Obituaries by LocationJanet K. Shelhamer
Janet K. Shelhamer of 1840 Homewood Ave., formerly of Middlesex, N.J., died Sunday, Dec. 17, 2000, in Williamsport Hospital. She was the wife of the late Myron L. Shelhamer who died in 1982. She was a member of the Northway Presbyterian Church and the Woman’s Club. She was a graduate of Sunbury High School. Born in Sunbury, she was a daughter of the late J. Herman and Ada Wallace Kroberger. Surviving are two sons, Myron J. of Jeffersonville and Douglas K. of Hartford, Wis.; one daughter, Maureen Shelhamer of Williamsport; two sisters, Margaret Heitzenrater of Williamsport and Estelle Bahner of Sunbury; and two grandchildren, Kevin B. and Courtney A. Shelhamer of Hartford. She was preceded in death by a brother, John, and a sister, Helen Bower. A Memorial service will be held at noon Thursday at Northway Presbyterian Church, 1520 Northway Rd., with the Rev. James Henkel officiating. Burial will be in Pomfort Manor Cemetery, Sunbury, at the convenience of the family. The family will provide the flowers. Arrangements are being handled by Maneval, 500 W. Fourth St.
Roy A. Umstead
Roy A. Umstead, 87, formerly of Cherry Street, Dewart, died Saturday, Dec. 16, 2000, at Kramm Healthcare, Milton. He and the former Pearl Mae Delcamp were married on Nov. 21, 1960, for over 24 years until her death in Oct. 1985. He worked for many years at Philco Ford-Zenith and Warrior Run School District as a bus driver and in bus maintenance. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Watsontown, and was president of the residents’ council at Kramm Healthcare. Born Oct. 14, 1913, in Derry Township, Montour County, he was a son of Harry and Rosa Heddings Umstead. Surviving are two daughters, Judy Simpson of Texas and Susan Markle of Milton; two sisters, Kathryn Keefer and Violet Sampsell, both of Milton; seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Jesse and Russell. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Cronrath’s, 308 Main St., Watsontown, with the Rev. Gregory Kramer officiating. Burial will be in the Dreisbach Church Cemetery, Buffalo Township. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Clifford H. Walizer
MIFFLINBURG - Clifford H. Walizer, 92, formerly of Sugar Valley, died Sunday, Dec. 17, 2000, in Riverwoods Nursing Home, Lewisburg. He and his late wife, the former Thema Geary, were married June 6, 1929. He graduated in Greenburr. He was a member of the Sugar Valley Church of the Brethern. He was a farmer. He was a member of Bald Eagle Rifle Club. Born March 14, 1908, in Greenburr, he was a son of Newton and Sarah Kahl Walizer. Surviving are five sons, Gerald of Williamsport, Arden of Carroll, Gale of Rebersburg, William of Loganton and Thomas of Waynesboro; four daughters, Linda Wert of Manasses, Va., Jane Renninger of Mifflinburg, C. Susie Ickes of Boonesboro, Md. and Roxanne Styers of Mifflinburg; one sister, Mary Royer of Buffalo Valley Nursing Home, Lewisburg; 39 grandchildren and 62 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three children and one sister. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Sugar Valley Church of the Brethern, Eastville, with the Revs. Kenneth Geisewite and Randall Fiske officiating. Burial will be in the Sugar Valley Church of the Brethern Cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Welker’s, 95 E. Main St., Loganton.
William T. Welter
William Townsend Welter, 69, of 503 Hawthorne Ave., died Sunday, Dec. 17, 2000, at his residence following an extended illness. He and his wife, the former Wahneeta Metzger, celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary on April 30. He was a 1948 graduate of Williamsport High School. He retired in 1992 after 45 years of employment in the Sun Gazette in the composing room. From July 13, 1951 to July 13, 1955, he served in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Strategic Air Command and served aboard the “PeaceMaker” B36 bomber as a gunner. He was a charter member of the Korean War Veterans of Lycoming County, where he served as secretary and editor of the “No Name Newsletter.” He was also a member of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee. He was of the Protestant faith. Born Feb. 11, 1937 in Scranton, Lackawanna County, he was a son of the late Chester T. and Marion Townsend Welter. Surviving, besides his wife, are two sons, William T. and Robert T., both of Williamsport; two daughters, Krista A. Fagnano and Jeanne E. Reeder, both of Williamsport; and three grandchildren, Curtis, Zachary John and Olivia Mae Welter. He was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Melissa Ann Welter. A military memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Lycoming County Veterans Memorial Park, W. Fourth St., by the Korean War Veterans of Lycoming County. The family will provide the flowers. Arrangements are being handled by Betzer’s, 108 N. Main St., Muncy.
Rev. Lester W. Zehner
MILTON - Rev. Lester W. Zehner, 85, of 24 Woodside Dr., died Saturday, Dec. 16, 2000, at the Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg. A retired minister, he served as pastor at the Middleburg Wesleyan Church, the Muir/Hegins Wesleyan Church, the Glen Iron Pilgrim Holiness Church, the Pine Grove/Muir Church, the Jersey Shore Wesleyan Church, the Allenwood Wesleyan Church and the Columbia Circuit of the United Methodist Church in Berwick. For 15 years he hosted the “Pilgrim Hour” on WRAK radio in Williamsport. He graduated from high school in Owosso, Mich., and from the Owosso Bible College and the United Wesleyan Seminary in Allentown. He attended Lycoming College and Wesleyan Seminary at American University, Washington, D.C. He was a member of the St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Milton. He enjoyed reading, hunting, fishing and music. Born Feb. 15, 1915, in New Ringold, he was a son of the late Benjamin and Lizzie Hartrantf Zehner. Surviving are his wife, the former Ruth Munson, with whom he would have celebrated his 61st wedding anniversary on Dec. 20; two daughters, Karen L. Reagoso of Media and Faye Eileen Zehner of Milton; and a nephew, Albert Dietrich of Tamaqua. He was preceded in death by a brother, Norman, and four sisters, Florence Koch, Jennie Koch, Dorothy Dietrich and Mae Zimmerman. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the St. Andrews United Methodist Church, Milton, with the Rev. John S. Mullen officiating. Burial will be in Harmony Cemetery, Milton. Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Arrangements are being handled by Shaw’s, 400 N. Front St., Milton.
Jesse L. Magargle
MUNCY - Jesse L. Magargle, 68, of 2381 Route 405, died Sunday, Dec. 17, 2000, at home. He and his wife, the former Eleanor M. Temple, observed their 39th wedding anniversary March 27. He was retired from Danville State Hospital following 35 years of employment. He was a member of American Legion Post 268 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3428, both of Muncy. He was a former member of the former Rescue 5 Volunteer Fire Company,Danville. He was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. Born June 20, 1932, in Jerseytown, Columbia County, he was a son of Ellis and Lillian Shaner Magargle. Surviving, besides his wife, are a son, Timothy of Plano, Texas; two daughters, Barbara A. Kitka of Hughesville and Betty A. Attinger of Northumberland; a brother, Ellis “Mike” Jr. of this city; five sisters, Viola Michael of Turbotville RR, Ruth Kline of Milton, Maxine Eichenlaub of Pennsdale, his twin sister, Tesse Michael of Turbotville, and Shirley McCollum of Loganton; a half-sister, Ellisa Hodnett of Seals, Ala.; six grandchildren, Brian Reamer, Karina, Tanya and Shaun Jesse Magargle, Kiersten and Christopher Kitka; and two step-grandsons, Nathan and Matthew Kitka. He was preceded in death by a sister, Sophia Smith, and a step-son, Robert Leo Rider, who died in 1970. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Brooks’, 207 Broadway St., Turbotville, with the Rev. Kevin R. Kline, of Victory Bible Church, officiating. Burial will be in Muncy Cemetery. Full military honors will be accorded by combined area veterans organizations. Friends may call at the funeral home from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday. The family will provide the flowers.
Mildred V. Williams
LAMAR - Mildred V. Williams, 77, of this borough, died Monday, Dec. 18, 2000, at home. Her husband, Eugene H. Fravel, died in 1974. She was a homemaker. She was a member of Lamar United Methodist Church. Born April 29, 1923, in Greensboro, N.C., she was a daughter of Charles A. and Virgie Tinsbloom Farrington. Surviving are a brother, Charles A. Farrington Jr. of Lamar; and two sisters, Frances L. Gardner of Lamar and Shirley A. Chubb of Pleasant Gap. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Wetzler’s, 320 Main St., Mill Hall, with the Pastor Jennett Wertz officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Lamar Township. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Rebecca ‘Becky’ Baker
Accident Victim
COVINGTON - Rebecca Lee “Becky” Baker, 38, of this borough, died Saturday, Dec. 16, 2000, in Upper Nazareth Township, Northampton County, from injuries received following a vehicle accident that day. She and her husband, William David, observed their 19th wedding anniversary Aug. 16. She was employed by C and T Enterprises as an assistant payroll clerk and the member service relations department for 10 years. She was a member of Mainesburg United Methodist Church where she was a Sunday school teacher and minister of Outreach Ministries. She was a 1980 graduate of Delaware Valley High School in Frenchtown, N.J. and a 1985 graduate of Mansfield University with a degree in business administration. She was an active volunteer and committee member of the Tioga County Dairy Princess Program under the direction of the America Dairy Association, Dairy Council and the PA Dairy Princess Program. She was a Tioga County 4-H Leader and Mansfield Girl Scout Troop Leader. She enjoyed needlepoint. Born July 1, 1962, in Flemington, N.J., she was a daughter of John H. and Elizabeth L. Howard McPherson. Surviving, besides her husband and her parents of Pittstown, N.J., are two daughters, Kristina Lea and Kimberly Ann, both at home; a brother, John L. McPherson of Pittstown, N.J.; paternal grandmother Edna McPherson of Pittstown, N.J.; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church, in Mainesburg, with the Rev. Howard T. Woodruff officiating. Burial will be in State Road Cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Arrangements are being handled by Scureman’s, 130 S. Main St., Mansfield.
Louise Brigham
TIOGA - Louise Brigham, 89, of this borough, died Monday, Dec. 18, 2000, at home. She was the widow of Edwin Dewitt Brigham Jr. Earlier in life, she taught elementary grades in Millerton and Tioga schools. She was a member of Presbyterian Church in Tioga. She was elder in the church for a number of years. She was a graduate of Tioga schools and the former Mansfield College. While living in Endicott, N.Y., she was an enthusiastic leader in the Endicott Womens Club, the PTA and her church Presbyterial Association with its ecumenical mission and issues of social justice. She was a lifelong Democrat. Born June 6, 1911, in Tioga, she was a fifth generation descendent of early settlers in the Tioga Valley. She was a daughter of Vine and Maude Ramsdell Hughes. Surviving are a daughter, Beneth Morrow of Las Vegas, Nev.; a sister, Greta H. Pockman of Clearwater, Fla.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Vine Bernard Brigham. A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are being handled by Scureman’s, 130 S. Main St., Mansfield.
Alma L. Bush
JERSEY SHORE - Alma L. Bush, 89, of 1401 Locust St., died Monday, Dec. 18, 2000, at Jersey Shore Hospital Emergency Room. Her husband, Harold E., died Sept. 17, 1993. She was a retired registered nurse from the Williamsport Hospital. She had also worked for the Red Cross. She was a member of the Fairplay Gospel Fellowship in Jersey Shore. She was a 1933 graduate of Williamsport Hospital School of Nursing and attended Lycoming College. Born March 31, 1911, in Renovo, she was a daughter of Charles W. and Margaret G. Heverly Hahn. Surviving are a son, David H. of Jersey Shore; and a brother, Charles W. Hahn of Jersey Shore. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Welker’s, 125 N. Main St., Jersey Shore, with the Rev. Donald Harbaugh and Rev. George Morton officiating. Burial will be in Jersey Shore Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Freda Mattson Hauge
Freda Mattson Hauge, 92, of the Williamsport Home, died Friday, Dec. 15, 2000, at the Home. She was a 1927 graduate of Williamsport High School. She obtained teaching credentials and graduated from the former Lock Haven State Teachers College in 1929. She attended nursing school in Moline, Ill. She was a former member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, Renovo, St. Marks Lutheran Church, Harrisburg and Lutheran Church of our Savior, in this city. She was a member of Dorcas Society and Eastern Star. She spent many years traveling abroad with her husband and they lived in Scandanavia for several years. Born Jan. 12, 1908, in Gothenburg, Sweden, she was a daughter of John and Augusta Mattson. Surviving are a son, Eric of Parsippany, N.J.; a daughter, Karen of Redwood Shores, Calif.; a granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold H. The funeral will be private at the request of the family. There will be no visitation. Arrangements are being handled by Noll’s, 1 E. Central Ave., South Williamsport.
Iola R. Edkin
EAGLES MERE - Iola R. Edkin, 86, of this borough, died Sunday, Dec. 17, 2000, at the Highlands, Laporte. Her husband, Earl E., died April 13, 1990. She retired as a cook from the former Eagles Mere Elementary School. She was a member of the Eagles Mere Federated Church. She enjoyed sewing crafts. She was born Aug. 10, 1914, in Eagles Mere. Surviving are a son, James of Saline, Mich.; two daughters, Dorothea Wickersham of Woodbury, Minn. and E. Jane Watts of Millville; a brother, Clayton Andrews of Eagles Mere; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Julia Andrews and Irene Wilson. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at McCarty-Thomas’, 557 E. Water St., Hughesville, with the Rev. Henry E. Gable, Chaplain of the Highlands, officiating. Burial will be in Eagles Mere Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Lewis G. Shumway
WELLSBORO - Lewis G. Shumway, 77, of 27 Bacon St., formerly of 54 1/2 East Ave., died Sunday, Dec. 17, 2000, at the Shared Home. His wife, the former Beverly J. Lincoln, died Sept. 28, 1997. Retiring in 1979, he was employed for 28 years by Eagle Family Foods, formerly Borden, Inc., of Wellsboro. He was a former Justice of the Peace and tax preparer. He was a member of First Baptist Church for 60 years and served as deacon, board member, Sunday school teacher, youth leader and worked with the church missions. He was a 1941 graduate of Wellsboro High School. He was active with regional/statewide organization of the American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware. He was co-chairman on the church building committee in 1970 for First Baptist Church in Wellsboro. He was an Honored Layman of the Year in 1971. He was active in Tioga County Baptist Church Association. He was a long standing board member at the Shared Home in Wellsboro. He was on the Board of Directors for White Deer Valley Baptist Camp in Allenwood and Camp Canton. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and the Pacific Theater. Born Aug. 11, 1923, in Wellsboro, he was a son of Glenn G. and Hazel Dean Shumway. Surviving are three sons, Rev. Alan Shumway of Farmington, Maine, Tom “Lew” of Wellsboro, and Steve of McLean, N.Y.; four daughters, Lura Shaffer of South Williamsport, Betty Stoltzfus of Wellsboro, Sally Locey of Elmira, N.Y., and Rev. Jane Shumway of Almond, N.Y.; a brother, John of Antrim; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Tom, who died in 1952. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, 25 Central Ave., Wellsboro, with the Rev. John McNassor officiating. Burial will be in Wellsboro Cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Arrangements are being handled by Tussey-Mosher’s, 139 Main St., Wellsboro.
Louise M. Lusk
Louise M. Lusk, 81, of 125 Lawson St., died Sunday, Dec. 17, 2000, at Williamsport Hospital following a brief illness. Her husband, Oliver F., died Oct. 1, 1970. She was employed by Wundies for 18 years and previously worked at Weldon Manufacturing for 31 years. She was a member of Memorial Baptist Church. Born March 24, 1919, in this city, she was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lantz. Surviving are two daughters, Doris Louise Morris and Mary Pauline Andrews, both of Cogan Station; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by a son, Oliver Joseph Lusk. The funeral will be held at the convenience of the family with the Rev. Jeffrey J. Williams, her pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Trout Run Cemetery. There will be no visitation. The family will provide the flowers. Arrangements are being handled by Knight-Confer’s, 1914 Memorial Ave.
Laura E. Reese
Laura Elizabeth Reese, 77, of Baltimore, Md., a Mildred native, died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2000, at home. Her husband, Lawrence O., died Nov. 8, 1980. She attended local schools. She was a founding member of Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church in Essex, Md. and volunteered at the church. She was preparing a document on the church’s history and was also active with the Evangelical Lutheran Church Women’s Association. Born Dec. 18, 1922, in Mildred, she was a daughter of Noah and Inez Pazzaglia Panichi. Surviving are a son, Lee T. of Baltimore, Md.; a sister, Ruth Sick of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son, Lawrence on Nov. 30, 1998. The funeral was held Saturday, Dec. 16, 2000, at the Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church. Arrangements were handled by Homer’s, 206 Water St., Dushore.
