Obituaries by LocationCarl Crain
Oct. 11, 2002
Carl Crain, age 87, of Laceyville RR1, PA, passed away
on Friday, Oct. 11, 2002 at Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock.
He was born Jan. 16, 1916 in Nanty Glo, a son of the late Alfred and Ina Nieminen Crain.
He is a graduate of Nanty Glo High School, Class of 1934 and St. Cloud University in Minnesota, and received his masters from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI.
On Oct. 20, 1945, Carl and the former Marion Anderson united in marriage in Brainerd, MN. It had been a loving marriage of over 56 years.
Mr. Crain was an elementary school educator working in the International Falls School District, International Falls, Minnesota and retired in 1981 from the York School District in York, PA. Following his retirement, he had served as a substitute in the Wyalusing Area School District.
Mr. Crain was a mentor for his nephew, Matt Crain.
He enjoyed time spent walking his dogs, traveling and was especially fond of the scenery in Pennsylvania.
He left surviving his wife, Marion Crain, at home; his daughter, Ruth Crain; at home; a grandson, John Crain, at home; a brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Anna Crain of Rocky Boy, MT and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Alfred and Levi and by his twin sister, Bertha.
A memorial service will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements were entrusted to the McHenry Funeral Home, 106 Church St., Wyalusing.
Hilda Schmeckenbecher
Oct. 4, 2002
Hilda M. Schmeckenbecher, 80, well-known area businesswoman, passed away on Friday morning, Oct. 4, 2002 to go home with her Lord.
Born Jan. 8, 1922, she was a daughter of the late Walter and Harriett Northrup Monahan. Hilda was the owner and operator of the Wayside Inn (Bucket of Blood) in Towanda Township for over 44 years. She attended the Wysox Presbyterian Church, was a member of Towanda American Legion Post No. 42 Auxiliary, Monroeton Rod and Gun Club and the Wysox Ambulance Association.
Hilda enjoyed working in her yard amongst her flowers, cooking, traveling, raising polled Herefords and her canine companion, Rosie.
Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and David McFarlane of Phoenix, AZ; a daughter, Marlene Maynard of Towanda RR5; a son, Charles W. Schmeckenbecher of Towanda RR4; granddaughters, Sherie Weiss of Canton, Michelle Martin and her husband, J.B. of Rome, Wendy Elliott and her husband, Brian of Towanda RR5; grandsons, Stephen Schmeckenbecher and his wife, Angie of Wysox RR2, Robert K. Maynard of Towanda RR5, Scott Schmeckenbecher and his wife, Gwen of Athens RR2; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Carlyle "Toad" and Edna Monahan of Arcadia, FL; a sister, Bethelda "Betty" Knapp of Arcadia, FL; a sister-in-law, Marilyn "Christine" Monahan of Arcadia, FL; several nieces, nephews and cousins and special caregivers, Pauline Edsell, Betty Lewis and Angie Schmeckenbecher.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles K. Schmeckenbecher in Dec. of 1968.
The funeral and committal services were held on Monday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home, 217 York Ave., Towanda, with the Rev. Thomas A. Geiger, pastor of the Assembly of God Church, Towanda, officiating.
Interment will be at a later date in the Oak Hill Cemetery Mausoleum, Towanda.
The family received friends Sunday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. and Monday from noon to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be directed to the Wysox EMS, Box 302, Wysox, PA 18854 or to the Memorial Hospice, One Hospital Drive, Towanda, PA 18848 in Mrs. Schmeckenbecher’s memory.
Harry Keeney
Oct. 3, 2002
Mr. Harry C. Keeney, age 80, of RR3, Box 95, Meshoppen, PA (Jersey Hill) passed away at his home on Thursday morning, Oct. 3, 2002 after an illness.
Born in Meshoppen on April 28, 1922, he was the son of the late Garth and Jennie VanGordon Keeney. Mr. Keeney was a graduate of the Meshoppen High School, Class of 1940. He also attended the Penn State University.
Serving his country during WWII, he was in the U.S. Army from 1942 until 1946. Mr. Keeney was in the tank battalion, a sergeant with the 69th Infantry, 777th Armored Division in the European Theatre. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge. For 39 years he was employed by Sire Power in Tunkhannock as an artificial breeder, retiring in 1986.
He was a member of the Meshoppen United Methodist Church and its choir; member and past master of the Franklin Lodge #263 F&AM, Laceyville; member and past associate patron of the Meshoppen Eastern Star #70; member of the Rought-Hall Post #510 American Legion, Black Walnut; charter member of the Tunkhannock Barbershoppers Choir and the Barbershop Quartet, The Neighborhood Boys for over 14 years. He was a coach of Little League Baseball in Auburn for many years and a director of the Jersey Hill and Overfield cemeteries. For many years he enjoyed antique car and tractor shows, where he showed his 1963 Thunderbird and his1950 Model N Ford tractor.
Surviving are his wife, the former Lorraine Pinnock Keeney, to whom he has been marriage for 56 years; sons and their wives, Lee Thomas and Judy Keeney of Jersey Hill, Jack and Patricia Keeney of Collegeville; daughter and husband, Jill and Wade Lunger of Jersey Hill; brother and wife, Fred and Ruth Keeney of Essington and sister-in-law, Lucy Keeney of Meshoppen; six grandsons, Master Sergeant Lee Keeney of Pasadena, MD, Ryan Keeney of Meshoppen, Matthew Keeney and Timothy Keeney, both of Collegeville and Kristian and Colin Lungar, both of Jersey Hill and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Gerald Keeney and Donald Keeney.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. from the Meshoppen United Methodist Church with Rev. Dan Herron officiating. Interment was in the Jersey Hill Cemetery. Friends and family called at the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, on Sunday, Oct. 6 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The Meshoppen Eastern Star #70 and Franklin Lodge #263 F&AM conducted services on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the funeral home. Graveside military services will be conducted at the Jersey Hill Cemetery by the members of the Rought Hall Post #510 American Legion and the Endless Mountains VFW Post #3583.
Andrew Huffman
Oct. 1, 2002
Andrew Walter Huffman of Feeding Hills, MA passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2002.
He was born in Wilmot, PA on Nov. 5, 1918, a son of the late Fred G. and Georgia Meeks Huffman.
He served in the U.S. Army as a medic during World War II in Germany.
Andrew was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Anna Smith Huffman in Feb., 2002 and his brothers, Levi, Melbourne and Alfred Huffman and a sister, Loueva Gladys Huffman.
Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, John and Kathy Huffman; grandchildren, Laurie Bryden, John, Andrew and Sarah Huffman; great-granddaughter, Sydney Bryden; brothers and sisters-in-law, Norman and Peggy Huffman, Raymond and Lloyd and Kathryn Huffman, all of Wyalusing; a sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Larry Kneller of Merryall; sisters-in-law, Lena Huffman, Theresa Huffman and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held at the Wyalusing Cemetery on Friday, Oct. 4 with the Rev. Barry Ballard officiating.
Amy Frederick
Oct. 2, 2002
Amy Kay McKernan Frederick of Wyalusing, PA, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002 at the Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA.
Amy was born in Towanda, Oct. 18, 1973, a daughter of John R. McKernan and Marie H. Harney. She graduated from the Wyalusing High School, a member of the Class of 1992 where she was a cheerleader for the athletic program. She marriage John T. Frederick of Wyalusing on Oct. 29, 1994 and was currently employed by the Procter & Gamble Paper Products Co. in Mehoopany.
Amy was a member of St. Basil’s Church, Dushore. She was also an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed riding her Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Surviving are her spouse, John, at home; a son, Derek Frederick, at home; a brother, James M. McKernan, Wilmot; her father, John R. McKernan, Dushore; mother, Marie H. McKernan, Dushore; paternal grandparents, John D. and Betty L.
Mildred Johnson
Nov. 25, 2002
Mildred H. Johnson, age 95, died on Monday, Nov. 25, 2002 at the Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit, Towanda. For the past year, she was a resident at the Wyalusing Personal Care Home.
She was born Aug. 23, 1907 in Pittstown and had lived many years in the High Bridge area before moving to Pennsylvania in 1990.
She was the daughter of Albert and Harriet LeQueer Hann.
Many years ago, she was a bookkeeper for the Taylor Wharton Steel Plant in High Bridge. She was a member of the High Bridge United Methodist Church and the Hobart Chapter Order of Eastern Star, both in High Bridge.
She was predeceased by her husband, Floyd D. Johnson, who died in 1966; a son, Jay Johnson of Annandale; a grandson, Robert Jay Hall of High Bridge; a brother, Mitchell Hann and a sister, Catherine Allen.
Surviving are her daughter, Jean C. Hall of Wyalusing; two granddaughters, Donna Jean Gardner of Milford and Janice Hardenber of Bloomsburg and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30 at the Naughright-Scarponi Funeral Home, 66 Main St., High Bridge. Interment was at Musconetcong Valley Cemetery, Hampton. Calling hours were on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. with an 8 p.m. service by the Eastern Star.
Edward Zeidler
Nov. 18, 2002
Edward Zeidler, age 73, of Vero Beach, FL died on Monday, Nov. 18, 2002 at Indian River Memorial Hospital in Vero Beach. He was born on Sept. 23, 1929 in Philadelphia, the son of the late Edward and Alice Zeidler.
When Ed was a teenager he came from the city and worked on Michael Horutz’s farm in Standing Stone Township. Ed had a great love for this part of the country. On Nov. 5, 1955, he marriage the former Peggy (Minnie Amelia) French. She died at the age of 30 and was the love of his life.
Ed was employed for 42 years by Whitman’s Chocolates in Philadelphia and after retirement, he moved to New Jersey. Twelve years ago he moved to a warmer climate (Vero Beach).
Ed was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion in Pennsylvania.
Surviving are his companion, Helen Kehlman of Vero Beach; three sons and daughters-in-law, Bruce and Renee Zeidler of Standing Stone, Rick and Laura of Leavenworth, KS and Jeffrey Zeidler of Revere; a daughter, Brenda Kline-Tucker of Burlington, VT; grandsons, Rick and Jeff Zeidler of Leavenworth, KS, Ryan and Christopher Kline of Philadelphia; two granddaughters, Tara of Boston, MA and Jenna Tucker of Burlington, VT; one brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Barbara Zeidler of Bensalem and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Dorothy and Jack Bates of Philadelphia and Rosetta and Fred Carroll of Winder, GA.
Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy French Zeidler on June 28, 1961; his parents, brother, James and sister, Alice Zeidler; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Guy and Alice French of Standing Stone; four brothers-in-law, Bobby French, David French, Francis French and Elwood Rogers and a nephew, Michael Pardoe.
Entombment was at the Hillcrest Memorial Mausoleum, Fort Pierce, FL on Nov. 21, 2002.
Mildred Johnson
Nov. 25, 2002
Mildred H. Johnson, age 95, died on Monday, Nov. 25, 2002 at the Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit, Towanda. For the past year, she was a resident at the Wyalusing Personal Care Home.
She was born Aug. 23, 1907 in Pittstown and had lived many years in the High Bridge area before moving to Pennsylvania in 1990.
She was the daughter of Albert and Harriet LeQueer Hann.
Many years ago, she was a bookkeeper for the Taylor Wharton Steel Plant in High Bridge. She was a member of the High Bridge United Methodist Church and the Hobart Chapter Order of Eastern Star, both in High Bridge.
She was predeceased by her husband, Floyd D. Johnson, who died in 1966; a son, Jay Johnson of Annandale; a grandson, Robert Jay Hall of High Bridge; a brother, Mitchell Hann and a sister, Catherine Allen.
Surviving are her daughter, Jean C. Hall of Wyalusing; two granddaughters, Donna Jean Gardner of Milford and Janice Hardenber of Bloomsburg and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30 at the Naughright-Scarponi Funeral Home, 66 Main St., High Bridge. Interment was at Musconetcong Valley Cemetery, Hampton. Calling hours were on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. with an 8 p.m. service by the Eastern Star.
Catherine Jacobson
Dec. 5, 2002
Catherine Ellsworth Jacobson, age 91, formerly of Tunkhannock, PA, died at her daughter, Dr. Barbara Jacobson’s home in Sacramento, CA on Thursday evening, Dec. 5, 2002 after a long illness.
Born at Craig Hill, Meshoppen, PA on April 11, 1911, she was a daughter of the late Ellis D. and Daisy Camp Ellsworth.
She was a graduate of Meshoppen High School, Class of 1929. In 1932, she became a registered nurse, graduating from the Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. In 1937, she graduated from the Western Reserve University Hospital in Cleveland, OH as a Nurse Anesthetist. She worked at Williamsport Hospital for several years.
She was a member of the American Medical Association Auxiliary and Eliza Barnes Chapter #480 Eastern Star. While in Williamsport, she was a member of the Oheb Sholom Synagogue. Since residing in Tunkhannock, for 18 years, she was a member of the Meshoppen United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her children: two sons and their wives, Dr. Robert (a twin) and Joyce Jacobson of Dallas, TX, Richard and Jin Mei Jacobson of Charlotte, NC; two daughters, Dr. Barbara Jacobson (a twin) of Sacramento, CA and Patricia J. Parker of Corpus Christi, TX; four grandsons, Jeffrey and Joey Jacobson, both of Dallas, TX, Michael Parker of Maine and Philip Jacobson of Charlotte, NC; five granddaughters, Nicole Betts of Sacramento, CA, Jennifer Parker of New York City, NY, Kristen Jacobson of New Jersey and Jing Jing Jacobson and Ling Ling Jacobson, both of Charlotte, NC; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Robins of Sun City, FL; several nieces and nephews. Also, two special nieces, Mildred G. Johnson of Tunkhannock and Katherine G. Wheeler of Springville. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Philip Jacobson in 1984; a sister, Merle E. Gyle in 1936 and two brothers, Clarence Ellsworth in 1976 and Joseph Ellsworth in 1995.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, with Rev. Dan Herron of the Meshoppen United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be in the Overfield Cemetery in Meshoppen. Family and friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Memorial donations may be made to the Meshoppen United Methodist Church, RR4, Box 4021, Meshoppen, PA 18630 or to the Tunkhannock Ambulance Association, PO Box, Tunkhannock, PA 18657.
Leo Griffith
Dec. 4, 2002
Mr. Leo (Johnny) Griffith, age 88, of RR4, Box 4134, Stanek Rd., Meshoppen, PA, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002 at the Carpenter Care Center in Tunkhannock after an illness.
Born in Lopez, Sullivan County, PA on Dec. 22, 1913, he was the son of the late Harry and Stella Searfoss Griffith. Mr. Griffith was the husband of the late Arlene Smales Griffith, who passed away on Aug. 7, 1991. Johnny and Arlene were marriage for 57 years before her passing away.
Mr. Griffith was a dairy farmer on Stanek Rd., Meshoppen, for many years, and before, was a dairy farmer in Jenningsville in his earlier years. He enjoyed his farms and being outdoors very much, over the years.
He was a member of the Meshoppen United Methodist Church, a member of the Franklin Lodge #263 F&AM of Laceyville, for over 50 years. While in the Masonic Lodge, he was Master of the Lodge in 1970. He was a 50-year member of the Irem Temple Shrine in Wilkes-Barre. Leo served on the Claverack Board of Directors since December of 1950. Leo also served as chairman of the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association from 1969-1970. He was recently honored by the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association for his 50 plus years of service as a cooperative director. He also served on the board of directors of the Tyler Memorial Hospital in Meshoppen and through the transition to Tunkhannock, serving many years until 1975. Leo was well-known throughout the cooperative program and will be missed by his many friends and associates. In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling and hunting and fishing on his farms and ponds.
He is survived by his close friend and companion for the past 10 years, Mrs. Elsie Buckingham; a daughter and son-in-law, Gail and Don James of Meshoppen; brother-in-law, Torrence Smith of Muncy and two sisters-in-law, Evelyn Stevens of Jenningsville and Maxine Smales of Tunkhannock; also many nieces and nephews. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold Griffith and Richard Stevens and three sisters, Anna Imbriani, Florence Mosier and Marguerite Smith.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002 at 11 a.m. from the Meshoppen United Methodist Church, with Rev. Dan Herron of the church, officiating. Interment was in the Jersey Hill Cemetery. Friends and family called at the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, on Friday, Dec. 6 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Masonic Services were held on Friday evening at 8:30 p.m., conducted by members of the Franklin Lodge #263 F&AM.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing, may make memorial donations to the Meshoppen United Methodist Church, the Meshoppen Volunteer Fire Company or to the Tyler Memorial Hospital.
Patricia Drogan
Dec. 4, 2002
Miss Patricia Ann Drogan, age 57, of 99 N. Dawes Ave., Kingston, PA, passed away at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002 after a long illness. Patricia was a resident of Kingston since June of 2001; before that, she was a resident of the White Haven State Center in White Haven, PA for many years.
Born in Waverly, NY on April 30, 1945, she was the daughter of the late John J. and Marjorie Stark Drogan.
While at the White Haven Center, Patricia loved to have her hair done, and very much enjoyed make-up and jewelry. She also enjoyed music and dancing and many arts and crafts.
She is survived by her brother, Stark (Jerry) Drogan of Meshoppen; a niece, Michelle Drogan and a nephew, Matthew Drogan, both of Meshoppen; also several cousins.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, with Rev. Dan Herron of the Meshoppen United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment was in the Jersey Hill Cemetery. There were no calling hours.
Bernard O’Neil
Nov. 30, 2002.
Bernard Francis (Butch) O’Neil, age 50, of Albany Township, PA, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2002.
Butch was born Sept. 24, 1952, son of Mary T. McGee O’Neil and the late Raymond Thomas O’Neil, both of Albany Valley. He graduated from the Wyalusing Valley High School, a member of the Class of 1970. He and his younger brother, Mike O’Neil, were very involved with the Rams wrestling team, which had a 14-1 record in Butch’s senior year.
Butch was a lifelong dairy farmer in Albany Township and was also an avid hunter and trapper.
He was a member of St. Basil’s Catholic Church in Dushore and also served as an usher at Sunday mass.
Surviving are his mother, Mary O’Neil, at home; a brother and sister-in-law, Joseph P. and Suzette O’Neil, Laddsburg; sisters and brother-in-law, Patricia O’Neil, Kingston, Kelly and Chris Fry, Dushore; a sister-in-law, Cheryl O’Neil, Wyalusing; four nieces and three nephews. He was predeceased by his dad, Ray on Oct. 25, 1984 and a brother, R. Michael O’Neil on Nov. 10, 1993.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 9:30 a.m. and were followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Basil’s Church, Dushore with the Rev. Michael B. Harris, his pastor, presiding. Interment was in St. Basil’s Cemetery, Dushore.
Friends called at the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home on Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Memorials may be directed to the Michael O’Neil Wrestling Scholarship Fund, c/o Wyalusing Valley High School, RR2, Box 7, Wyalusing, PA 18853 or St. Basil’s Restoration Fund, PO Box 307, Dushore, PA 18614.
