Obituaries by LocationPauline D. Phillips
PICTURE ROCKS – Pauline D. Phillips, 87, of 277 S. Main St. died Saturday, Sept. 16, 2000 in Muncy Valley Hospital. She and her husband, William A. Phillips observed their 68th wedding anniversary March 5. She was employed by J.K. Rishel Furniture Manufacturing at its Hughesville and Williamsport facilities. She was a member of Picture Rocks United Methodist Church. She was a member of Picture Rocks Senior Citizens and Women of the Moose, Williamsport Chapter 384. She enjoyed camping, travel and puzzle books. Born Dec. 15, 1912, in Penn Township, she was a daughter of Frank S. and Anna P. Cox Foust. Surviving, besides her husband, are a sister, Alberta Fry of Picture Rocks. She was predeceased by a daughter, Rose Marie Phillips, and two sisters, Catherine Laurenson and Beatrice Hunter. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in Picture Rocks Cemetery, with the Rev. Barbara Kaetzel-Row, her pastor, officiating. Friends may call McCarty-Thomas’, 557 E. Water St., Hughesville, from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Josephine Flavio Wagner
LEWISBURG – Josephine “Josie” Flavio Wagner, 86, of South Second Street died Saturday, Sept. 16, 2000 in Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg. She was the widow of H. Carl “Huck” Wagner. She was manager of the Lewisburg Card Shop from 1969 to 1979. Prior to that, she and her husband owned and operated the Lawrence Motel, and the Snack Shop, both in this borough. She served as secretary and trustee of the International Garment Union. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A 1931 graduate of Lewisburg High School, she attended the University of California at Berkeley. Born Oct. 20, 1913, n Pittsburgh, she was a daughter of Michael and Marie Balestrieri Flavio. She is survived by several nieces, great-nieces, a great-nephew, and several great-great-nieces. She was predeceased by a brother, Anthony Flavio, and a sister, Rose Flavio Burrell. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday in the church, South Eighth Street, with the Rev. William J. Nessel officiating. Interment will be in Lewisburg Cemetery. Friends may call Cronrath’s, South Second and St. Louis streets, where the Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m.
Nora A. Withers
Nora A. Withers, 81, of 85 Wither Hollow Lane died Friday, Sept. 15, 2000 in Muncy Valley Hospital. Her husband, Elden “Al” Withers, died August 16, 1982. A homemaker, she was a member of Linden Presbyterian Church. Born March 15, 1919, in Canton, she was a daughter of William Henry Harrison and Corrie Braster McKinney. Surviving are three sons, James R., with whom she lived, Ray W. of Paxinas and Thomas M. of Montoursville; two daughters, Carol A. Karschner of Muncy and Eldonna P. Fetterhoff of Barbours; nine grandchildren; four step-children; and seven step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Elden Paul, Jr. and five sisters. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, with the Rev. Eddie C. Hicks, pastor of Garden View Church of Christ, officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Sanders’, 821 Diamond St., Williamsport.
Victor P. Derr Jr.
Victor P. Derr Jr., 60, 2018 Lincoln St., died Saturday, Sept. 16, 2000, in Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, from injuries suffered in a fall at his camping lot along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. An electrician, he worked for Heim Electrical of Harrisburg. He had taught for 10 years in the night school electrical program at the former Williamsport Area Community College. He and his wife, the former Joyce M. Moday, were married 39 years on July 29. He was a member of Memorial Baptist Church. He was a past president of the Williamsport Area High School Band Parents Association. He enjoyed boating, camping and fishing. He served 14 years in the Army Reserve. He was a 1957 graduate of Williamsport High School and graduated from the apprenticeship program of Local 812, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Born Dec. 4, 1939, in South Williamsport, he was a son of Victor P. Sr. and Grace Casson Derr. Surviving, besides his wife, are three daughters, Lora Sullivan and Annmarie Derr, both of Montoursville, and Cheryl Marsh of Sterling, Va.; two sons, Victor Stephen and Ronald Scott, both of this city; a brother, William R. of this city; and five grandchildren, Ryan Marsh, Frank and Alex Sullivan, Rachel Foresman and Eric Derr. He was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia Carl Kiessling, and a granson, Zachery Ryan Derr, on Aug. 5. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Sanders’, 821 Diamond St., with the Rev. Daniel G. Speer, pastor of City Church, officiating. Burial will be in Stoltz Cemetery, Hepburn Township. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
S. Elizabeth Graden
MILL HALL - A graveside service for S. Elizabeth Graden, 93, the wife of John F. Graden of Rehobeth, Del., will be at 2 p.m. Wedneday at the Cedar Hill Cemetery. She died Thursday, Sept. 14, 2000, in the Yoder Care Center, Milford, Del. She was a retired school teacher. Surviving, besides her husband, are two daughters, Catherine E. of Rehobeth, and Janet Comegys of Doraville, Ga., and a grandson, Matthew G. Comegys also of Doraville. Arrangements are being handled by Helt, Hanna and Kline’s, 232 Hogan Blvd.
Nellie Brown Heess
SHUNK - Nellie Brown Heess, 86, of Fox Township and a lifelong resident of Sullivan County, died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, in the Memorial Hospital in Towanda. Her husband of nearly 40 years, Kermit L. Heess, died in 1970. They operated a dairy farm for several years. She operated the dining hall for many years at the Sullivan County Fair. She was a cook at the Camp Brule Scout Reservation, and she also was employed as a cook at the Our House Restaurant near Canton for 15 years. Heess was a lifelong member of the Lincoln Falls Wesleyan Church and served for many years as the Sunday School secretary. She enjoyed sewing and crocheting, but most of all cooking. Born in Shunk, June 6, 1914, she was a daughter of Liston and Anne Stull Brown. Surviving are a son, Carl of Shunk; four daughters, Shirley Wilson of Forksville, Betty Lou Bozman and Sandra Bown both of Forksville RR 2, Ellen Ruth Bryan of Williamsport; 17 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Hiram Brown and Chester Brown; a sister, Mamie Randall, and a daughter, Terry Lynne Heess. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church on Route 154 with her pastor, the Rev. Matthew Pickering, officiating. Burial will be in Elkland Friends Cemetery. Friend may call at the church from 12 to 1 p.m. Wednesday. Arrangements are being handled by Moore and Kleese’s, 40 N. Center St., Canton.
Doris M. Kiesinger
Doris M. Kiesinger, 73, of 2968 Northway Road Extension, Williamsport, died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, at her home. Her husband, Robert P. Kiesinger, died March 28, 1986. She retired in the 1987 from the Schnadig Inc., where she was employed for 19 years as a machine operator. She was a member of the Loyalsockville United Methodist Church. Kiesinger was a social member of the Highland Lake Manor Inc., and the American Association of Retired Persons. She enjoyed crafts, fishing and her grandchildren. Born April 6, 1927, in this city, she was a daughter of Clifford H. and Agnes Mitstifer Gair. Surviving are a daughter, Sarah E. Freezer of this city; a son, Clifford Robert also of this city; five grandchildren and five great-grand-children. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Elda L. Camp and Ruth P. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Noll’s, 1 E. Central Ave., South Williamsport, with the Rev. Theodore L. Cockley, chaplain at Susquehanna Regional Home Health Hospice, officiating. Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday. The family will provide the flowers.
Olivia Nadine Rishel
LOGANTOWN - Two-day-old infant Olivia Nadine Rishel, daughter of Salina L. Rishel of Loganton, died Saturday, Sept. 16, 2000, in Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. She was born Sept. 14, 2000, in Geisinger Medical Center. Surviving, besides her mother, are paternal grandparents, James and Dorothy Welch Rischel of Loganton; paternal great-grandparents, Robert and Esther Rischel of Rachtown; paternal great-grandmother, Dorothy Rishel of Dunnstown; and two uncles, James Rishel of Mill Hall and Jonathan Rishel of Logantown. She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Hendrick A. and Aspasia Couris Welch. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Limetown Cemetery, Rauchtown, with the Rev. Marty Kiggins Jr. officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Welker’s, 95 E. Main St.
Shirley Cole Root
WELLSBORO - Shirley Cole Root, 73, of Wellsboro RR 5, died Saturday, Sept. 16, 2000, in the Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre. She was the wife of Kenneth G. Root. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting. Born Aug. 8, 1927, in Waverly, N.Y., she was a daughter of Walter and Olive Spencer Cole. Surviving, besides her husband, are two sons, Janford McCauley of Blossburg and Linden McCauley of Wellsboro; a half-brother, Bradley Copp of Wellsboro; a half-sister, Martha Copp also of Wellsboro; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by a half-brother, Ansel Copp. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Carleton’s, Wellsboro RR 7, with the Rev. James A. Johnson, pastor of the Evangelical Wesleyan Church, Mansfield, officiating. Burial will be Spencer Cemetery, Canton. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Kenneth L. Sampsell Sr.
MILTON - Kenneth L. Sampsell Sr., 62, of 77 Center St., died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, at his home. He retired on disability from the former All American Truck Stop in 1997. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Sheriff’s Association and a life member of the National Rifle Association. Sampsell graduated from the Milton High School in 1956. A veteran of the Army, he served from 1958 to 1960. He enjoyed crossword puzzles and collected model lighthouses. He and his wife, the former Joan L. Ranck, would have observed their 38th wedding anniversar on Dec. 23. Born Aug. 29, 1938, in Sunbury, he was a son of Francis and Beatrice Shipe Sampsell. Surviving, besides his wife, are a son, Kenneth L. Jr., stationed at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan; a daughter, Terri J. Flora of Washingtonville; a brother, Donald of McEwensville; four sisters, Naomi Smith of Lewisburg, Evelyn Schmick of Glendale, Calif., Florence Aucker of Los Angeles, Calif., and Ruth Bradley of California City, Calif.; and six grandchildren, Shaun and Staci Flora, Sakura, Samantha, Shannen and Kenneth L. Sampsell III. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Francis Eugene, who died in June 1998, and William, who died in infancy. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Brooks’, 207 Broadway St., Turbotville, with the Rev. Jerry L. Caswell, Pastor of the Friendship Baptist Church, Watsontown RR 2, officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family at the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. The family will provide the flowers.
Rosanna G. Shaffer
Rosanna G. (Jerry) Shaffer, 83, of 1853 Beverly Ave., died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, at the Valley View Nursing Center following a lengthy illness. Her husband of 65 year, Harris (Max) Shaffer, died Aug. 6. She was a homemaker. She was a past president of Pennsylvania Department of the Auxiliary of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. She also was a member of the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic. Shaffer was an Old Lycoming Township Democratic committeewoman for 35 years. She was a volunteer for several organizations, including the Old Lycoming Township Volunter Fire Company Auxiliary, the former Franklin School Parent Teachers Association, Meals on Wheels as well as Divine Providence Hospital. She also was a past president of the Newberry Senior Citizens. Born Oct. 19, 1916, in Grays Run, she was a daughter of George A. and Katherine A. Sutton Sweet. Surviving are three sons, George H. of Sesser, Ill., Charles R. and Donald K. (Mouse) both of the city; two daughters, Faye M. Carlisle of Cogan Station and Katherine J. White of this city; a brother, Donald E. Sweet also of this city; 21 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Robert E. Sweet, George A. Sweet Jr. and William D. Sweet, and a sister, Jane J. Robbins. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Knight-Confer’s, 1914 Memorial Ave. Burial will be in Beech Valley Cemetery, Trout Run. Friends may at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. The family will provide the flowers.
Vera N. Wetherbee
WELLSBORO - Vera N. Wetherbee, 84, a borough resident, died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, in Broad Acres Health and Rehabilitation Center here. She retired after 33 years employment with the former Corning Glass Works here. He was a member of Draper Baptist Church. Born May 30, 1916, in Delmar Township, Tioga County, she was a daughter of Ray D. and Beulah Knowlton Wetherbee. Surviving are a sister, Ruth Root of Wellsboro, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister, Arlene Copley, and a brother, Clair. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Tussey-Mosher’s, 139 Main St., with Pastor Ronald Bly officiating. Burial will be in West Branch Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday.
John E. Winner
John E. Winner, 65, of 380 Sarama Lane, died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, at home. He was the husband of the former Jeannette F. Fisher. He was owner and operator of Winner Carpet in this city, State College and Troy. He was priorly self-employed as a home building carpenter and contractor. He served in the Naval Reserves. He was a member of Lodge #707 F&AM. He managed Old Lycoming and Newberry Little League Baseball and the West End Babe Ruth Baseball League. He was a 1951 graduate of Williamsport High School, where he was a member of the track and cross country team. Born Oct. 14, 1934, in Bellefonte, he was a son of Edward R. and Mary E. Winner. Surviving besides his wife, are four sons, Carl W. and Daniel J. of here, Jeff E. of Philadelphia and Rick A. of Celebration, Fla.; three step-sons, Gregg R. Peterson of Doylestown, Mark A. Peterson of Danville, N.H., and Kris K. Peterson of Wyoming, Pa.; a brother, Robert Garrison of Troy; and 11 grandchildren. A private family service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, at Spitler’s, 733 Broad St., Montoursville, with the Rev. Harry “Bud” Yoder of the Christian Church at Cogan Station officiating. Burial will be in Montoursville Cemetery. The family will provide the flowers.
Helen F. Zeaman
Helen F. Zeaman, 85, of Sycamore Manor and formerly of 2014 Linwood Ave., died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, in the Williamsport Hospital following a lengthy illness. Her husband, Milton L. Zeaman, died May 17, 1980. She was a member of Lycoming Centre Presbyterian Church, Hepburnville. Born July 21, 1915, in Austin, Potter County, she was a daughter of Todd and Teresa Talbot Evans. Surviving are a daughter, Patricia A. Welch, with whom she had lived prior to moving to Sycamore Manor; a sister, Ruth Egler of Galeton; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Robert T., who died Aug. 30, 1995. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Knight-Confer’s, 1914 Memorial Ave., with the Rev. William J. Younger, her pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Naomi Rogers Rundell
Naomi Rogers Rundell, 92, formerly of Canton, died Monday, Sept. 18, 2000, in Memorial Hospital, Towanda. Her husband, Charles Wilmot Bill Rundell, died in 1975. She was a housekeeper in the Elmira, N.Y., area and during World War II had worked at a high security installation with classified materials in Tennessee. She attended Practical Bible Training School, Binghamton, N.Y. She enjoyed quilting, sewing and entertaining. She was a member of the Grange, Canton Senior Citizens, the Elder Guild and Towanda and Troy Senior Citizens. She was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church, Grover, and a former member of Windfall United Methodist Church and its women’s group. Born June 26, 1908, in Covington, she was a daughter of James and Bertha Tuttle Rogers. Surviving are two stepsons, David of Mansfield and Richard of Rocky Mount, N.C.; and two sisters, Grace Rogers Glover of Wellsboro and Blanche Louise Zenger of Mansfield. She was preceded in death by a sister, Gwen Holleran and a brother, Hugh Rogers. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Morse & Kleese’s, 40 N. Center St., Canton, with the Rev. James House, officiating. Burial will be in Windfall Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 11 a.m. to noon.
Ralph W. Ford
WATSONTOWN - Ralph “Jack” W. Ford, 88, of Watsontown RR 3, died Friday, Sept. 15, 2000, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. He was the widower of the former Evelyn M. McWilliams. Born Jan. 3, 1912, in Honeybrook, Chester COunty, he was a son of Manning and Barbara Ann Schbrand Ford. Surviving are two sons, Manning W. of Bartlett, Tenn and Barry L. of Watsontown; a brother, Paul of Coatesville; three grandchildren, Kelly Lynn Harris, Ralph and Walter; and three great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Cronrath’s, 106 S. Second St., with the Rev. Emerson Abram, Lewisburg United Methodist minister, officiating.
