field work.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Josephine Terascavage Solowiej; his son and daughter-in-law, Peter and Kendra of Wyalusing; his two beloved granddaughters, Kayleen and Kristen; a brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Janice Solowiej of Myrtle Beach, SC; a brother-in-law, John Moss of Vestal, NY; a sister-in-law, Jean Solowiej of Horseheads, NY; his mother-in-law, Helen Terascavage and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Anthony and Joseph; sisters, Josephine, Ann and Dorothy.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Oct. 4 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church, Wyalusing, with the Rev. Kenneth Seegar, his pastor, presiding.
Interment will be in St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Stowell.
Friends may call at the McHenry Funeral Home, 106 Church St., Wyalusing, on Thursday, Oct. 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Friday, Oct. 4, from 9 to 10 a.m.
Memorials may be sent to St. Mary’s Parish Building Fund, Wyalusing, PA 18853 in Mr. Solowiej’s memory.
Regina Homer
Oct. 2, 2002
Mrs. Regina Ella Tubach Homer, age 85, well-respected funeral director for 60 years, of Dushore, PA, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002Oct. 2, 2002.
Regina was born on March 2, 1917, daughter of the late Arthur Leo and Marcella Brogan Tubach of Dushore. She graduated from St. Basil’s High School, a member of the Class of 1933. She began working by teaching ballroom and tap dancing for 50 cents an hour at St. Basil’s Hall. In 1935, she and her mother, her brother, Cyril and friend, Arlene North traveled to California by bus. In California she attended Pasadena Junior College and graduated from the Pasadena Beauty School where she was a teacher and also graduated from Siegelman’s Make-up Studio in Hollywood. In 1939, her parents spent the winter in California where they purchased a beauty college in Los Angeles, where Regina taught and also was the manager.
After the beauty school was sold in 1941, Regina returned home in May, and in September entered Eckels College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia. She graduated in 1942 and served her year’s apprenticeship under her father. She received her Pennsylvania Funeral Director’s License in 1943. Regina managed the funeral business, the furniture store and rural bottled gas service for her father. She expanded and modernized the facilities in 1954. She succeeded to the ownership of the family funeral home in 1960. Regina operated the funeral home with the help of the late Paul North and the late Tony Recupero until her son Dean, who served his apprenticeship with her, was licensed in 1972. Dean succeeded to ownership in 1979. She was actively engaged in the business until her death.
Regina was an avid fisherwoman and fished at her ponds and other locations every chance she had. She loved to listen to other fishermen tell tall tales of luck from casting and trolling from a boat, while she (using a bobber from shore) almost always came home with a full creel, which she immediately cleaned, scaled and prepared for freezing. She was also very accomplished at needlepoint. She completed several large pieces until her eyesight prevented her from discerning the very fine color changes in the fabrics.
Regina was a member of St. Basil’s Roman Catholic Church in Dushore and a member of its former Altar and Rosary Society. She was a past president and member of Tri-County Funeral Directors Association and a member of P.F.D.A. and N.F.D.A. Regina also served on the Dushore Sewer Authority for five years from its inception.
She cherished her membership in the Dushore Music Club and friendships made there. She hosted the group once a year at her home.
Regina was well known for her stylish attire and hat when at work and at mass.
Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, P. Dean and A. Kay Welles Homer, Dushore; three grandsons, J. Jeffrey Homer, Dushore, Nicholas C. Homer, Baltimore, MD, J. Bradford W. Homer, Dushore; one granddaughter, Amelia Regina Homer, Dushore, and several very loved cousins.
She was predeceased by her brother, Cyril on Nov. 28, 1941.
Funeral services will be held from the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, which will be celebrated at St. Basil’s Church, Dushore, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Eugene R. Carr, her former pastor, presiding. Interment will be in St. Basil’s Cemetery .
Friends may call on Friday, Oct. 6 at the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.
The family will provide the flowers. Please direct memorials to St. Basil’s Restoration Fund, PO Box 1, Dushore, PA 18614 or to the Dushore Music Club, c/o Peggy Anderson, PO Box 223, Dushore, PA 18614.
Clarence Frick
Sept. 28, 2002
Mr. Clarence Eugene Frick, age 82, of RR4, Box 143-B, Montrose, PA (Retta) passed away on Saturday morning, Sept. 28, 2002 at the Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock.
Born in Pottstown on June 29, 1920 he was the son of the late Clarence and Mary Rosenberry Frick. Mr. Frick was preceded in death by his first wife, the former Lorraine Kinckiner Frick, who passed away in 1982.
Serving his country during WWII, he was a sergeant in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific Theater from 1942 until 1945. He was employed in the maintenance department for the Pennsylvania State Department of Welfare at Pennhurst Center in Spring City, retiring in 1977.
He was a member of the Spring City American Legion, Spring City and also a member of the NRA.
Surviving are his wife, the former Mary Jane Sciscio Frick, to whom he was marriage for 18 years; his sons and their spouses, Richard E. and Vera Frick of Montrose, John J. and Jean Frick of Kinberton and Thomas E. and Donna Frick of Chesapeake City, MD; stepsons, Darryl L. Smale of Pottstown, Thomas H. and Jody Smith of Pottstown; brothers, Ralph Frick of Limerick and Harry Frick of Reading; 11 grandchildren; several grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Smith, in 1982.
Memorial services will be held at the Springville Baptist Church on Friday, Oct. 4 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Thomas Rodway of the church officiating. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. The family will receive friends at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Arrangements were through the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen.
Elizabeth Bonhamer
Sept. 29, 2002
Elizabeth M. (Peggy) Bonhamer, 83, formerly of Lee Park Towers, Hanover Twp., passed away on Sept. 29, 2002 at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. Born in Hanover Green on Sept. 6, 1919, she was the daughter of the late David and Edith (Fuge) Lane.
A graduate of Elmer L. Meyers High School, Class of 1938, she was marriage to Henry G. Bonhamer on July 14, 1941 at St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church in New York City. The couple, who recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary, resided in New York City for several years before returning to the Wyoming Valley where they have lived for most of the past five decades.
She was a member of the Albright United Methodist Church, Wilkes-Barre, where she served for many years as a Sunday School teacher. She was also formerly employed by the RCA Corporation in Mountain Top prior to her retirement in 1980.
An avid sports fan all of her life, Mrs. Bonhamer was a devoted supporter of both the New York Yankees and the New York Giants, as well as the Meyers Mohawks-and later in life, the Wyalusing Rams.
In addition to her husband, Henry, she is survived by a son, Lee and a "daughter," Linda of Wyalusing, a grandson, David and wife, Michelle of Wyalusing; two great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Michael, also of Wyalusing; a brother, David of Orlando, FL; several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by sisters, Florence Shaw, Hattie Price and Jeanne Jones and brothers, Leland Lane and Jack Lane.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. at the Kniffen-O’Malley Funeral Home in Wilkes-Barre, with the Rev. Patricia Goodwin of the Albright Methodist Church officiating. Interment was at Chapel Lawn Memorial Park, Dallas. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Albright United Methodist Church.
