Obituaries by LocationRobert J. Ashenfelder
NEW COLUMBIA - Robert J. Ashenfelder, 81, of New Columbia RR 1 died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001, in Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg. He and his wife, the former Annie M. Geter, were married for 56 years. He was a carpenter for 38 years with the George H. Roller Construction Co., Williamsport, retiring in 1982. An Army veteran of World War II, he was a staff sergeant with the 409th Infantry Co. L of the 103 Infantry Division, having fought in France, Germany, Austria and Italy. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and three battle stars. He was a member of American Legion Post 323, Watsontown, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1665, Milton. He was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 76, Hazleton. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Born June 13, 1919, in Strawberry Ridge, he was a son of Atwood and Cora Marie Renner Ashenfelder. Surviving, besides his wife, are a daughter, Linda Clugston of Milton; three sons, Robert II of Mechanicsburg, David of New Columbia RR 1, and William of New Columbia; five brothers, Paul and Edsel, both of Danville, Marvin of New Columbia, Bryce of Berwick and Wayne of Turbotville; a sister, Marian Croman of Pottsgrove; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandson. He was preceded in death by a sister, Elinor, and two brothers, Lee W. and Allen A. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Shaw’s, 400 N. Front St., Milton. Officiating will be the Rev. Stephen G. Shirk. Interment will be in the Washingtonville Cemetery, where graveside military services will be held. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday.
Dale J. Julian
Dale J. Julian, 48, of Catawissa RR, brother of a Montgomery woman, died Monday, Jan. 1, 2001, in the Bloomsburg Hospital Emergency Room. He was employed by Thunder Chicken Auto Sales, Catawissa. He previously had been employed by LDI, Montgomery; Sardoni Construction; and Bell Telephone Co. He also was a former constable in Franklin Township, Columbia County. He attended Southern Columbia Area schools and Montgomery High School. He was a former member of Tri-County ABATE. He was a licensed pilot, an avid motorcyclist and a licensed Harley-Davidson mechanic. Born May 29, 1952, in Montana, he was a son of Galen and Leona Artley Julian. Surviving, besides his mother of Rupert, are a son, Scott Pfirman of Catawissa RR; two daughters, Paula Pfirman of Catawissa RR and Jenna Everhart in Florida; a sister, Gale L. Julian-Stugart of Montgomery; and a granddaughter. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Horne’s, 193 McIntyre Road, Catawissa, with the Rev. Kenneth Reagle, pastor of Mount Zion and Kulp United Methodist churches, officiating. Burial will be in Mount Zion United Methodist Cemetery, Catawissa.
Bette Jane Kiehl
Bette Jane Kiehl, 78, formerly of Cogan Station died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001, in Manor Care Nursing Center North, following a lengthy illness. She and her husband, John K. Kiehl Sr. observed their 50th wedding anniversary March 8. She had been a licensed practical nurse at Williamsport and Divine Providence hospitals. She was a graduate of Williamsport High School and the former Williamsport Area Community College. She was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Born Feb. 17, 1922, in this city, she was a daughter of Carl and Sarah Elizabeth Paulhamus Biichle. Surviving, besides her husband, are two sons, David A. Seitzer of Talmage, Ohio, and John K. Jr. of this city; two daughters, Joanne K. Kiehl of this city and Patricia J. Orwig of Gainesville, Fla.; 11 grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by a son, Douglas S. Seitzer. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the church, corner of Linn and Pearl streets, with the Rev. Elizabeth Fladland officiating. Interment will be at Green Lawn Memorial Park at the family’s convenience. There will be no visitation. The family will provide the flowers. Arrangements are being handled by Knight-Confer’s, 1914 Memorial Ave.
Ron H. Taylor
Word has been received that Ron H. Taylor, 68, of 112 E. Beaver Ave., State College, brother of a city woman, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000, in Centre Community Hospital. He taught English as a second language at the Bridge International School in Denver, Colo. Previously he was a printer for K.B. Printing in State College and a librarian in Ventura County, Calif.; University of Florida, Gainsville; Bucknell University, Lewisburg; and Brown University, Providence, R.I. After retiring, he continued story writing and poetry readings, having several works published. He was a 1950 graduate of Williamsport High School. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Penn State University in 1955 and a master of library services degree from Rutgers University in 1966. He was an avid fan of the opera. Born June 24, 1932, in Windber, he was a son of Rev. Rollin H. and Maude Geedy Taylor. Surviving are his mother of Lewisburg; a sister, Carol Badger of South Williamsport; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, in Friends Meetinghouse, 611 E. Prospect Ave., State College, with the Rev. Kenneth Clark officiating.
Catherine L. Lundy
JERSEY SHORE - Catherine L. Lundy, 86, formerly of 1317 Cemetery St. and Sycamore Manor, died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001, at Williamsport Hospital. Her husband, John D. Lundy, died Aug. 18, 1985. She had been employed by the former Jersey Shore Hosery. She was a member of Phelps Chapel United Methodist Church and a past church secretary. She enjoyed the outdoors, birdwatching and crocheting. Born April 8, 1914, in Pine Creek Township, she was a daughter of Harry C. and Esther Gordon Bowers. Surviving are a brother, Charles E. Bowers of Jersey Shore; two sisters, Jane E. Miller and Erba B. Kibbe, both of Jersey Shore; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Welker’s, 125 N. Main St. Burial will be in Jersey Shore Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 9 to 10 a.m.
Anthony Plocinski
Anthony Plocinski, 69, of 590 Constitution Drive, Middletown, formerly of this city, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001, in Frey Village Nursing Center there.
He was retired from Textron. He was a member of Christ Community Church, Lower Swatara Township. Surviving are his wife, the former Anna Mae Reustle of Middletown; three sons, James J. of Cogan Station, Richard A. of Muncy and Christopher T. of Middletown; a brother, Raymond of Montoursville; a sister, Dorothy Smith of this city; and eight grandchildren. The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Matinchek’s, 260 E. Main St., Middletown, with the Rev. David Watson officiating. Burial will be in Middletown Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Hazel A. Hughes
Hazel A. Hughes, 75, of 635 Grandview Drive, Linden, died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001, in Valley View Nursing Center. Her husband, Raymond C. Hughes, died Sept. 12, 2000. She was formerly employed by Hurr’s Dairy. She attended Church of God, Jersey Shore. Born June 2, 1925, in this city, she was a daughter of Wallace and Flossy Kontz Williamson. Surviving are three sons, Dennis Fink of Duluth, Minn., Gary Fink of Johnson City, N.Y., and Arthur Fink, with whom she lived; three daughters, Judith Green-Kline, Connie Mills and Bonnie Van Allen, all of this city; 10 stepchildren; six grandchildren; 36 stepgrandchildren; 38 stepgreat-grandchildren; and three stepgreat-great-grandchildren. Her first husband, Elwood D. Fink, died July 5, 1972. She was predeceased by two brothers, Harold and Victor Williamson, and four sisters, Doris Fink, Cynthia Ulmer, Eloise Kessler and Elva Myers. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Wildwood Cemetery with her pastor, the Rev. Drew A. Wilkerson, officiating. There will be no visitation. Arrangements are being handled by Sanders’, 821 Diamond St.
Jeannette E. Shannon
Jeannette E. Shannon, 88, of 2586 E. State St., East Petersburg, a city native, died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001, at Lancaster Regional Medical Center following a lengthy illness. Her husband, Charles H. Sr., died in February 1980. She was a former dining room supervisor at Susquehanna University, a waitress and an attendant at Laurelton State Village. She was a member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lewisburg. She enjoyed gardening and sewing. Born March 1, 1912, she was a daughter of Nelson H. and Sarah Williams Thompson. Surviving are two sons, John W. of Camp Hill and William T. of Pine Bluff, Ark.; a daughter, Eileen A. of East Petersburg; a stepson, Charles H. Jr. of Cogan Station; two brothers, Lenwood L. Thompson of this city and Sterling L. Thompson of Scranton; a sister, Alberta M. Harding of Haver Hill, Mass.; three stepgrandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Lewisburg Cemetery with the Rev. Scott E. Zimmerer officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Snyder’s, Lancaster.
Susan M. Davis
JERSEY SHORE - Susan M. Davis, 38, of 1777 Devils Elbow Road died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001, at Williamsport Hospital. Born Jan. 18, 1962, in Williamsport, she was a daughter of Charles J. and Sarah A. McGill Aikey. Surviving are a son, Dwayne L. of Jersey Shore; a daughter, Amandah A. of Jersey Shore; three brothers, Robert W. Aikey of Larryville, Steven D. Helm of Linden and Matthew H. Helm of Jersey Shore; a sister, Tammi L. Rhinehart of Muncy; and a grandson, Austin C. Davis. The funeral will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at Welker’s, 125 N. Main St., with the Rev. David McCoy officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Clifford S. Messner
JERSEY SHORE - Clifford S. “Tip” Messner, 86, of 1405 Walnut St. died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001, at Jersey Shore Hospital. His wife, the former Geraldine M. Thomas, died Nov. 13, 1983. He retired in 1976 as chief chemist for Avco. He was a 1936 graduate of Pennsylvania State University. He was a member of First United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Labelle Vallee Lodge 232 F&AM. He was a member of the Williamsport Consistory and the Jaffa Shrine in Altoona. Born here Jan. 17, 1914, he was a son of Charles E. and Jessie Staples Messner. Surviving are nieces and nephews. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Welker’s, 125 N. Main St., with the Rev. Keith Rockwell, his pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Jersey Shore Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Marian Isaac-Lesser
Marian Isaac-Lesser, 84, of Mountain Top, formerly of Williamsport, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001. She was a 1934 graduate of Hazleton High School and a former buyer for Deisroth Department Store, Hazleton. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Wilkes-Barre, where she was a Sunday school teacher, youth group leader and a member of the Come Double Club. She taught nursery school in Williamsport. Born Dec. 6, 1916, in Hazleton, she was a daughter of Harry C. and Edna Steckroth Hill. Surviving are her husband of 17 years, Rowland H. Lesser of Milton; a daughter, Judith Isaac-Seroska of Mountain Top; two granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Walter E. Isaac, in 1968; a grandson, Phillip John Seroska, Jr.; and a sister, Doris Will. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday in St. John’s Lutheran Church, Academy and South River Streets, Wilkes-Barre, with the Rev. Robert F. Sauers officiating. The procession will leave O’Malley’s, 465 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Vine Street Cemetery, Hazleton. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Robert F. McKissick Jr.
WELLSBORO - Robert F. McKissick Jr., 41, of this borough died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2000, at the home of his parents. He was employed by various service industries. He attended First Baptist Church. An Air Force veteran, he was a member of the Vets Club and American Legion. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Born May 12, 1959, in Patuxent River, Md., he was a son of Robert F. Sr. and Rosemary A. McCullough McKissick. Surviving, besides his parents, are his wife, the former Melissa K. Doan; three daughters, Michelle McKissick of Wellsboro and Jennifer and Jessica Slocum, both of Osceola; two sisters, Terry Ann Kohler of Niles Valley and Mary Ellen Rhodes of Montoursville. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Tussey-Mosher’s, 139 Main St., with the Revs. Michael J. Sullivan and John McNassor officiating. Private burial will be in Wellsboro Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday.
Walter J. Mankowski
Walter J. Mankowski, 76, of 2285 Kenwood Ave. died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001, at home. He and his wife, the former Hedy Heyl, observed their 40th wedding anniversary Oct. 28. Retiring in 1989, he was employed by Textron as a sales representative. He was an Army veteran of World War II, receiving a purple heart, three battle stars and a bronze star. Born Dec. 16, 1924, in Newark, N.J., he was a son of Ignatius and Maria Sezyniuk Mankowski. Surviving, besides his wife, are two sisters, Josephine Mrozek of Bridgewater, N.J., and Olga Sajczuk of Lanoka Harbor, N.J. Private services will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are being handled by Kaufman’s, 2102 Northway Road.
Jessica D. Clair
Jessica D. Clair, 22, of Milton RR, formerly of the former Laurelton Center, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001, at Lewisburg Evangelical Hospital. Born March 6, 1978, in this city, she was a daughter of Jeffrey A. and Lorian C. Confer Clair. Surviving are her father and stepmother, Brenda, of Jacksonville, Fla.; her mother and stepfather, Bruce A. Concini of Northumberland; four halfbrothers, Philip J. and Elijah H. Clair, both of Jacksonville, and Kyle M. and Cody A. Concini, both of Northumberland; a halfsister, Moriah L. Clair of Jacksonville; maternal grandparents, George A. and Shirley J. Confer of this city; paternal grandfather, Robert E. Clair of Ocala, Fla.; paternal grandmother, Sally A. Scaife of Cogan Station; paternal great-grandmother, Doris J. York of Trout Run; and paternal stepgreat-grandmother Joann Shook of Edgewater, Fla. The funeral will be at 1:30 Monday at Knight-Confer’s, 1914 Memorial Ave., with the Rev. Ruth Romberger of Heshbon Park United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Green Lawn Memorial Park, Montgomery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Monday. The family will provide the flowers.
Evalyn G. Fowler
Evalyn G. Fowler, 76, of 2736 Lincoln Drive, Montoursville, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2001, at home. Her husband, John F. Fowler Jr., died Sept. 20, 1999. She retired from Bro-Dart and was previously employed by the former Britts and Big N department stores. She was a member of First Baptist Church. She was a graduate of Port Richmond High School, Staten Island, N.Y.; the former Dickenson Junior College, now Lycoming College; and the Maybelle Honour School of Beauty, Washington, D.C. She exhibited at craft shows along the East Coast. Born Oct. 31, 1924, in Kansas City, Mo., she was a daughter of Dr. Stanley E. and Reca Sisk Smith. Surviving are two sons, John F. III of Harrisburg and Christopher M. of this city; two daughters, Reca G. Fowler and Polly A. Saffel, both of this city; and two grandchildren, Chad and Brandy Saffel. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Eugene and Bradford Smith. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Sanders’, 821 Diamond St., with the Rev. Allen H. Goss officiating. Burial will be in Montoursville Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday. The family will provide the flowers.
Bradley L. Ream Sr.
JERSEY SHORE - Bradley L. “Duck” Ream Sr., 60, of Jersey Shore RR 1, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001, in the Emergency Room of Jersey Shore Hospital. He and his wife, the former Dorothy Hummer, observed their 39th wedding anniversary Sept. 1. He retired in 1997 after 32 years with Alcan Cable Co., Williamsport. He was a licensed auctioneer, proprietor of Brad’s Birds in South Avis and affiliated with Woodland View Farms of Canoe Run. He was a graduate of Jersey Shore High School. He was an Army veteran. Ream was a member of the Avis United Methodist Church. He was member of the Jersey Shore Elks Lodge. Born Jan. 5, 1940 in Avis, he was a son of Harold E. and Esther Q. Rickert Ream. Surviving, besides his wife, are are a son, Bradley L. Jr. of Jersey Shore; a daughter, Dawn R. Donahay of Antes Fort; two brothers, William B. of Salladasburg and Robert C. of Beech Creek; a sister, Loveday H. Hamberger of Dunnstown; two grandchildren; and two stepgrandsons. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Lois Cooney and Freda Newgent. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Rearick-Carpenter’s, 1002 Allegheny St., with his pastor, the Rev. Mark Woodring, officiating. Interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park, Lock Haven RR 1. There will be no visitation.
