Obituaries by LocationMarjorie Hinds
Dec. 31, 2002
Mrs. Marjorie M. Hinds, age 95, formerly of 10 Maple St., Laceyville, PA, passed away
at the Carpenter Care Center in Tunkhannock on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 31, 2002. She had been a resident of Carpenter Care Center for the past three years.
Born in Laceyville on Sept. 30, 1907, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Luvia Carter Michael. Mrs. Hinds was the wife of the late Donald L. (Len) Hinds, who passed away on Jan. 9, 1991.
Mrs. Hinds was a graduate of Laceyville High School and also a graduate of Susquehanna University. She taught in the English department at Montrose Area High School for 36 years. Her graduate work was done at the University of New Hampshire.
Always a lover and collector of books, she also enjoyed good music and art. She was the author of five published books and several gospel hymns.
Mrs. Hinds was a past member of the Braintrim Baptist Church in Laceyville, where she taught an adult Sunday School class for some time. For the past several years, when she was able, she attended the Independent Baptist Church in Towanda. She was also a member of the Montrose Teachers Association and PSEA.
Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Harry Michael and two sisters, Marion Jayne and Dorothy Michael.
Funeral services were held on Friday, Jan. 3, 2003 at 11 a.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Laceyville, with Rev. Darris Hauser, retired minister of the Independent Baptist Church in Towanda, officiating. Interment was in the Lacey St. Cemetery, Laceyville. Calling hours were held on Friday, one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing, may make memorial donations to the Independent Baptist Church, Towanda or to the Montrose Public Library.
Willard Gary
Dec. 23, 2002
Willard M. Gary, age 82, of Rush Twp., PA, died on Monday, Dec. 23, 2002 at Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock. He was born March 23, 1920 in Rush Twp., Susquehanna County, PA and was the son of the late Byron G. and Helen (James) Gary. On Oct. 17, 1959, he was marriage to Leoma Cook, who survives him.
He graduated from the Rush High School, Class of 1938.
Willard was a self-employed dairy farmer and enjoyed singing and sung with the Harmony Men. He was very active with his church and a long-time deacon, former Sunday School Superintendent and was very devoted to his family.
In addition to his wife, survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Elizabeth G. and James P. Gundlach, Energy, IL, Ruth E. and Mark Gillette, Burlington, NC, Nannette D. and Darren Pettyjohn, Montrose; 12 grandchildren, Sarah, Emily, Heather, Mary Beth, Daniel, Stephen, Rachel, Susanna, Andrew, Benjamin, Nathaneal, Abigail; brothers and sisters-in-law, J. Arthur and Hazel Gary, Rush, Harold G. and Sara Gary, Tiffany Corners; sisters and brother-in-law, Ruth G. Snyder, Montrose, Janet M. and Robert Fuller, Berkshire, NY; a sister-in-law, Connie (Holmes) Gary; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Richard T. Gary and Dana E. Gary and his first wife, Sally L. (Holmes) Gary.
Services were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 27 at the Birchardville Baptist Church. The family received friends from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at the church.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Birchardville Baptist Church Missionary Fund, RR5, Box 136, Montrose, PA18801.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Bartron Funeral Home, Inc., a Selected Independent Funeral Home, 74 Church St., Montrose.
James Baker
Dec. 27, 2002
James E. Baker, age 54, of 38 Sickler Road, Meshoppen, PA, passed away at his home in Wash-ington Township, Wyoming County on Friday, Dec. 27, 2002. James was a resident of the Meshoppen area all of his life.
Born in Montrose on Jan. 6, 1948, he was the son of the late John and Lillian Harvey Baker.
Mr. Baker was a graduate of Elk Lake High School, Class of 1968. He was employed by various em-ployers including the Tunkhannock Shoe Factory, Kintner Milling Co., Meshoppen, the Meshoppen Bor-ough and for Smokey Burgess Trucking and Farms, Meshoppen.
For many years, James was ac-tive in the Meshoppen Fire Com-pany, helping around the fire hall and years ago at their annual carni-val.
He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Roger (Hattie) Sharts, Sugar Run and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Pearl Roof, who passed away on Dec. 23, 1983.
Memorial services were held on Sunday, Jan. 5 at 2 p.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, with Rev. Gary Myers of the Meshoppen Biblical Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will be at the convenience of the family at a later date in Keiserville Ceme-tery.
In lieu of flowers, those wish-ing, may make memorial donations to the Meshoppen Fire Company.
Louise LaFrance
Dec. 23, 2002
Mrs. Louise B. LaFrance, age 75, of RR4, Box 4050, Allen St., Meshoppen, PA, passed away at the V.N.A. Hospice of Lackawanna County in the Community Medical Center, Scranton, on Monday evening, Dec. 23, 2002.
Born in Meshoppen on Oct. 18, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Jennie Phillips Bunnell. Mrs. LaFrance was the wife of the late Boyd C. LaFrance, who passed away on June 25, 1987.
Louise was a graduate of the Meshoppen High School, Class of 1945 and also a graduate of Robert Packer Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1948. In her younger years, she was a registered nurse at Tyler Memorial Hospital in Meshoppen.
She was a member of the Meshoppen United Methodist Church and was also a member of the Eastern Star, Meshoppen Chapter #70. For many years, Louise was Meshoppen Borough tax collector, retiring in 2000.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Tim (Tracie) McGavin of Meshoppen; a brother, Max E. Bunnell, Meshoppen; two grandchildren, Timothy and Kayla McGavin, both of Meshoppen; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gerald and Dorothy LaFrance, Wyalusing and Ronald and Ruth LaFrance, Owego, NY; several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Wendy Lee LaFrance, who passed away on April 28, 1990.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Dec. 28 at 11 a.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, with Rev. Dan Herron of the Meshoppen United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment was in the Overfield Cemetery in Meshoppen.
Friends and family called at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. Eastern Star services were held on Friday evening at the funeral home at 8:30 p.m., conducted by the members of the Eastern Star, Meshoppen Chapter #70.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing, may make memorial donations to the Meshoppen United Methodist Church or to the Meshoppen Fire Company.
Doris Hepner
Dec. 20, 1933
Doris Eugene "Gene" Hepner, age 69, of Horseheads, NY passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002. Doris was born Dec. 20, 1933 in Wyalusing, PA, the daughter of Robert Eugene Hepner and Doris Brown Hepner.
"Gene" was a Reading Specialist with The New York State Department of Corrections at The Elmira Correctional Facility in Elmira, NY. She was an active and devout communicant of St. Mary Our Mother Church in Horseheads. "Gene’ was the president of The Parish Council of St. Mary Our Mother Church from 1994-1998, a member of the Liturgical Committee, a Eucharistic Minister and a lector at Mass.
She was also a member of the Chemung Area Reading Council, League of Women Voters, American University Women, Association of Chemung County Housing Board and the Chemung County Council of Women.
"Gene" was pre-deceased by her father, Robert Eugene Hepner.
"Gene" is survived by her mother, Doris Brown Hepner of Elmira, NY; son and daughter-in-law: Thomas E. and Ruth Tucker of Horseheads, NY; daughters and sons-in-law: Teresa and Max Graves of Lancaster, CA and Mary and James Normand of Aliso Viejo, CA; grandchildren, Kyle Normand, Grant Normand and Katrina Crowley; great granddaughter, Samantha Crowley; sisters: Jane Krause of New Albany, and Roberta Sweithelm of Rockville Centre, L.I., NY; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of caring friends.
It was "Gene’s" wishes that there be no prior calling hours. Relatives and friends were invited to attend a Memorial Service celebrating "Gene’s" Life on Monday, Dec. 30, 2002 at 11 a.m. in St. Mary Our Mother Church, 816 W. Broad St., Horseheads, NY. The Rev. Christoper E. Linsler officiated. Interment in Wyalusing Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
"Gene" has requested that she be remembered through memorial contributions to The Chemung Area Reading Council, St. Mary Our Mother Church or The League of Women Voters.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Van Buskirk-Lynch Funeral Home in Horseheads, NY.
Lester Price, III
Dec. 18, 2002
Lester W. Price, III of Wyalusing, PA passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002 at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh, surrounded by his family. Lester was born in Brooklyn, NY on July 22, 1958, son of Lester W., II and Sarah Gibbons Price. He moved to Wyalusing as a teenager and graduated from the Wyalusing Valley High School, a member of the Class of 1975. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Army and joined the 82nd Airborne. After the service, Lester worked for the U.S. Forestry in Oregon and later did construction work in Texas and Pittsburgh.
Lester was an outdoorsman; he especially loved hiking and camping, as well as hunting. He was a very avid Mets baseball fan. He was a beloved father, son and brother.
Lester was a member of St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church in Wyalusing.
Surviving are a son, Lester W. Price, IV, Pittsburgh; his parents, Lester and Sarah Price, Wyalusing; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Anna Marie Dancear, Pittsburgh, Debbie and Donald Surrett, Newport News, VA, Kathy and Todd Secules, Towanda, Diane and Curt Showalter, Wyalusing; 12 nephews and one niece. He was predeceased by infant twin brothers, James and Joseph.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Dec. 23 at 9 a.m. from the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 1 Grovedale Lane, Wyalusing and was followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, with the Rev. Kenneth M. Seegar, his pastor, presiding. Interment was in the Wyalusing Cemetery .
Friends called on Sunday, Dec. 22 at the funeral home from 2 to 8 p.m.
Joseph Mihalek
Dec. 19, 2002
Joseph E. Mihalek, Sr., 83, of Wyalusing RR3, Orwell Township, PA, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002 at the DarWay Nursing Home in Forksville RR2, PA.
Born Oct. 16, 1919 in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Peter and Ann Mihalek.
Joseph was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army in the European Theatre. He was employed by the Imperial Chemical Company in Philadelphia for 45 years until his retirement. Joseph was a member of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Towanda.
Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph E. and Linda Mihalek of Wyalusing RR3; grandchildren, Christina Gail Mihalek Marroquin and her husband, Joe Marroquin of Alpharetta, GA, Joseph F. Mihalek, III of Wyalusing RR3; two sisters, Pauline Swirsdine of Philadelphia, Ann Barclay of Springfield; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Stella T. Dilkus Mihalek on Dec. 1, 1992.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, Dec. 23 at 11 a.m. at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Third St., Towanda, with the Rev. Ronald Hughes, pastor, as celebrant.
Interment was in the SS Peter and Paul Cemetery, North Towanda, with Towanda American Legion Post No. 42 providing full military honors.
The family received friends on Monday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home, 217 York Ave., Towanda.
The family suggests that memorials be directed to the HOPS Ambulance Association, to whom Joseph was very grateful for their care and kindness, in care of James W. Seipler, Secretary-Treasurer, RR1, Box 280, Rome, PA 18837.
Margaret Luce
Dec. 20, 2002
Miss Margaret S. Luce, age 97, of Ann’s Grove Personal Care Home, RR3, Tunkhannock, PA, passed away on Friday morning, Dec. 20, 2002 after a long illness. She was a former resident of Black Walnut, where she resided for over 30 years.
Born in Lynn on July 12, 1905, she was the daughter of the late Edwin and Nellie Bunnell Luce.
Miss Luce was an elementary teacher all of her life, mostly teaching in the Great Neck area of Long Island, NY. She was a graduate of the Meshoppen High School and later graduated with a master’s degree from Bloomsburg State University.
She was a member of the Meshoppen United Methodist Church and also the New York State Retired Teacher’s Association.
Surviving are a nephew, James Luce; a great niece, Miss Jaime Luce, both of Laceyville. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Theodore Luce and George Luce and a sister, Doris Morton.
In respecting Miss Luce’s wishes, there were no calling hours or funeral service. A graveside service was held at the Overfield Cemetery, Meshoppen, with the Rev. Dan Herron of the Meshoppen United Methodist Church, officiating on Monday, Dec. 23 at 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial donations to the Meshoppen United Methodist Church or to Ann’s Grove Personal Care Home, RR3, Box 364-A, Tunkhannock, PA 18657.
Arrangements were made through the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen.
Joanna Burridge
Dec. 18, 2002
Mrs. Joanna L. Burridge, age 74, of RR2, Box 92, Meshoppen, PA (Byrd Hill Road), passed away at her home on Wednesday evening, Dec. 18, 2002 after a long illness.
Born in Plains on July 4, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Adam and Eva Sanders. Mrs. Burridge was the wife of the late David T. (Bearcat) Burridge, Jr., who passed away on Feb. 5, 2002.
Mrs. Burridge was employed for over 30 years as a seamstress and floor supervisor at the Meshoppen Coat Factory and later was employed at the M&M Manufacturing in Meshoppen until her retirement in 1989.
In her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting and sewing, also cooking and gardening in her flower garden. She also enjoyed many camping and fishing trips with her husband and family.
Surviving are two sons and daughter-in-law, Joseph Burridge of Factoryville and Duane and Renda Burridge of Mechanicsville, MD; three daughters and sons-in-law, Diana and James Punch, Sugar Run, Darlene and Bill Reynaud, Meshoppen and Dale Bowman of Spring Hill; two brothers, Joseph Sanders of Wapwallopen and Adam Sanders of Sparrows Point, MD; two sisters, Evelyn Lloyd of Albrightsville and Irene Vojacek of Bethany, OK; 22 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, with Rev. Dan Herron of the Meshoppen United Methodist Church and Rev. Dave Hinkley, retired from the Meshoppen United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment was in the Overfield Cemetery in Meshoppen. Family and friends called at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6 to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing, may make memorial donations to the American Cancer Society, 1101 Hill St., Jessup, PA 18434.
Jeslyn Aeppli
Dec. 16, 2002
Jeslyn Rose Aeppli, infant daughter of Amy and Roland Aeppli, Jr. of Herrickville, PA, passed away at the Memorial Hospital in Towanda on Monday, Dec. 16, 2002.
Jeslyn is survived by her parents, Amy and Roland Aeppli, Jr., her maternal grandmother, Valinda Pointek and friend, Siegfried Zehe of Friendsville; paternal grandparents, Roland, Sr. and Janet Aeppli of Herrickville; great-grandparents, Russell and Jeannetta Wells, Oscar and Pearl Aeppli and Iris Navarro; an uncle, Kevin Aeppli; two aunts, Kelly Brown and her husband, Robert and Melinda Coates and her husband, Jack; an uncle, Ryan and his wife, Lori Donovan; an aunt, Becky and husband, David Shores; three cousins, Tristen and Terry Shores and Nathaniel Donovan and several aunts and uncles.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Services are under the direction of the McHenry Funeral Home, 106 Church St., Wyalusing.
Leonard Secules
Dec. 12, 2002
Leonard "Bud" Secules, age 85, longtime resident of Troy, PA, passed away on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 12, 2002 at the Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre.
Born on Nov. 26, 1917 in Muncy Valley, Bud was the son of the late Harry and Bessie Fulmer Secules. He graduated from Sonestown High School with the Class of 1934.
In the late 1930s, Bud moved to Troy and on Aug. 30, 1941, he marriage Madeline Rosa Williams at the East Troy Baptist Church. Together, they purchased the former Scott farm in Troy Township and renamed it Rose-Bud Acres.
Bud was a farmer, truck driver and "jack of all trades." He was employed by, and in 1980, retired from Pen-Troy Machine Company. He later worked for Tennessee Gas Company until retiring in 1992. Bud also was an auxiliary policeman and worked with area civil defense programs.
Mr. Secules was a man of faith and an active member of the Troy Baptist Church. He served as a former church deacon, trustee and Sunday School superintendent. Involved in his community all his life, Bud was a Troy Grange member for over 70 years, serving as a past grange master, an officer of the Bradford-Sullivan Pomona Grange and a director of the Grange’s Sheep and Wool Growers. Mr. Secules enjoyed supporting area youth and was a Cub Scout leader, a den father and a 4-H leader for 27 years, proudly receiving the 4-H’s Cooperator of the Year Award in 1986. Bud was a past president of Troy High School’s PTA organization and was a member of the Troy Rod and Gun Club.
Mr. Secules is survived by his wife of 61 years, Madeline; a son and daughter-in-law, William "Bud" and Mary Secules of Towanda; three daughters and sons-in-law, Rosaline and John Turnbull, Sr. of Hawthorne, CA, Shirley and Ronald Morse of Canton, Rhea Secules of Exeter; seven grandsons, Tim Secules of Elmira, NY, Todd and Ty Secules, both of Towanda, John Turnbull, Jr. of Arcadia, CA, Robert Turnbull of El Segundo, CA, Jeffery Morse of West Milton, Michael Morse of Trout Run; 14 great-grandchildren, Brent, Michael, Jeremy, Sarah, Nicholas, Nathan, Tyler and Kaitlyn Secules, Brayden and Kelsey Turnbull, Kayla, Mariah, Nolan and Connor Morse; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bud was predeceased by a brother, Ernest; two sisters, Martha and Freda and a daughter-in-law, Shirley.
In keeping with Mr. Secules’s wishes, there were no calling hours. A memorial service and celebration of his life was held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16 at the First Baptist Church, Troy, with his pastor, Rev. Garry Zuber, officiating. A private interment will be held in the Glenwood Cemetery in Troy.
The family provided their own flowers and suggests that those who wish, may make memorials in Bud’s loving memory to the First Baptist Church in Troy, 162 Canton St., Troy, PA 16947.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Pepper Funeral Home, Springbrook Drive, Canton.
