Obituaries by LocationEllis Gene Davis
Ellis Gene Davis, 86, formerly of Muncy, died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, in the Muncy Valley Hospital skilled nursing unit. His wife, the former Edith V. Miller, died June 28, 1985. He retired in 1978 from the former Avco, now Textron Lycoming. He attended Muncy schools. He served in the Army. He enjoyed tinkering and invented a clutch and brake system for tractors. Born, Dec. 16, 1913, in Pine Township, Columbia County, he was a son of Victor C. and Lillian M. Clemans Davis. Surviving are, three sons, Charles M. of Pennsdale, Thomas E. of Muncy and Howard V. of Montoursville; two daughters, Nina M. Houseknecht of Hughesville and Debra J. Hensler of Cogan Station; a brother, Glenn of Muncy; 15 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, LaRue and two sisters, Florence Ritter and Geraldine Biichle. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at McCarty-Thomas’, 557 E. Water St., Hughesville, with the Rev. Carl G. Harris, Moreland Baptist Church, Muncy, officiating. Burial will be in Twin Hills Memorial Park, Muncy RR 2. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Olivia Nadin Rishel
LOGANTON - 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 in the hospital Sept. 14, 2000. Surviving, besides her mother, are paternal grandparents, James and Dorothy Welch Rishel of Loganton; paternal great-grandparents, Robert and Esther Rishel of Rauchtown; paternal great-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 in Limetown Cemetery, Rauchtown, with the Rev. Marty Kiggins Jr. officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Welker’s, 95 E. Main St.
Harriett L. Cotner
TURBOTVILLE - Harriett L. Cotner of Turbotville RR 1 died Monday, Sept. 18, 2000, at home. Arrangements are being handled by Brooks’, 207 Broadway St.
William T. Longe
RENOVO - William T. Longe, 91, of Miami, Fla., formerly of Renovo, died Saturday, Sept. 16, 2000, in Baptist Hospital, Miami. An auditor, he was a member of the Renovo Borough Council. An Army veteran of World War II, he was a member of the American Legion. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Elks Lodge. He was a graduate of St. Joseph High School and Pierce Business School. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Born April 16, 1909, in Renovo, he was a son of Thomas and Bridget Coughlin Longe. Surviving are his wife, Mary R. Longe; a son, William T of Miami; and two nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas F. and two sisters, Alice Cleveland and Sister M. Pulcheria. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in the church, with the Rev. Donald Boslett, officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hyner. Friends may call at Maxwell’s, 205 Fifth St., from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with an Elks service at 7:30 and vigil service at 8.
Suzanne W. Billman
WATSONTOWN - Suzanne W. Billman, 90, of 911 Ash St., died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, in Kramm Nursing Home. Her husband, Edward N. Billman, died in 1997. She was a graduate of Frackville High School and Hahnemann Medical College as a laboratory technician. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 282 and the Watsontown Guild. A member of Watsontown Baptist Church, she was in the Missionary Society, Maranatha Class, choir and a Sunday school teacher. Born Oct. 25, 1909, in Shenandoah, she was a daughter of John and Rose Tarkowska Walesky. Surviving are two daughters, Linda Umstead of Lock Haven and Carolyn Levy of North Wales; two sisters, Cecelia King of Lewisburg and Mary “Mame” Karlesky of Watsontown; two grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and four step great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the church, Fifth and Main Streets, with the Rev. James Ritter, officiating. Burial will be in Watsontown Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Cronrath’s, 106 S. Second St.
Nora A. Withers
The funeral will be this morning for Nora A. Withers, 81, of 85 Wither Hollow Lane, who died Friday, Sept. 15, 2000 in the Skilled Nursing Unit at Muncy Valley Hospital. Her husband, Eldon P. “Al” Withers, died Aug. 16, 1982. She was 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 Carrie Braster McKinney. Surviving are three sons, James R., with whom she lived, Roy W. of Paxinos and Thomas M. of Montoursville; two daughters, Carol A. Karschner of Muncy and Eldonna P. Fetterhoff of Barbours; nine grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and seven stepgreat-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Eldon Paul Jr., and five sisters. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. today at Sanders’, 821 Diamond St., with the Rev. Eddie C. Hicks, pastor of Garden View Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Tommie Sue Cochrane
Tommie Sue Cochrane, 25, of Alva, Fla., died Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2000, of injuries suffered in an automobile accident. Her husband, Patrick B. Cochrane, survives. She and her husband co-owned Action 4-Wheel Drive, Ft. Myers, Fla., and assisted her sister at Brooke’s Restaurant. She was a graduate of Mariner High School. Surviving, besides her husband, are her parents, Lyn and Suzanne Daggett of Cape Coral, Fla; two sons, Cody Lyn and Blaze Michael; a sister, Billi Jo Daggett of Cape Coral; a brother, Matthew Martin Daggett of Cape Coral; maternal grandmother, Iva Pearl Creeley of Mansfield; and paternal grandmother, Jane Daggett of Daggett. A memorial service was held in Ft. Myers, with the Rev. Gary Smith, officiating. Arrangements were handled by Cape Coral Memorial’s, 3740 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral.
Jeremy D. Dempsey
Jeremy D. Dempsey, 25, of 488 Blair Blvd., Eugene, Ore., formerly of Lock Haven, died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000. He worked for Sony Corp. as a packager. He attended Lock Haven High School. He was a Methodist. He enjoyed fishing, fly tying and music. Born Sept. 16, 1974, in this city, he was a son of David E. and Karen Dempsey Kohen II. Surviving are his parents of Lock Haven; a sister, Rachel L. Kohen of Lock Haven; two brothers, Jason D. Rote of Camp Lajune, N.C. and David E. Kohen III of Lock Haven; and paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. David E. Kohen of Salona and Ted and Mary Rote of Castanea. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Wetzler’s, 320 Main St., Mill Hall, with the Rev. James E. Van Zandt, officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Lamar Township, Clinton County. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Ruth H. Petcher
Ruth H. Petcher, 76, of 1000 Strawbridge Road, Northumberland, died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. She and her husband, Marion Bert Petcher, observed their 52nd wedding anniversary Oct. 30. She and her husband had lived in the Greenville, S.C. area for 20 years. She was a member of Greenville Unitarian Church. Born June 18, 1924, in Hebron, Neb., she was a daughter of Walter and Gertrude Wagner Hagger. Surviving, besides her husband, are a son, Donald N. of Lookout Mountain, Ga.; a daughter, Beverly Ann Tlusty of Lewisburg; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Malcolm K. A memorial service will be at a later date in Knottingham Village, Northumberland. Arrangements are being handled by Cronrath’s, South Second and Louis streets, Lewisburg.
Martha M. Kelley
Martha M. Kelley, 77, formerly of One East Sylvania Ave., Avis, died Monday, Sept. 18, 2000, at Susque-View Home, Lock Haven. Her husband, Walter M. Kelley, died May 6, 1975. She retired in 1986 after 23 years as a seamstress for Woolrich. She was a member of Order of the Eastern Star Ivanhoe Chapter 28, Avis Golden Gems and Jersey Shore Elks Ladies Auxiliary. She was a 1942 graduate of Jersey Shore High School. Born May 17, 1923, in Jersey Shore, she was a daughter of William and Mary Moyer Runner. Surviving are two sons, Jerry M. of Atlanta, Ga. and Dennis A. of Jersey Shore; two daughters, Cynthia J. Aungst of Lock Haven and Patricia Eldred of Avis; a sister, Mary Esther Voelker of Pittsburgh; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Welker’s, 125 N. Main St., Jersey Shore, with the Rev. Mark E. Riley, officiating. Burial will be in Jersey Shore Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 tonight.
Felix B. Adomaitis
RENOVO - Felix B. “Vic” Adomaitis, 81, formerly of Renovo, died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem. A machinist he last worked at Berwick Forge and Fabricating plant. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. Born Sept. 3, 1919, in Naugatuck, Conn., he was a son of Leon and Victoria Vitchitis Adomaitis. Surviving are a son, Don of Birdsboro and a sister, Judy Vansickle of North Bend. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jane Raemsch, and two sisters, Rose and Jenney. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Maxwells’, 205 Fifth St., with the Rev. Stephen Brauner, officiating. Burial will be in North Bend Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Harold L. Whitenight
UNITYVILLE - Harold L. Whitenight, 69, died Monday, Sept. 18, 2000, at Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia. He was employed by Benner Amusements, traveling to and setting up fairs, collecting tickets and operating rides. He previously worked for the former J.K. Rishels and Harold Carson Plumbing and Heating, both in Hughesville. He was a member of the 39 Plus club, Lairdsville. A member of Salem United Methodist Church, he taught men’s Sunday school. Born Jan 6, 1913, in Lairdsville, he was a son of W. Kimber and Letha E. Keller Whitenight. Surviving are a brother, Herman L. of Orangeville and a sister Helen M. Charles of Unityville. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary J. Shaner. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at McCarty-Thomas’, 557 E. Water St., Hughesville, with the Revs. William L. McNeal and David K. Fishel, Hughesville Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Salem Cemetery, Unityville. Friends may call at the funeral home from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Elaine Lyons Kohler
Elaine Lyons Kohler, 80, formerly of this city, died Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2000, in Flower Hospital, Sylvania, Ohio. She was the widow of George E. Kohler, who died in 1984. She was executive secretary for Toledo Public Schools for nearly 30 years until her retirement in 1983. She was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church. Surviving are two sons, George A. and David L.; two daughters, Lois Hicks and Diana Bruechert; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Burial was in Toledo Memorial Park, Toledo, Ohio. Arrangements were handled by Ansberg-West’s, 3000 Sylvania Ave., Toledo.
Elwood V. Weeks
WELLSBORO - Elwood V. Weeks, 68, of Wellsboro RR 2, died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, at Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre. He and his wife, the former Deloris Iona Haner, observed their sixth wedding anniversary Aug. 21. He was a laborer for various manufacturing companies. He was a member of Apostolic Pentecostal House of Prayer. He enjoyed fishing and gardening. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. Born June 12, 1932, in Galeton, he was a son of Benjamin C. Swan and Ruby Effie Weeks. Surviving, besides his wife, are four sons, Thomas Haner of Galeton, Robert and Steven, both of Wellsboro, and Dennis of Altoona; four stepsons, Brigg Schweigart of Warren, Sam Schweigart of Mills, Frank and Tom Perkins, both in North Carolina; three daughters, Debra Berg and Linda, both of Galeton, and Cindy Farrel in Florida; two stepdaughters, Jackie Schweigart of Shippensburg and Willa Perkins in North Carolina; three brothers, Benjamin of Tioga, Elvin Swan of Westfield and Delbert Swan of Elkin; four sisters, Ellen Tillingus in Florida, Frances Salvage in California, Beatrice Quiggley of Warren and Shirley Bell of Westfield; 25 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Peteie and a sister, Carla Swan. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Tussey-Mosher’s, 139 Main St., with his son, Robert, officiating. Burial will be in West Hill Cemetery, Galeton. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 tonight.
Elizabeth McDermott
Elizabeth Culhane McDermott, 76, of Farmington, Conn., a city native, died Monday, Sept. 18, 2000, at home. Her husband Francis William McDermott, survives. She was a retired secretary for Sacred Heart University and the State of Connecticut Mental Health Department. She was a member of Our Lady of Grace Church, Stratford, Conn. Born Sept. 23, 1923, in this city, she was a daughter of Thomas and Martha McMunn Culhane. Surviving, besides her husband, are two sons, Patrick of Rocky Hill, Conn., and Michael of Valley Cottage, N.Y.; a daughter, Alice Marie of Canton, Conn.; two sisters, Sister M. Marthine Culhane and Sister M. Therese Culhane, both of Carbondale; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, the Rev. Thomas J. Culhane and Francis Culhane and a sister, Margaret Munley. The funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at William R. McDonald’s, 2591 Main St., Stratford, Conn., with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church, Stratford, with Msgr. William Schultz, as celebrant. Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Wildwood Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4 to 8 p.m. today.
Edna E. Rorabaugh
LOCK HAVEN - Edna E. Rorabaugh, 89, of 114 Susquehanna Ave. died Monday, Sept. 18, 2000, at her home. Her husband, Howard W. Rorabaugh, died Nov. 1, 1998. She was a homemaker and a waitress for many years. Born Dec. 4, 1910, in Beechwood, she was a daughter of John and Minnie Lee Smith. Surviving are several nieces and nephews. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Welker’s, 125 N. Main St., Jersey Shore. Burial will be in Jersey Shore Cemetery. There is no visitation.
