Obituaries by LocationElizabeth Kinsley,
Dushore Resident,
Dies at Memorial
Elizabeth "Lizzy" Kinsley, age 70, of Dushore RR1, Pa., passed away on Sunday morning, June 11, 2000 at Memorial Hospital in Towanda.
She was born on January 7, 1930 in Cherry Township, a daughter of the late Hartley and Mary Bahr Chilson. She has been a lifetime resident of Cherry Township.
Prior to her retirement in the 1970's, Mrs. Kinsley was employed at Sulcraft Manufacturing in Dushore as a seamstress.
Lizzy and Morris Kinsley had celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary.
She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Mildred and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of McDermott Post No. 452, American Legion.
She left surviving her husband, Morris Kinsley, at home; five children, Mary Bailey of Athens, Helen Kinsley of Dushore, Morris Kinsley, Jr. of Dushore, Catherine Foux of New Albany, Arthur Kinsley of Berwick; ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Catherine Dieffenbach and a granddaughter, Shirley A. Bailey.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 14 at 8:30 p.m. in the Russell P. McHenry Funeral Home, 119 Carpenter St., Dushore, with the Rev. Eddie Nilsen, her pastor, officiating.
Friends and family may call on Wednesday evening at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mildred in Elizabeth "Lizzy" Kinsley's memory.
Cecil Scott
Of Elmira
Passes Away
Cecil Eugene Scott, age 81, died on Saturday, June 10, 2000 in Elmira, N.Y. He was born July 6, 1918 in Indianapolis, IN, the son of Thomas and Jessie Scott and spent his childhood in Mississippi.
He is survived by his loving wife, the former Charlotte Taylor; a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Lori Scott of Rochester and grandsons, Christopher Bradstreet of Pittsburgh, Jason Snyder of New York Street; two sisters, Florence Berghof and Wanda Peteani of Williamstown, N.J.; sister-in-law, Lucy Gilbert Case of Canandaigua, N.Y.; brother-in-law, Jack Whittington of Jackson, MS. A daughter, Susan Bradstreet, predeceased him in 1978.
Scotty graduated from North West Mississippi Junior College, the University of Rochester and the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Following active duty in the Pacific Theater during World War II, Scotty remained active in the Army Reserves and National Guard. After 25 years of service to his country, he retired as Colonel and the Commander of the 27th Armored Artillery Division in Rochester. He was co-owner of Ross Equipment Company and retired in 1978.
He was a member of The Park Church, Elmira Country Club and the Retired Officers Association.
A memorial service will be held at The Park Church, Elmira, N.Y. on Saturday, June 17 at 11 a.m. with co-pastors Jeanette Sherrill and Arthur Reed officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society or The Park Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Smith-Fudge-Marshall Funeral Home, 1058 W. Church St., Elmira, N.Y. 14905.
Lena Snell
Of Forksville
Laid to Rest
Mrs. Lena Esther Snell, age 83, of Forksville, Pa., passed away on Friday, June 9, 2000 at The Highlands in Laporte.
Lena was born in Bentley Creek, the daughter of the Rev. Leon J. and Nora T. Hagerman Jelliff.
She was married to George L. Snell and they resided in Dumfries, VA for many years. Lena worked in a jewelry store in Woodbridge, VA for several years. Her loving husband, George, predeceased her on February 19, 1986.
Lena was a member of the Forksville United Methodist Church where she was an organist. She was formerly a member of the Millview Wesleyan Church where her father had been pastor for over 20 years. She was also a former member of OES Chapter #71, Canton.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Gloria and Arlen Higley, Forksville; three grandchildren, Arlen Higley, Jr., Dushore, Melanie DeSanto, Trout Run, and Michael Higley, Cogan Station; eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 13 at 1 p.m. at the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore with the Rev. Matthew D. Pickering, pastor of the Millview Wesleyan Church, officiating. Interment
was in the Forksville Cemetery .
Friends called at the funeral home on Tuesday from 12 noon until the time of the service.
Walter Blackburn
Of Golden Hill
Passes Away
Walter Thomas Blackburn (Blackie), age 73, of Golden Hill, Wilmot Township, Bradford County, PA, passed away on Wednesday, September 20, 2000 at the Towanda Memorial Hospital.
Blackie was born June 7, 1927 in Philadelphia, a son of the late Joseph Leroy and Anna T. Cassidy Blackburn. He attended Philadelphia area schools and graduated from Bensalem High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and Korea. Blackie was employed at U.S. Steel (USS and USX) in Fairless Hills. He retired from U.S. Steel in 1985 after 33 years and began part-time work for Sam VanDeMark at VanDeMark Logging and Excavating. Blackie was a member of the Steelworkers Union and the Black Walnut American Legion. He was an avid sportsman, fisherman and hunter.
Blackie was married to the former Josephine Beffert, who predeceased him in 1984. He married the former Cornelia VanDeMark Taylor on October 16, 1985.
Surviving are his wife, Cornelia, at home; sons and daughters-in-law, Walter J. and Karen Blackburn, Laceyville, Mark and Lori Blackburn, Levittown, Bryan and John Blackburn, both of Laceyville; daughters and sons-in-law, Helen and Richard Flail, Levittown, Sharon and Steve McClain, Bristol, Celeste and Steve Kraeuter, Levittown; brothers and sisters-in-law, James L. and Jean Blackburn, Florida, George P. and Eleanor Blackburn, West Bristol, Richard D. Blackburn, Levittown, Robert A. and Holly Blackburn, Hatboro, Edward C. and Alice Blackburn, Levittown; sisters, Teresa Palagruto, Philadelphia, Joan Daley, Levittown; a brother-in-law, Lou Coppens, Langhorne; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a brother, Milton J. Blackburn and sisters, Helen Coppens and Victoria Chratian.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Sept. 25 from the James Dougherty Funeral Home, Trenton Road, Levittown, followed by interment
in Morrisville Cemetery , Morrisville.
Friends called at the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 1 Grovedale Lane, Wyalusing on Friday, Sept. 22 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Memorials may be directed to the American Lung Association, 738 S. Main Ave., Scranton, PA 18504.
Funeral Services
Friday for
Thelma Burdan
Mrs. Thelma E. (Butch) Burdan, age 89, of Nordmont, PA, passed away on Monday, September 25, 2000 at the Muncy Valley Hospital, Muncy Valley, PA.
Thelma was born May 26, 1911 in Pottstown, daughter of the late Eugene B. and Edna B. Lightcap Swinehart. She attended local schools and married Lester Lee Burdan of Pottstown.
In 1960 they purchased Zangara's Bar in Dushore and renamed it Burdan's Tavern, in which they furnished the community with good food and great pizza in a spotless environment for ten years, retiring to Nordmont in 1970. Also assisting them in the operation of the tavern was Butch's sister, Edna Swinehart Loughnane. Thelma's husband, Les, died on August 27, 1975.
Butch was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church of Nordmont.
Surviving are a sister, Edna May Swinehart Loughnane, Warrensville; a niece, Barbara Covello, Harleysville; four grand-nephews and one grand-niece.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Sept. 29 at 3 p.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Nordmont, with her pastor, Rev. Karen B. Allen, officiating. Interment
will be in Mt. Zion Cemetery , Pottstown.
Friends may call at the church on Friday from 2 p.m. until the time of the service.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore.
Mary Culver
Of Vernon
Dies at Tyler
Mary Culver, 54, of Vernon, PA died on Monday, September 25, 2000 at the Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock.
Born August 23, 1946 in Binghamton, NY, she was the daughter of Edith Weber Robinson and the late Arthur Robinson.
She attended Binghamton schools. Thirty-three years ago she moved to Vernon and married her husband, Phillip Culver.
She attended the Blessed Sacrament Church in Centermoreland.
Mary worked for both McCrory's and McDonald's in Shavertown.
Surviving in addition to her husband and mother are two sons, Michael Wheaton, Luzerne and Mark Culver, at home; three daughters, Ann Marie Dale and Christine Howell, both of Wilkes-Barre and Maureen Culver, Wyoming; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild; a brother, Donald Moran, Germany; sisters, Delores Winters, Binghamton, NY and Patricia Westley, St. Mary's, GA; several nieces and nephews.
Friends called at the Nulton Funeral Home, Rt. 309, Beaumont on Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Eileen Ruerup
Of Westfield, NJ
Passes Away
Eileen M. Brown Ruerup, 81, died on Friday, September 22, 2000 at her home in Westfield, NJ.
Born in Westfield, she lived there all her life. She owned Eileen's Music Shop in Scotch Plains many years ago. She was a communicant of Holy Trinity Church in Westfield.
Eileen and her late husband, Norman, owned a home at RR Laceyville for many years and made many friends in the area. Norman, former chief of the Westfield Fire Department, died in 1991.
Surviving are two daughters, Geraldine Furchak-Saliola and Eileen Ruerup, both of Westfield; a sister, Honora Pfeiffer of Westfield; two granddaughters, Cheryl Vito and Jennifer Ruerup; a grandson-in-law, Ray Vito and one beloved great-granddaughter, Gabriella Vito.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m. on Monday, September 25 at Holy Trinity Church in Westfield. Interment
was in Fairview Cemetery .
Friends and family called from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the Dooley Colonial Home, 556 Westfield Ave., Westfield, NJ.
Sister of Local Man
Passes Away
Myrtle Pentecost, 93, of 1023 Azalia Rd., Union, NJ, passed away on Friday, September 15, 2000 at Union Hospital in Union, NJ.
Born in Olyphant, PA on March 29, 1907, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Laura Monroe Morrison.
She was married to Russell Pentecost, who predeceased her on March 12, 1991.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Union where she was a charter member.
During WWII she worked for the war effort. Being an avid bowler, she won many individual trophies.
Mrs. Pentecost was a retired beautician.
Survivors include two brothers, Arthur L. Morrison of Laceyville and Melvin Morrison of Tunkhannock; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at the Harding-Litwin Funeral Home, 123 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, on Saturday, September 23 at 11 a.m. Interment
will be in Mt. Bethel Cemetery , Justus.
Calling hours will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Roland Smith,
Formerly of
Wyalusing, Dies
Roland Campbell Smith, age 82, of 110 Bruce Road, Roebuck, SC, died on Thursday, September 14, 2000 in Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Born in Albany, NY and formerly of Wyalusing, he came to Spartanburg in 1969.
He was the son of the late John Louis and Myrtle Campbell Smith. He was a 1935 graduate of Albany High School and was a retired sales representative from American Meter Company, retiring in 1982 after 41 years of service. He was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church of Wyalusing, having served as a deacon and was later a member of Second Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Doris Campbell Smith, of the home; one daughter, Jeanette and son-in-law, Bryant J. Reeves, Jr. of Boiling Springs; one son, John C. Smith and daughter-in-law, Beverly F. Smith of Jacksonville, FL; five grandchildren, John C. Smith, II and Jeanine Smith Drexler of Jacksonville, FL, Bridgette Reeves Fullington of Evans, GA, Bryant J. Reeves, III of Boiling Springs and Jason Campbell Reeves of Rock Hill, SC; two great-grandchildren, Jordon T. Drexler and Emory L. Fullington, III.
The family received friends on Saturday, September 16 from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. Graveside services followed at 11 a.m. in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, conducted by the Rev. G. Wayne Cole and the Rev. Don Roper.
Memorials may be made to Second Presbyterian Church Accessibility Fund, 438 N. Church St., Spartanburg, SC 29303 or to the American Lung Association, Piedmont Region, 84 Villa Road, B-2, Greenville, SC 29615.
The family is at the home of Jeanette and Bryant Reeves, 111 Highland Acres Drive, Boiling Springs, SC.
Edward Bitler
Of Laceyville
Dies at Tyler
Mr. Edward C. Bitler, age 51, of RR2, Box 2339, Second Street, Laceyville, PA, passed away suddenly at the Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock on Thursday afternoon, November 23, 2000.
Born in Meshoppen on November 19, 1949, he was the son of Alice Root Bitler of Meshoppen and the late Albert Bitler, who passed away on June 7, 1999. Mr. Bitler was a graduate of Tunkhannock High School, Class of 1968. He was employed at the Procter & Gamble Paper Products in Mehoopany for over 29 years, retiring in March 1999.
He was a member of the Mehoopany United Methodist Church. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting and fishing and also attending auctions.
Besides his mother, he is survived by his wife of 25 years, the former Emily Decker of Laceyville; a daughter and son-in-law, Barb and Charlie Lantz of Laceyville; a brother and sister-in-law, Rev. Kenneth and Sandy Bitler of Susquehanna; an uncle, George Bitler of Meshoppen and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral and committal services were held on Sunday, Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Laceyville, with the Rev. Dave Hinkley of the Russell Hill United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment
was in the Vaughn Cemetery in Mehoopany.
Family and friends called at the funeral home on Saturday evening, Nov. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing, may make memorial contributions to the Mehoopany United Methodist Church.
