Obituaries by LocationVirginia Nowakowski
BLOSSBURG - Virginia “Dutchie” Nowakowski, 74, of this borough, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2001. Her husband, Raymond, died May 3, 1978. She cared for many children in the area. Born Feb. 11, 1926, in Arnot, she was a daughter of Clarence E. and Florence Shink Hodder Sr. Surviving are three sons, Paul of Liberty, Joseph of Wellsboro and John of Blossburg; a daughter, Kathy of Blossburg; two brothers, Robert and Ronald Hodder, both of Blossburg; five sisters, Violet Lloyd and Sylvia Canfield, both of Blossburg, Shirley Chapman of Montrose, Elsie Krause of Mainesburg and Bernice Clark of Wellsboro. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Gilbert and Clarence Hodder Jr., and a sister, Gertrude Gruzlewski. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Zwicharowski’s, 314 Granger St., with the Rev. John Shypulefski officiating. Burial will be in Arbon Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday. The family will provide the flowers.
Thelma L. Swain
SALLADASBURG - Thelma L. Swain, 97, formerly of this borough, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2001, at Lock Haven Hospital. She was a teacher in the Philadelphia and Jenkintown area for several years. She was a member of Salladasburg United Methodist Church. Born March 19, 1903, in White Pine, she was a daughter of Edward and Emma Lane McCullough. Surviving are nieces and nephews. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the church, Salladasburg, with the Rev. Thomas J. Fetterolf officiating. There will be no visitation. Arrangements are being handled by Welker’s, 125 N. Main St., Jersey Shore.
Michael D. Fuller
WELLSBORO - Michael Dewey Fuller, 50, a borough native, died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2000, in Breckenridge, Colo. He was a lead carpenter with Whiskey Park Log Cabins, Silver Thorne, Colo., and a ski instructor for Arapaho Basin Ski area, Keystone, Colo. He was a 1968 graduate of Williamson High School. Born March 5, 1950, he was a son of James H. and Wyona Lawton Fuller. Surviving are his mother of Wellsboro; a son, Daniel of Livonia, N.Y.; three brothers, Ralph of Arlington, Va., Brian of Middlebury Center and Dean of Wellsboro; a sister, Pamela Voytko of North Cambria. A memorial service will be at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Tussey-Mosher’s, 139 Main St.
Phyllis J. Chervinsky
Phyllis J. Chervinksy, 50, of 1880 Beverly Ave. died Friday, Jan. 5, 2001, at home. She was a licensed practical nurse at the Williamsport Home. She was a member of the Pennsylvania Nurses Association. She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church. Born July 14, 1950, in this city, she was a daughter of Clarence L. and Betty J. Casselberry Moon. Surviving, besides her mother of this city, are a son, Chad M. Chervinsky at home; and three brothers, Kenneth L. and Harry A. Moon of this city, and Jeffrey S. Moon of Montoursville. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Spitler’s, 733 Broad St., Montoursville, with her pastor, the Rev. Melvin D. Bole, officiating. Burial will be in Barbours Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 1 and 2 p.m. Tuesday. The family will provide the flowers.
John B. Grant
John B. “Bud” Grant, 79, of Dallas, Luzerne County, father of Jersey Shore and Watsontown residents, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2001, at Hospice Community Care, Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre. He attended Wilkes-Barre Schools and graduated from Kingston High School. Before retiring, he was a self-employed sales representative for Mac Tools and a navy veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Prince of Peace Church, Dallas. He was a member of the George W. Dallas Lodge 531, F&AM; Calwell Consistory, Bloomsburg, and the Irem Temple and its directors staff, Wilkes-Barre. He was a life member of the National Rifle Association. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, the former Gloria Nelson; two sons, Ronald B. of Watsontown and John N. of Jersey Shore; two daughters, Gloria Zimmerman of Lake Ariel and Susan Shepherd of Dallas; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Wednesday at his church, 405 Main St., Dallas, with the Rev. Robert W. Nagy officiating. Burial will be in Chapel Lawn Memorial Park, Dallas. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Disque’s, 672 Memorial Parkway, Dallas.
Pauline O. Innes
CANTON - Pauline O. Innes, 95, of Canton died Friday, Jan. 5, 2001, at the Green Home, Wellsboro. Innes attended Mansfield Normal School. She taught in Rome, N.Y., and Glen Rock, N.J., retiring after 35 years. She was a member of the former Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the Canton Garden Club and the New Jersey Retired Teachers Association. Born here Feb. 9, 1905, she was a daughter of Theodore and Mabel Owen Innes. Surviving are cousins. Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Morse and Kleese’s here with the Rev. Duane Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Grover Cemetery.
Ray O. Peters
BLANCHARD - Ray O. Peters, 57, of Blanchard died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2001, in Lock Haven Hospital after an extended illness. Peters retired after 25 years from the Jersey Shore West Co. and had been employed at Lock Haven Hospital and the former Wolf Furniture Store, Lock Haven. He was a graduate of the former Bald Eagle-Nittany High School, Mill Hall. Born Sept. 6, 1943, in Beech Creek, he was a son of Casper and Ada Bittner Peters. Surviving, besides his father and stepmother, Elizabeth Shaw Peters, are a son, Scott of Lock Haven; one daughter, Monica P. Shaffer of Carlisle; one brother, Bruce R. of Beech Creek; and one sister, Kathleen Killinger of Camp Hill. A private funeral will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Yost-Gedon’s, 121 W. Main St., Lock Haven, with the Rev. Russel J. Moldovan officiating. Burial will be in Blanchard Christian Cemetery. There will be no visitation.
Mary L. Sellinger
JERSEY SHORE - Mary L. Sellinger, 82, of 5531 Route 287 Highway died Friday, Jan. 5, 2001, at home. She was employed by Weldon’s and retired from Brodart. Born Jan. 20, 1918, in Karthaus, she was a daughter of Victor Vermeulen and the former Philomene Givert. Surviving are two daughters, Gloria E. Fuller of Jersey Shore and Bonnie L. Dennis of Albemarle, N.C.; a brother, Lawrence of Pittsburgh; a sister, Margie Sylvis of Verona; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Memorial service and burial will be at the convenience of the family in the Salladasburg Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Welker’s, 125 N. Main St., Jersey Shore.
Helen M. Winder
Helen M. Winder, 54, of Milton died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2001. She and her husband, Terrance R. Winder, observed the 34th anniversary June 25. Winder retired from JPM, Lewisburg, and had been employed by the Milton Area School District, Kramm’s Healthcare Center and Sears at the Lycoming Mall. She was a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1665 and a member of the Milton Volunteer Fire Department. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church of Christ, Turbotville. She was a 1965 graduate of Hughesville High School. Born Oct. 31, 1946, she was a daughter of Alvin W. and M. Christine Baylor Poust. Surviving, besides her husband, are two sons, Charles R. of Sunbury and Richard A. of Norfolk, Va.; two daughters, Sandra K. Williamson of Coupeville, Wash., and Sharon K. Aikey of Milton; three sisters, Virginia R. Fry of this city, MaryAnn Poust of Steelton and Betty L. Poust of Unityville; and six grandchildren. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Brooks’, 207 Broadway St., Turbotville, with the Rev. Susan D’heedene officiating. Burial will be in Twin Hills Memorial Park, Muncy. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Sarah L. Zellers
MONTGOMERY - Sarah L “Sally” Zellers, 71, of Chevy Lane died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2001, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where she was admitted Friday. She and her husband, Paul S. Zellers, observed their 42nd wedding anniversary May 29. She was a homemaker and had been employed by Eureka Paper Products. She attended Williamsport High School and the Lycoming Artistry School. Born Dec. 17, 1929, in Williamsport, she was a daughter of Harold and Sarah A. Morehart Beamer. In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son, Joseph A. of Clarkstown; five daughters, Roberta Fuller of Willow Springs, N.C., Carlene Ryder of Cogan Station, Lois Peters of Jersey Shore, Tina Guthrie of Clearfield County and Pamela Swartzlander of Mifflinburg; four brothers, William and Clyde Beamer, both of Smokey Corners, and Glenn “Jimmy” and Clarence Beamer, both of Williamsport; two sisters, Doris Stevens of Cogan Station and Lois Welch of Williamsport; 17 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by two sons, Paul Samuel and Paul Arthur Zellers, and a daughter, Betty Lou Winnie. The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Brooks’, 207 Broadway St., Turbotville, with D. David Shoemaker of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Route 405, Muncy, officiating. Burial will be in Watsontown Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Monday.
David F. Aunkst
David F. “Pete” Aunkst, 88, of Lewisburg, formerly of Watsontown and Montgomery, died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2001, in the Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg. He was a truck driver for the former Fallmer Trucking Company in Milton from 1935 to 1942, and was employed by several other trucking firms, including the former Pennsylvania Ordinance, Allenwood; York Buffalo Express Co., York; Jasper Wood Products. Aunkst was also a truck mechanic for many area garages, including Miles Transfer of Milton and H.H. Fallmer of West Milton. He retired in 1977 from Kepler Brothers in Milton. Born Feb. 17, 1912, in Lewis Township, Northumberland County, he was a son of David W. and Elmira Mincemoyer Aunkst. Surviving are a daughter, Ruth Eshenaur of Watsontown; two grandsons, David Eshenaur and Dwayne Eshenaur; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, the former Evelyn Weaver, who died in 1976; his second wife, the former Ernestine Hoff Bartlow, who died in 1991; a brother, William; and two sisters, Kathryn Crawford and Mary Crawford. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church, Watsontown, with the Rev. Elizabeth Affspring, officiating. Burial will be in Green Lawn Memorial Park, Montgomery. Friends may call at the church, from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday. Arrangements are being handled by Cronrath’s, 308 Main St., Watsontown.
Clair W. “Jack” Beightol
Clair W. “Jack” Beightol, 87, of Williamsport died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2001, in Williamsport Hospital. He wed Pearl Mitcheltree in 1960 in this city. She died in 1977. A self-employed wallpaper hanger and painter, he was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a life member of the Jersey Shore Moose. Born Jan. 21, 1913, in Marion Township, Centre County, he was a son of William and Oneida Harter Beightol. Surviving are two sisters, Melverta Dunkle of Centre Hall and Louise Gardner of Howard; a brother, Earl D. of Riverside, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Neff’s, 837 W. Main St., Howard, with the Rev. Jack Archer officiating. Burial will be in Evangelical Cemetery at Howard. Friends may call at the funeral home from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Lulu M. Dieffenderfer
Lulu M. Dieffenderfer, 93, of 25 Ivy Lane, Lewisburg, formerly of Watsontown, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2001, in St. Clare’s Hospital, Denville, N.J. She first taught in one and two-room schoolhouses in Buffalo Township, Union County, and then taught fourth grade at the high school in Lewisburg. After getting married, she took 10 years off, returning to the classroom in 1957, teaching at the Allenwood, Turbotville High School and the Watsontown Elementary School and became the head teacher when the school moved to another building. She retired in 1973 after 29 years. Dieffenderfer was a member of the First Lutheran Church, Watsontown, where she taught Sunday school and the Adult Class. She was a past worth matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 282, Watsontown. She was district deputy of the O.E.S. District 13 in 1987-1988, and served many district appointments. She was a member and held office in several other organizations, including, the Messiah White Shrine, Sunbury; the Pennsylvania State Educators Association, Warrior Run Chapter; the Northumberland County Retired Teachers Association; the Pennsylvania Association of the Schools Retirees; the National Educators Association; the McEwensville Garden Club, and the Warrior Run Heritage Society. Dieffenderfer enjoyed crafts, needlework and gardening. A 1928 graduate of the Lewisburg High School, she received a degree in mathematics and education from Bucknell University, Lewisburg, in 1932, and a received a masters from the same school in 1937. Born Nov. 22, 1907, in Buffalo Township, Union County, she was a daughter of Clark S. and Ella Miriam Dice Miller. Survivors are two daughters, Anne D. Spicer, Lewistown and Ruth D. Lewis of Mountain Lakes, N.J.; a sister, Mary S. Koch of Lewisburg; and four grandchildren, Don, Scott, Joshua and Alexander. She was preceded in death by her husband, Olan H. Dieffenderfer, to whom she was married for over 36 years, and a brother, L. Dice Miller. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Mazeppa Union Church, Mazeppa, with the Rev. Kenneth C. Louder, a retired Lutheran pastor of Mifflinburg, officiating. Burial will be in the church Cemetery. Friends may call at Cronrath’s, South Second and St. Louis streets, from 2 to 3 p.m. and again from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. The O.E.S. Chapter 282, Watsontown, will conduct a service at 7:45 p.m.
June A. McClain
JERSEY SHORE - June A. McClain, 81, of 418 S. Broad St., died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2001, in the Manorcare Nursing Home. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church of Jersey Shore. McClain also was a member of the Clinton Country Club. Born June 21, 1919, in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of Raymond and Laura Gibson Stahl. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Larue G. (Albie) McClain, who died last April 27. Surviving are two daughters, Diane R. Frederick and Cynthia M. Miller both of Williamsport; a sister, Beverly Emert of Fort St. Lucie, Fla.; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Welker’s, 125 N. Main St., with the Rev. Kerry Aucker, her pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Jersey Shore Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. The family will provide the flowers.
Clair G. Munro
WOOLRICH - Clair G. Munro, 73, of 249 Park Ave. died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2001, in the emergency room of Jersey Shore Hospital. He wed Patricia A. Coyle on Oct. 7, 1949, in St. Agnes Rectory. He worked at the former Bloomsburg Silk Mill in Lock Haven. He was the credit manager at Piper Aircraft from 1946 to 1984, and worked in the finance department of Woolrich Woolen Mill from 1985 to 1990. He served in the Marine Corps from Aug. 15, 1945, to Aug. 23, 1946, and then again from Jan. 21, 1948, to Jan. 20, 1952, with the rank of Private First Class. He was a social member of the Sons of Italy, Lock Haven, and of the Castanea Fire Co. Born Nov. 9, 1927 in Lock Haven, he was a son of Clair E. and Thelma Rogers Munro. Surviving, besides his wife, are four daughters, Mary Ellen Ergott of Avis; Jann Yontz of Lock Haven; Jill Snyder of Camp Hill and Amy Munro of Harrisburg; three brothers, Richard of Mill Hall; Robert of Lock Haven; and Edwin of Linhurst, Va.; three grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Sandra K. Corl, on Jan. 23, 2000. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Moriarty-Dutcavich’s, 112 E. Church St., Lock Haven, with the Rev. Neil R. Dadey officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park, Lock Haven RR 1. Friends may call at the funeral home from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Bradley L. Ream Sr.
JERSEY SHORE - The funeral will be this morning for Bradley L. “Duck” Ream Sr., 60, of Jersey Shore RR 1, who 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; and a brother, Harry H., who was a casualty of World War II. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. at Rearick-Carpenter’s, 1002 Allegheny St., with his pastor, the Rev. Mark Woodring, officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park, Lock Haven RR 1.
Mary L. Sellinger
JERSEY SHORE - Mary L. Sellinger, 82, of 5531 Route 287 Highway died Friday, Jan. 5, 2001, at home. She was employed by Weldon’s and retired from Brodart. She enjoyed gardening and crafts. Born Jan. 20, 1918, in Karthaus, she was a daughter of Victor Vermeulen and the former Philomene Givert. Surviving are two daughters, Gloria E. Fuller of Jersey Shore and Bonnie L. Dennis of Albemarle, N.C.; a brother, Lawrence of Pittsburgh; a sister, Margie Sylvis of Verona; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey A. Sellinger, on May 19, 1962. She is also survived by a companion of many years, Elmer Devine. Memorial service and burial will be held at the convenience of the family in the Salladasburg Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Welker’s, 125 N. Main St.
