Obituaries by LocationBarbara A. Best
Barbara A. Best, 71, of 2418 Riverside Dr., DuBoistown, died Friday, August 17, 2001, in Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. She was the widow of Arthur F. Best who died January 22, 1991.
Barbara was born in Williamsport on November 30, 1929, a daughter of Bruce and Dorothy Askey Allen. She was reared by her grandmother, Clara L. Askey.
She retired from the former Commonwealth Bank in South Williamsport. Barbara was a member of Church of the Savior, Lutheran, where she served as building maintenance treasurer, financial secretary for over 15 years, council member and a member of the Women of Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Barbara was active in the Keenagers group at church where she planned social events and bus trips to shows and resorts. She served as treasurer of the Shepherd of the Streets program. A past member of Penn Laurel Chapter of E.B.W.A. and the Credit Women International of Williamsport, she was also a member of Sunbury chapter 266, Order of Eastern Star, and the Valley Grange 1300 of Lewisberry.
Surviving are a step daughter, Barbara A. Ulmer of Trout Run; two step grandchildren; two step great grandchildren; and a close friend, Edward Richner of city. A son, David Frey, died in 1956.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Church of the Savior, Memorial Ave. and Grier St., with her pastor, the Rev. H. Frank Showers, officiating. Burial will be in Twin Hills Memorial Park. Friends may call at the church from 1-2 p.m. Monday. The family will provide the flowers.
Memorial contributions may be made to the church Memorial Fund. Arrangements by Sanders Mortuary.
Dorothy E. Harpster
Dorothy E. Harpster, 95, of Wellsboro, formerly of Shippensburg, died August 17, 2001, at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital, Wellsboro.
She was born Feb. 25, 1906 in Philipsburg, the daughter of Jackson & Pearlah Biddle Harpster.
Dorothy was a retired English Professor at Shippensburg University. Her teaching career spanned 44 years. She was a 1928 graduate of Dickenson College and earned her M.A. in English from Columbia University in 1934.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Mansfield. She previously taught the Faithful Toilers Sunday School Class at Christ United Methodist Church, Shippensburg. She was also a former member of the BPW, a life member of the NEA, PSEA and Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority International.
Dorothy is survived by 2 sisters, Joyce Foreman of Mansfield & Helen Finkbeiner of Lewistown. She was predeceased by brothers, Wayne & Wendell Harpster and sisters, Wilma Wood & Grace Ives.
Friends are invited to call at the Gary Wilston Funeral Home, 18 N. Main St., Mansfield, Monday 1-2 p.m. Funeral services will follow there Monday at 2 p.m. with Rev. Joyce Treas, her pastor, officiating. Graveside services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Philipsburg Cemetery, Philipsburg. Memorial contributions in Dorothy’s memory may be made to the Quincy United Methodist Home, where she served on the Board of Directors for 15 years, at 6596 Orphanage Road, Quincy, PA 17247.
Lillian G. Holland
Lillian Gertrude Hartley Holland, 91, of 14014 Marsh Pike, Hagerstown, and formerly of Naugatuck, Conn., died Monday, Aug. 13, 2001, at Avalon Manor Nursing Home in Hagerstown.
Born March 19, 1910 in Newberry, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Elmer James and Anna Mae Knecht Hartley.
Her husband, Phillip Joseph Holland, died in 1952.
She is survived by one daughter, Mary Ann Holland Enamait of Falling Waters, W.VA.; and two sisters, Kathleen E. McNamara and Maxine H. Godfrey, both of Williamsport, Pa.
She was preceded in death by one son, Capt. Joseph Phillip Holland; and four brothers, Henry W., Monroe W., Truman H. and Elmer J. Jr. Hartley. Graveside services were held in Naugatuck.
Dorothy S. Sampsell
Leaves 137 descendents
Dorothy S. Sampsell, 94, a resident of Kramm’s Health Care Center, Watsontown, for the past year died Thursday, August 16, 2001 at Lewisburg Evangelical Community Hospital. She was formerly of RR1 New Columbia.
Her husband, Edwin B. Sampsell, died in 1962.
She was a member of the Lewisburg Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Born July 25, 1907 in Lebanon, PA, she was the daughter of Carmeny and Ida Blouch Douple.
Surviving are four sons, Edwin B. Sampsell, Jr. and Henry D. Sampsell, both of Allenwood, William G. Sampsell and Robert B. Sampsell, both of Montgomery; five daughters, Shirley D. Stryker of Muncy, Thelma M. Deitrick and Patricia C. Hoffman, both of New Columbia, Donna F. Moretz of Hegins and Julie I. Deem of Montgomery; 39 grandchildren, 77 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by 7 children and several grandchildren.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday at the Elimsport United Methodist Church. Officiating will be Pastor David L. Reinwald, her pastor. Interment will be in Highland Cemetery, New Columbia.
Friends may call at the church on Monday from 9 to 10 a.m. The family will provide the flowers and suggests memorial contributions be made to any Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Arrangements are being handled by Wallis-Grenoble’s, 121 S. Main St., Muncy.
Irene A. Signor
Irene A. Signor, formerly of this city, died at 3 a.m., Aug. 16, 2001 at St. Bernadine’s Hospital in San Bernadino, CA, where she was residing with her daughter.
There will be no viewing or funeral services. Immediate family members will provide graveside flowers and prayers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Third St. United Methodist Church. In loving memory of Irene, the family requests you love one another and put Christ in your heart.
Irene will be joining her husband of 57 years, who left us in Jan. 1993, and a daughter, Sandra Signor Graybill, who left us in Sept. 1997. She is survived by 2 daughters, Virginia Signor Laurenson of Rialto, CA and Ruth Signor Graybill of S. Williamsport; 15 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; and 4 great great grandchildren.
Arrangements are being handled by Spitler Funeral Home.
Kenneth J. Stroble
Kenneth J. Stroble, 91, of 739 Mulberry St., Montoursville, died Thursday, Aug. 16, 2001 at his residence.
Born January 4, 1910 in Upper Fairfield Twp., he was the son of Fred and Ardella Kurtz Stroble.
Mr. Stroble retired in 1975 after 46 years as an equipment operator for the former Lycoming Silica Sand Company in Montoursville. He was a member of the Bethel United Methodist Church for 61 years, the Mountain Meadow Lodge in Ralston, the 3/4 Century Club, the Montoursville Senior Citizens, and the Stroble Quartet. He had coached Montoursville Little League and was an avid hunter and bowler.
He and his wife, the former Lois C. Entz, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary April 11, 2001.
Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons, Donald K. of Mechanicsburg and Ronald G. of Montoursville; 4 sisters, Fern Stroble and Clarabel Stroble of Montoursville, Wilma Olsen of NJ and Jean Boss of Ottawa, OH; 4 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by 3 brothers and 2 sisters.
The funeral will be Monday, 10:30 a.m. at Spitler Funeral Home with his pastor, Rev. Beth Rohrbach-Perry, officiating. Burial will be in Montoursville Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home, Sunday from 6-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to: The Bethel United Methodist Church, 513 Spruce St., Montoursville, PA 17754.
Bruce E. Tilburg
Bruce E. Tilburg, 55, of 194 Wynwood Drive, Cogan Station, died Thursday, August 16, 2001, at his residence.
He was married to the former E. Janette Bonnell.
He worked as a welder and steamfitter for local union 520. He was a member of the Williamsport Masonic Lodge 397, Zafar Grotto and the V.F.W. Post 844.
He was born in Williamsport on December 15, 1945, a son of Samuel F. and Betty J. Cowher Tilburg.
Surviving in addition to his wife are his parents of Williamsport; one son, Brian E. of Montoursville; two daughters, Wendy Gentry of Waco, TX and Chrissie R. Tilburg at home; one step daughter, Ellen Ketcham of Eldridge, MO; one sister, Susan Rall in FL; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Samuel.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 20, 11 a.m. at the Knight-Confer Funeral Home, 1914 Memorial Avenue, with Rev. John W. Brokopp, pastor of Fairlawn Community Church, officiating. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery. There will be a visitation from 10-11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Lewis E. Walters
Lewis E. Walters, 87, of Lockport Heights, Lock Haven, died August 16, 2001. Surviving are 2 sons, Ted L. of Flemington and Jack W. of Swissdale; 3 sisters; 3 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; and 4 great great grandchildren. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Yost-Gedon’s, 121 W. Main St., Lock Haven. A family visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home. Burial in Rest Haven Memorial Park.
Florence G. Bechdel
Published Date: 9/5/01
Florence G. Bechdel, 93, of Beech Creek, better known as Grammy Bechdel to everyone, passed away Monday, Sept. 3, 2001, at Jersey Shore Hospital.
Born Sept. 7, 1907 in Beech Creek, the daughter of the late Harry & Josephine (Watkins) Kitchen. On July 25, 1925, in Maryland, she married William B. Bechdel whom has also entered into eternal life on March 6, 1987.
She was a L.P.N. and did Practical Nursing in the Lock Haven area.
Grammy enjoyed playing cards, going to bingo and spending time with her family.
She was a member of the Monument Church of Christ and the Beech Creek American Legion Auxiliary.
Surviving are three sons, Leroy Bechdel of Beech Creek, Lynn Bechdel of Mill Hall, Daniel Bechdel of Beech Creek, with whom she lived; three daughters, Martha Smoyer of Bellefone, Lois Confer of Monument & Mary Lou Evers of Hollyhill, FL; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren & great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by three sons, Harry, Merle and Donald; three brothers, Robert Sr., Joseph Sr., and Uriah Kitchen; and three grandsons.
Visitation will be Wednesday, Sept. 5, from 7-9 p.m. at the W. Robert Neff F. H., 837 Main St., Howard. Services will be Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Bo King officiating. Burial will be at Baptist Cemetery in Blanchard.
