Obituaries by LocationBruce Singer
Jan. 14, 2003
Bruce K. Singer, 72, of 22 Mt. Airy Estates, Tunkhannock, PA, died Tuesday morning, Jan. 14, 2003 at the Community Medical Center in Scranton after being suddenly stricken. He and his wife, the former Bertha M. Weaver celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary on Dec. 22.
He was born Nov. 29, 1930 in Ft. Totten, NY, son of the late Frank S. and Martha Root Singer.
He served in the Air Force and was a veteran of Korea and Vietnam, retiring as a staff sergeant in 1969.
He retired from Procter & Gamble, Mehoopany, after 22 years of employment. He was presently employed at the state Department of Transportation photo licensing bureau in Tunkhannock.
Bruce attended the Lemon United Methodist Church. He was a member of the American Legion Post #457, Tunkhannock; VFW Post #3583, Mehoopany; Odd Fellows Lodge 699, Lemon; member and board member, Wyoming County Historical Society and was a recruiter for Trooper Kristal Turner Childs of the Pennsylvania State Police. He was actively involved with the State Police/American Legion sponsored State Police Youth Week, held each June at Scotland School.
Surviving besides his wife are a son, Leo O. Singer, Tunkhannock; a daughter, Ethel L. Singer, Sugar Run; two sisters, Betty Cote, Florida and Bea Hamilton, Chenango Forks, NY and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death
by a brother, Howard.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Jan. 17 at 11 a.m. from Harding-Litwin Funeral Home, 123 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, with Rev. Edwin Simmons of Lemon United Methodist Church, officiating.
Friends may call Thursday (today) from 3 to 7 p.m.
Interment will be in Sunnyside Cemetery, Tunkhannock.
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
William Whelan
Jan. 4, 2003
William J. Whelan, age 64, of Doylestown, PA, formerly of Maple Glen, died on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003 at Doylestown Hospital.
Born and raised in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia, he was the son of the late John T. and Coretta Riley Whelan.
He was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Doylestown and a former member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Maple Glen.
Mr. Whelan was a retired Spanish teacher at Episcopal Academy, where he taught for 28 years.
Mr. Whelan was the recipient of many awards at Episcopal including in June, 1993, the Bishop William White Award, given in recognition of dedicated service to the education and growth of Episcopal Academy students and the Raymond II Keegan coaching service award at Episcopal and he also was responsible for starting the Sunshine Club, which was endowed by the Academy when he retired.
Surviving are his wife of 30 years, Lisa K. Collins Whelan; his daughter, Christina M. Whelan, at home; a sister, Mary Teresa Sweeney of Wynnewood; two brothers, Edward J. Whelan of Blue Bell and Thomas J. Whelan of Bala Cynwyd and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, John T. Whelan.
Relatives and friends attended his funeral on Thursday evening, Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at LaSalle College High School, 8605 Cheltenham Ave., Wyndmoor, PA 19038, where the family received friends from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Interment was on Friday morning at 11:30 a.m. in St. John Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont.
For those desiring, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hogar Infantil Orphanage, c/o The Augustinians, 3604 Beyer Blvd., San Ysidro, CA 92173 or LaSalle College High School, Wyndmoor. Arrangements were made by Simcox-McIlvaine Funeral Home, Lansdale.
Joseph Pilling
Jan. 12, 2003
Mr. Joseph W. Pilling, age 71, of RR3, Box 17-B, Meshoppen, PA (Shannon Hill), passed away at his home on Sunday evening, Jan. 12, 2003 after a long illness.
Born in Philadelphia on Oct. 17, 1931, he was the son of the late William and Dorothy Stevenson Pilling.
Mr. Pilling was a graduate of the Philadelphia West Catholic High School for Boys, Class of 1949. For 12 years he was a member of the PA National Guard, serving with the 111th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division, as a Master Sergeant, discharged on Dec. 12, 1960. For 23 years, he was a policeman with the Philadelphia Police Department, retiring in 1979 as a Lieutenant.
He was a member of St. Joachim’s Roman Catholic Church and its Holy Name Society of Meshoppen; a past member of the Tunkhannock Barbershoppers Choir and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Retired Police and Fire Association of Philadelphia, League of the Sacred Heart, Men of Malvern and the American Legion of Philadelphia.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, the former Beatrice V. (Ginny) Beecher Pilling of Meshoppen; a daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Rick Alfieri of Tunkhannock; three sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph, Jr. and Regina Pilling of Drexel Hill, Daniel and Tina Pilling and Richard and Lori Pilling, all of Philadelphia; also, seven grandchildren, Lorraine Jackson, Regina Alfieri, Ryan Alfieri, Daniel Pilling, Matthew Alfieri, Joseph Pilling, III and Catherine Pilling.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 9:30 a.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, with a Mass of Christian Burial at the St. Joachim’s Roman Catholic Church in Meshoppen at 10 a.m., with Father Joseph J. Manarchuck of the church, officiating. Interment was in the Arlington Cemetery in Drexel Hill at a later date. Family and friends called at the funeral home on Tuesday evening, Jan. 14 from 7 to 9 with a vigil service to be read at 8:30 p.m.
Joseph Ross
Jan. 8, 2002
Joseph James Ross, age 84, of Hillsgrove, PA, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2002 at his home. He was born in Jeanette on June 18, 1918, a son of the late James K. and Nellie Dedcavage Ross. He attended local schools and began working in the Tower City area coal mines.
Joe marriage the former Mary Ann Yahemsky of Cass Township, Schuylkill County on Sept. 18, 1937. She predeceased him on Aug. 2, 1985.
Joe served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. After the war, he continued in the coal mines until being employed by H. J. Williams Construction Company of York in 1955, where he worked as a mechanic until retiring to Hillsgrove in 1984. Williams was a large company that was involved in large road projects. Joe worked on the original construction of Interstate 81 and also the Blue Mountain tunnel on the PA Turnpike.
In retirement, he was an avid fly fisherman and also built cabinets and furniture for his home.
Surviving are two daughters and a son-in-law, Marianne Ross, Franklintown, Margaret K. Ross and Jacob Spahr, Hillsgrove; sister and brother-in-law, Jennie and Albert Abrachinsky, Pottsville; two grandchildren, Nancy Jean May and Luke Sullivan, both of Dillsburg; a great-grandson, Tim Sullivan, Miami, FL; two nieces and two nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Charles Ross of St. Clair.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Basil’s Catholic Church, with the Rev. Michael B. Harris, pastor, presiding. Interment was in St. Basil’s Cemetery .
Memorials may be directed to Susquehanna Hospice, 1201 Grampian Blvd., Williamsport, PA 17701.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore.
Arlene Ellis
Jan. 6, 2003
Arlene Mae Ellis, age 61, of Friendsville, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Jan. 6, 2003 at Binghamton General Hospital. She was born in Johnson City to Rachel J. (Benedict) Johnson and the late Lewis R. Johnson. Her husband of over 40 years, Smokey Ellis, survives.
Arlene graduated from Vestal High School, worked for IBM for many years, loved to do ceramics and took ceramic classes with Julie Lewis for over 15 years. She also loved to swim, read, watch movies and e-mail. Arlene loved her babies, her dogs, Cody, Cindy and Gizmo.
Besides her husband and mother, Arlene is survived by her brothers, sisters and their spouses, Albert Raymond and Donna Johnson, Birchardville, Frank and Tiny Johnson, Friendsville, Dorothy Sperry, Vestal, NY, Linda Collins, Friendsville; a half sister, Joanne Andrie, Bullhead City, AZ; half sister-in-law, Betty Johnson, Sioux City, IA and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides her father, she was also predeceased by an infant son, Danny and a half brother, Bob Johnson.
At Arlene’s request, the family will have a gathering of friends and family at a later date. She will be laid to rest in the family Cemetery at the family’s convenience. Arrangements were made through the Daniel K. Regan Funeral Home.
Billy Childress
Jan. 9, 2003
Mr. Billy E. Childress, age 74, of RR3, Box 106, Meshoppen, PA, (Rushboro) passed away at the Community Medical Center in Scranton early Thursday morning, Jan. 9, 2003.
Born in Tazewell, VA on Feb. 1, 1928, he was the son of the late John Wesley and Grace Marie Pruitt Childress.
Mr. Childress was a veteran of the U.S. Marines, where he served his country from 1945 until 1948 in the Asiatic Pacific Theater.
From 1965 until 1972, he and his brother owned and operated Childress Brothers Dairy in Blairstown, NJ, after which the Childress family moved to the Meshoppen area and Billy worked as a herdsman for Sire Power in Tunkhannock until he retired in 1988.
He is survived by his wife, Luella Waldron Childress of Rushboro; four sons, William Childress of Branchville, NJ, Jeffrey Childress of Toms River, NJ, Michael Childress of Rushboro and Mark Childress of Stillwater, NJ; two daughters, Nancy Mikkelson of Blairstown, NJ and Theresa Hendershot of Westtown, NY; three brothers, Buddy Childress and Phillip Childress, both of Rushboro and Ronald Childress of Meshoppen; two sisters, Bonnie Headley of Oak Ridge, NJ and Shirley Conboy of Montrose; 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Charlene Childress in 1999; three sisters, Edna Childress in 1932, Corine Benscoter in 1998 and Rose Marie Childress in 1973.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 5 p.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, with the Rev. Gary Myers of the Meshoppen Biblical Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will be at the convenience of the family at a later date in the Jersey Hill Cemetery. Family and friends called at the funeral home on Saturday from 3 p.m. until the time of the service.
Carl Campbell
Jan. 8, 2003.
Carl E. Campbell, age 64, of Hillsgrove, PA, passed away at his home in the late afternoon on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003.
He was born on Oct. 23, 1938 in Estella, a son of Theodore and Martha Hess Campbell.
Carl was a veteran, having served in the United States Navy.
On Sept. 9, 1961, he marriage Connie Edkin in Hillsgrove. They had celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary.
On Dec. 1, 2001, he retired from PP&L as a serviceman, giving 32 years of service.
He spent most of his marriage life in the Hillsgrove area. He was a member of the Hillsgrove Union Church.
His other memberships include the Hillsgrove Fire Company, New Albany VFW and Highland Lake Manor 40&8.
In his younger years, he enjoyed playing baseball. He played baseball, coached Little League and played softball.
Carl enjoyed time spent in Atlantic City.
He left surviving his wife, Connie Edkin Campbell, at home; his mother, Martha Hess Campbell; three children, Frank and Sylvia Campbell of Hillsgrove, Michael "Mickey" Campbell of Overton, Julie and Scott Rutledge of Byhalia, MI; a sister and brother-in-law, Carrie and "Bud" Harvey Breniesen; three grandchildren, Allyson Rodie, Eric Rodie and Christina Rodie; four nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Theodore Campbell.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. in the Hillsgrove Union Church, with the Rev. Phyllis Hunter, pastor, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hillsgrove Union Church or the Hillsgrove Fire Company in Mr. Campbell’s memory.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Russell P. McHenry Funeral Home, 119 Carpenter St., Dushore.
Robert Holdren
Jan. 6, 2003
Mr. Robert M. Holdren, well-known to his friends and colleagues as Bob Holdren, age 72, of RR2, Box 2297, Laceyville, PA 18623 went to be with his Lord and Savior Monday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2003 at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Silvara on March 8, 1930, he was the son of the late Burr E. and Daisy Miller Holdren. Raised in Skinners Eddy, he graduated from Laceyville High School in 1947, then continued his education at Lackawanna Business College in Scranton.
He started a 55-year career as a building materials salesman with Whipple Lumber Co., Inc. in Laceyville where he developed many lifelong friendships serving many contractors and clients throughout the Northeast.
A two-year interruption in his employment was a call to military service in the U.S. Army as a Private First Class during the Korean War. During his military years, he played and recorded with various groups and bands as a pianist throughout Kentucky, Georgia and Massachusetts.
He continued sharing his musical gift in various groups such as with his father Burr Holdren as caller at local square dances, The Doc Place Band, pre-show entertainment for the Local Barbershop Concerts, the Harford Fair, musical entertainment with John Bolles in "Memories & Melody," accompany his daughter, Melody, vocals, many solo engagements and more recently with the Dean Balcomb Band.
He was a member of the Belltones Gospel Group for over 20 years, played piano for the Braintrim Baptist Church Men’s Sunday School class since 1966 where he attended church and ministered at local nursing homes through his music and testimony. He was an exceedingly caring and thoughtful man with a keen sense of humor, who greatly loved his Lord, his family and people. Where his life and business took him, he carried his faith in Jesus Christ and loved to simply share it.
He also enjoyed hunting with his sons, attending his grandchildren’s sporting and school events and enjoying times together with his family. He has been a wonderfully loving and supportive husband and father, who is so dearly loved and missed.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, the former Doris B. LaFrance of South Auburn, along with three children: one daughter and son-in-law, Melody Holdren Montross and her husband, Dennis of Tunkhannock; two sons and daughters-in-law, Frank Holdren and his wife, Lori of Laceyville, and Torrey Holdren and his wife, Amy of Tunkhannock. Also surviving are his greatly loved grandchildren, Lorissa, Laci, Codey and Kiley Holdren; one brother, Harold Holdren; four sisters, Mrs. Bonnie Jayne, Mrs. Lolita Jayne, Mrs. Beryle Ciprich and Mrs. Norma Harrington and many other relatives.
Services will be held at the Braintrim Baptist Church on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 11 a.m. The Rev. Thomas Davis, the Rev. James Brock and Mr. Frank Baldwin, brother-in-law, will officiate. Calling hours will be Friday, Jan. 10 from 1 to 3 and 6 to 9 p.m. at the Braintrim Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bobby Holdren Memorial Musician’s Award Fund to the Grange National Bank, c/o Mrs. Gerri Jayne, PO Box 56, Laceyville, PA 18623.
Arrangements were made through the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St. Laceyville.
Rita Barrett
Jan. 4, 2003
Rita L. Barrett, 72, of Deposit, NY, died unexpectedly Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003 at her home.
She was predeceased by her husband, Charles R. Barrett, on May 23, 2002.
She is survived by a daughter, Zandra Barrett, Deposit; two grandchildren, Sarah Salsman and Kevin Kingsbury; three great-grandchildren, Alex, Ebin and Christian; three sisters, Lee Ann Cohen, Ellenville, NY, Erie Amidon, Syracuse, NY and Landra Perry, Bath, NY; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She had worked for many years for Valley Offset Printing in Deposit. She was a member and director of the Deposit Community Historical Society and member of Delaware Chapter #244 O.E.S.
Funeral and committal services were held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003, at the Zacharias Funeral Home in Deposit with Rev. Joseph Axtell, Pastor of the Sherman Bible Chapel of Sherman, Pa., officiating. Burial will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Deposit, in the spring. Friends called at the funeral home on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 1 p.m. until the time of service. An Eastern Star Ritualistic Service was held at 8 p.m. Tuesday evening.
Friends wishing, may make memorial contributions to the Deposit Community Historical Society.
Jessie Vanderpool
Jan. 1, 2003
Jessie Lou Johnson Vanderpool, 89, widow of Sheldon Vanderpool of Monroeton RR1, Monroe Township, PA, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2003 at the Bradford County Manor, West Burlington Township, PA.
Born Oct. 23, 1913 in Springville, Wyoming County, she was a daughter of the late William and Lillie Springer Johnson. Jessie was employed by the Towanda Folding Box Company for 26 years and later by Sylvania Electric in Towanda for several years. She enjoyed fishing and the outdoors.
Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Laverne E. and Leeta Vanderpool of Mount Bethel; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Algy and Stanley Johnson, both of Tioga; three sisters, Lila Kinner of Laporte, Doris Baer of Shade Gap, Mary Van Campen of Texas; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Sheldon Vanderpool in 1973; three sons, Charles Vanderpool in 1992, Gordon Vanderpool in 1996 and Algy Vanderpool in May 2002; two daughters, Albertha Beach and Virginia Vanderpool; four brothers, Sheldon, Paul, Noble and Ralph Johnson; two sisters, Mildred Johnson and Florence Jenkins.
The funeral service was held on Monday, Jan. 6 at 11 a.m. at the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home, 217 York Ave., Towanda, with the Rev. Jason Guillaume, pastor of the Powell United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment was in the Monroeton Cemetery, Monroeton.
The family received friends on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and on Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
The family suggests that memorials be directed to the Powell United Methodist Church in care of Todd Bacon, RR3, Box 277, Towanda, PA 18848 in Mrs. Vanderpool’s memory.
