Obituaries by LocationIrene Davis
Of New Albany
Dies at Sayre
Irene D. Davis, age 80 of New Albany RR1, PA, passed away on Tuesday, November 21, 2000 at the Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre.
She was born on December 19, 1919 in Hillsgrove, the daughter of the late Ernest and Anna Warburton Norton.
Irene had been a lifetime member of this area and was a member of the Forksville United Methodist Church.
She volunteered for Senior Citizens at Sullivan Terrace and helped with the Forksville Fire Company.
Mrs. Davis enjoyed time spent playing bingo, doing needlework and she thoroughly enjoyed visiting with family and friends.
In September of 1977, Irene was preceded in death by her husband, the late Charles E. Davis.
She is survived by two children, a daughter and son-in-law, Rose and Mike Morris of New Albany; a son, Robert Davis of St. Mary's; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Grace and Louis Rosbach of Williamsport, Dolores and George Columbine of Williamsport; a brother and sister-in-law, Elmer and Susie Norton of Lewistown; a brother-in-law, James Davis of Elmira, NY; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Ann Davis; a son, Edwin Davis, at three months and by two brothers, Walter and Herbert Norton.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 11 a.m. in the Forksville United Methodist Church; with the Rev. David Hart, her pastor, officiating.
Interment followed in the Hillsgrove Cemetery .
Friends and family called on Friday evening, Nov. 24 at the Russell P. McHenry Funeral Home, 119 Carpenter St., Dushore from 7 to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Forksville United Methodist Church in Mrs. Davis's memory.
Memorial Mass to Be Held
For John E. Fiorini, Jr., 82
John E. Fiorini, Jr., age 82, died on Thursday, October 16, 2000 in Charleston, SC. Born in Mildred on June 5, 1918, he was the son of the late John and Giordana Fiorini.
Mr. Fiorini is survived by his wife, the former Jewel Lang, whom he married on December 26, 1945.
The Fiorinis were parents of four children: John, Mary, Anne and Mark. They were parents by marriage, but, more importantly, by love of the former Gail Driscoll (John's wife), Steven Batten (Anne's husband), the former Amy Benson (Mark's wife) and Lou Brzezinski (Mary's husband). He is survived by six grandchildren, Cara, John Carl and Michael Fiorini (John and Gail's children), William Kimmins (Mary's son) and Nicholas and Catherine Fiorini (Mark and Amy's children).
Mr. Fiorini enlisted in the U.S. Army in October of 1940 and was honorably discharged in December of 1945 with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. He served in the European Theater of Operations from April of 1942 until September of 1945. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal as a result of injuries received from enemy action on August 1, 1944.
In 1938, Mr. Fiorini earned his undergraduate degree at Bloomsburg University and was followed by his Master's Degree at Bucknell University. He taught English at Turnpike High School in Mildred from 1950 to 1958 when he became administrator of the Turnpike High School System.
In 1963, he was chosen as the principal of the new Sullivan County High School in Laporte. In 1969, he returned to the classroom and taught English at Sullivan County High School until 1973. At that time, he was appointed as curriculum advisor to the nineteen school district's Intermediate Unit No. 17, holding that position until his retirement in 1983.
Mr. Fiorini was the first chairman of the Curriculum Committee of Channel 44 WVIA-TV, serving until 1983. He was chairman, also, of the Curriculum Committee of the Eastern Educational Television Network, which was headquartered in Boston, MA from 1970 to 1980. He served, also, on the advisory committee of National Public Radio, headquartered in Washington, DC.
During the 1970s, Mr. Fiorini was a member of the 12-member National Advisory Committee that developed classroom materials and strategies for the BBC's Shakespeare series, headquartered in New York City's Channel No. 13. In 1972, he was one of a group of educators and media experts who were invited to Israel to evaluate that country's Educational Television System.
For ten years, he was chairman of the Pennsylvania Department of Education teams that evaluated the teacher's training programs in the colleges and universities in Pennsylvania. He was also a part-time teacher at Bloomsburg and Bucknell Universities.
He was a past president of the Sullivan County Cancer society and past president of the Sullivan County Polio Foundation. He was a member of the Sullivan County Library Board for several decades and past president of the Sullivan-Bradford PIAA. He was the scoutmaster of the Mildred Boy Scout Troop during the 1950s.
At the time of his death, Mr. Fiorini was president of the Sullivan County Housing Authority, a position he held for 20 years. The authority's work culminated in establishing Sullivan Terrace and the current rental assistance programs. He was a life member of the Sullivan County Historical Society, a life member of the United Methodist Home Auxiliary (The Highlands) and its first president. He organized the annual Christmas sale at the home and was active in the efforts of the gift shop. He was the first president and life member of the Sullivan Terrace Advisory Board.
Mr. Fiorini was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Mildred, having been a parishioner during the tenure of every pastor who served the church, beginning with Father Enright, who baptized him.
It was Mr. Fiorini's wish to be cremated, thus there will be no viewing.
A memorial mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Mildred, with the Rev. Patrick McLaughlin, as celebrant.
Interment will be at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of masses and flowers, please direct any memorials to St. Francis of Assisi Church Restoration Project, Mildred, PA 18632.
Local arrangements were entrusted to the Russell P. McHenry Funeral Home, 119 Carpenter St., Dushore.
Former Resident,
Betsy Fuller,
Passes Away
Betsy Ross Fuller, age 74, a resident at Sullivan Terrace in Dushore, PA, passed away at her home on Monday, November 27, 2000.
She was born on June 28, 1926 on Long Island, NY, a daughter of the late Raymond and Thamar Fuller, originally of Camptown.
After graduating from Garden City High School, she graduated from Oneonta University in New York with a bachelor of science in education. She taught on Long Island before moving to Maryland in 1969. She was an active member of the Garden City Presbyterian Church and was an avid gardener.
After moving to Maryland to live near her sister, she returned to her beloved Pennsylvania when she retired. She did volunteer work at the local libraries and was fond of genealogical research, spending many hours at the Bradford County Historical Society.
She left surviving a brother, William Fuller of Glen Cove, NY; an aunt, Ione Kissell of Towanda and a niece, Tamar Jones of Maryland.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a sister, Phyllis Fuller Silvernail.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Dec. 1 in the McHenry Funeral Home, 106 Church St., Wyalusing at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Barry Ballard, pastor of the Wyalusing Presbyterian Church, officiating.
Interment will follow in Camptown Cemetery .
Dennis Hillard
Of Tunkhannock
Dies at Tyler
Dennis H. Hillard, East Montross Road, Tunkhannock, PA, died on Monday, November 20, 2000 in the emergency room at Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock.
Born in Kingston on October 20, 1969, he was the son of Donald H., Sr. and Sarah Gallagher Hillard of Mehoopany.
A 1987 graduate of Wyalusing High School, he was a member of the Wyalusing Rams football team. He attended Bradford County Vocational School and was a 1987 graduate of Williamsport Community College with a degree in auto body painting. He was employed by Quality Collision, Dallas.
Dennis was a member of Eatonville United Methodist Church, a former den leader for Cub Scout Pack 518, Tunkhannock and a former member of the FWM Fire Company, Mehoopany.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife of seven years, Angela Paylor Hillard; a son, Andrew Phillip and daughter, Theresa Elizabeth, both at home; brothers, Donald, Jr., Laceyville, Darren, Meshoppen; a sister, Sarah K. Hillard, Mehoopany; four nephews, several aunts and uncles.
Funeral services were held Friday from Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home, Inc., Tunkhannock with the Rev. Weldon Hettesheimer, his uncle and the Rev. Daniel J. Herron, pastor, Eatonville United Methodist Church, officiating.
Interment was in Orcutt Cemetery , Noxen.
Bessie Hines,
Former Spring Lake Resident,
Passes Away
Bessie M. (Vanderpool) Hines, age 81, of New Port Richey, FL, formerly of Endicott, NY, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, November 19, 2000.
She was born on April 4, 1919, in Spring Lake, to the late Roxanna and Richard Vanderpool.
In 1979, Bessie was preceded in death by her husband, the late William Hines.
Mrs. Hines was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, No. 104, Round Hill of Endicott, NY; the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Sun Coast Aerie No. 3153 Auxiliary of New Port Richey, FL and was a past president of the Lakewood Villas Auxiliary of New Port Richey, FL.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, James and Trudee Hines of Owego; grandchildren, Katie and Megan Hines of Owego, Patrick and Kelly Warga of Bainbridge, Island, WA, Eric and Janice Warga of Cordova, AK; great-grandchildren, Adam and Anna Rose Warga and Chatham Warga; one brother, Richard Vanderpool of Dushore; four sisters, Nellie Parrish of Indiatlantic, FL, Winifred Porter of Raleigh, NC; Jean Chakanovsky of Binghamton, Gertrude (Trudy) Power of Chandler, AZ and a special companion, Clarence Fisher of New Port Richey, FL.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Marita and by brothers, Llewellyn and Garfield.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 11 a.m. in the McHenry Funeral Home, 106 Church St., Wyalusing, with the Rev. Anne Canfield, officiating.
Interment followed in Wyalusing Cemetery .
The family received friends from 10 to 11 a.m., prior to the services.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Deborah Heart and Lung Center, 200 Trenton Road, Browns Mills, NJ 08015.
Funeral Services
Held for
Ellen J. Keeney
Ellen Jane Keeney, 79, of 103 Hospital Pl., Sayre, PA, passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2000 at Robert Packer Hospital.
Born July 28, 1921, on Oak Hill, Wilmot Township, she was the daughter of Lee and Esther Knolles Kintner.
She married Norman Keeney on November 7, 1941. They celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on November 7, 2000. Ellen was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church Women, the Morning Circle and the Penn York Opportunities Ladies Auxiliary. She also served as a volunteer at the RPH. She was predeceased by her son-in-law, Paul L. Jacoby, Jr. and brother-in-law, Robert Miller.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Lee and Peg Keeney of Ann Arbor, MI, Carole Jacoby of South Waverly, Roy and Barbara Keeney of Enola, Norma Keeney, at home; grandchildren, Kevin and Jennifer Keeney, Deborah and Brad Forman, Michelle (Jacoby) and Greg Murrelle, Steven and Cheryl Keeney, Karen (Jacoby) and Richard Wilbur, Marcie Keeney; great-grandchildren, Spencer and Parker Forman, Megan Wilbur and Ryan Murrelle; sisters and brother-in-law, Marian Miller of Dushore and Bonnie and Dennis Barnes of Elmira, NY; brothers and sisters-in-law, James and Joan Kintner of Mercur, Kermit and Gail Kintner of Athens, GA; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins.
Family and friends called at the Lowery Funeral Home on Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. Funeral services were held at St. John's Lutheran Church, Sayre on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Rodney Saylor officiating. Interment
was in the Tioga Point Cemetery , Athens.
The family provided their own flowers and asks that memorial donations be made to the Guthrie Hospice, RR1, Box 154, Towanda, PA 18848 or St. John's Lutheran Church, 207 S. Hopkins St., Sayre, PA 18840.
Pottstown Man, Joseph McGee, II
Dies as Result of Hunting Accident
Joseph L. McGee, II age 51, of 391 Bryton Ave., North Coventry, Pottstown, PA, died on Monday, November 27, 2000 as a result of an accidental hunting accident in Colley Township, Sullivan County, PA.
Joe was born in Phoenixville, on July 7, 1949, son of Joseph L. and Helen Taroski McGee. He graduated from the Phoenixville Area High School, a member of the Class of 1967. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1972 and married the former Diana Dillio of Phoenixville on June 19, 1971.
Joe was a master electrician and started his own business, McGee Electric, which he operated for the past 25 years. Joe was also an avid gun collector and sportsman. He purchased a hunting cabin in 1987 and enjoyed all time spent in the Lopez area.
Joe was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, South Coventry and a member of the H.O.G. Association. He also volunteered for many years as a coach for the Coventry Little League Association.
Surviving are his spouse, Diana, at home; four sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph L., III and Victoria McGee, Pottstown, Benjamin M. and Rachel McGee, Boyertown, Adam D. and Jennifer McGee, North Coventry and Jacob A. McGee, at home; his parents, Joseph and Helen McGee, Phoenixville; brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Carmella McGee, Spring City; a sister and brother-in-law, Judy and William Wasylkowski, Phoenixville; a grandson, Bobby McGee, Phoenixville and granddaughter, Faith McGee, Boyertown.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Phoenixville.
Friends may call on Thursday at the Devlin-Rosmos-Kepp Funeral Home, 517 Main St., Phoenixville, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Local arrangements were under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore.
Private Services
Held for
Katie Russell
"See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way . . ." Exodus 23:20.
Twelve years ago, on December 4, 1987, God blessed Jeff and Debbie (Baer) Russell with a miracle . . . the birth of their precious daughter, Katie Marie. On Monday, November 27, 2000, following a brave battle with the sudden onset of juvenile diabetes, she began her new life in heaven with her Savior.
In addition to her parents, Jeffrey and Deborah, Katie is survived by her brother, Jonathan E. Russell; her paternal grandparents, Carlyle "Bub" and Flora Russell, Orwell; maternal grandmother, Tina Baer, Reading, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Katie was a devoted member of the Orwell Bible Church family where she was active in the youth group. She helped with the preschool class at the Warren Center Baptist Church AWANA program. Katie was a seventh grade honor student at Northeast Bradford High School. She was also a member of the seventh and eighth grade county chorus, as well as the school band. She enjoyed playing the piano, as well as her late Grandfather Baer's 60-year-old trumpet. Katie had an ability, way beyond her young years, to lovingly take care of young children, especially her cousins. She enjoyed horseback riding and collecting "Beanie Babies."
Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Katie's Life at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 1 at the Orwell Bible Church. Pastor Richard Vieldhouse will officiate. Katie's family will receive their friends at the church following the service. Private graveside services will be held in the Orwell Cemetery . Friends wishing, may make memorial donations to the Orwell Bible Church in loving memory of Katie Marie Russell.
The Cooley Family of Sutfin Funeral Chapel, Nichols, NY is assisting the family with arrangements.
Robert Sailer
Of Stowell
Laid to Rest
Mr. Robert John Sailer, age 79, of D.J.'s Personal Care Home, RR2, Box 2589, Laceyville, PA (Stowell) passed away on Friday afternoon, November 24, 2000 at the Memorial Hospital in Towanda.
Born in Philadelphia on Nov. 16, 1921, he was the son of the late William Earl and Florence Bauer Sailer. In his very early years, Mr. Sailer worked on the family farm, until a disability enabled him to work any longer.
He attended the Assembly of God Church in Tunkhannock and was a long-time member of the Phoenixville Moose Lodge.
Surviving are four sisters, Mrs. Havard (Jane) Eppehimer of Pottstown, Mrs. Hal (Eleanor) Moyer of Aston, Mrs. Nancy Gable of Laceyville and Mrs. Dale (Ann Marie) Moyer of Pottstown; a niece and her husband, with whom he lived for over 20 years, Darlene and Andy Garay of Laceyville; several other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, William E. Sailer and a sister, Pauline Swigert.
At Mr. Sailer's request, there will be no calling hours or funeral services. Arrangements were made through the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Laceyville.
