Obituaries by LocationElmer Joseph Fruet
Elmer Joseph Fruet, 87, of Annandale, Va., and formerly of Sherman St., Muncy, passed away suddenly on Feb. 2, 2012, at Fairfax Hospital in Northern Virginia.
Born Oct. 28, 1924, in Marion Heights and raised both there and in Tyrol, Italy, he was a son of the late Edwino and Maria (Pigarella) Fruet. On Nov. 9, 1946, he married the former Theresa Simonowicz. Together they celebrated 65 years of marriage.
Elmer proudly served in the US Navy in both the Pacific and Atlantic fronts during World War II. After the war he worked as a manager for the former Weldon Manufacturing Company in Muncy and Williamsport. He was a skilled craftsman and carpenter. Elmer built two of his own homes and completed countless residential construction projects throughout the Washington metropolitan area. He spent most of his adult life living and working in Muncy before moving to Virginia to be near his children and their families.
A proud member, Elmer dedicated much of his time and talent to the Church of the Resurrection, Muncy.
An unwavering man of faith and family, he had a huge heart, wonderful stories and generous spirit. Elmer was a faithful husband, a loving father, doting grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and adored friend to many. He will be greatly missed.
Surviving in addition to his wife, are two daughters and one son-in-law, Cindy and Christopher Hoag, of Annapolis, Md. and Christine Chaisson, of Annandale, Va.; one sister and brother-in-law, Rose and Jack Smith of Annandale, Va.; five grandchildren, Alex and Katie Hoag, Jennifer Richey, Neal and Nathan Chaisson; three great-grandchildren, Chase Richey, Lucy Chaisson and Joseph Chaisson, his namesake, and he looked forward to the coming birth of the fourth great-grandchild.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, at the Church of the Resurrection, 75 Musser Lane, Muncy. Officiating will be his pastor, Rev. Glenn McCreary. The family will receive guests from 10 to 11 a.m.
Interment with full military honors will follow in the Resurrection Cemetery.
The family will provide the flowers and suggests memorial contributions be made to the Church of the Resurrection, 75 Musser Lane, Muncy, PA 17756.
William Reno Hill
William Reno Hill, 90, of Muncy, died Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the Muncy Valley Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit.
Born June 11, 1921 in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Reno Earl and Marguerite S. (Phillips) Hill. On November 27, 1941 he married the former Eva K. Burgwald. She preceded him in death on July 17, 2006 after 64 years of marriage.
Bill was a 1939 graduate of Muncy High School and earned a machinist certificate from the former Williamsport Technical Institute. He was a veteran of WWII, having served with the 101st Airborn Division, which refused to surrender and was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. It was the first time in history that an entire division received that award. Bill also received the Purple Heart after being wounded at Bastogne, France.
Following his military career, Bill was a machinist at the former Sprout-Waldron, now Andritz, where he became a member of the Quarter Century Club.
He was also a former member of the Roland Ritter Post 268 American Legion, Muncy.
Bill loved to be near water and enjoyed fishing, trapping and hunting. In his retirement years, he enjoyed going to flea markets to look for antique bottles among other interesting articles. He was a good dancer and a lifelong fan of the Philadelphia Phillies
Surviving are four sons and daughters-in-law, Richard R. and Ginger Hill of Eddystone, David K. and Jane Hill of Clayton, NC, Joseph W. and Karen Hill of Clearfield, and Daniel R. and Cathy Hill of Kernersville, NC; two daughters and sons-in-law, Gail Elaine and Douglas Torok of Montgomery and Jeanette L. and Gregory Paulson of Kernersville, NC; one brother, Harold “Mick” Hill of Muncy; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Marilouise and Angelo Silvagni of Loyalsock and Eleanor “Tootie” and Al Starr of Montoursville; 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Friends will be received from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at Grenoble’s, 121 S. Main St., Muncy, where the funeral will be held at 12:30 p.m. Burial will follow in Green Lawn Memorial Park, Montgomery.
John E. Webb
John E. Webb, 91, of Montgomery, passed away Oct. 28, 2008 at his residence.
Born July 27, 1917 in Williamsport, he was the son of John J. and Jennie Egli Webb.
Mr. Webb was a World War II Army Veteran, a member of the American Legion Post 251-Montgomery (Bower Decker), V.F.W. Post 3428-Muncy, 40 ET 8-Williamsport, and the Highland Lake Manor Corp.
He retired as an X-Ray Welder, having been a member of the Pipe & Steamfitter Union Local 520, Harrisburg.
Surviving is his wife, the former Caroline N. Albert; a son, Donald J. of Clarkstown; two daughters, Martha W. Stahl of Watsontown and Cheryl L. (Ronald) Ellsworth of Williamson, NY; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Carlton and Clifford; and a sister, Eleanor Case.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Beech Valley Cemetery, with the Rev. Byron K. Krapf (Retired United Methodist Minister) officiating. Military rites will be accorded at the Cemetery. There will be no visitation.
The family has requested that contributions may be made to either the Salvation Army, 457 Market St., Williamsport, PA 17701 or to the Beech Valley United Methodist Church, 2937 State Rte. 973E, Cogan Station, PA 17728.
Arrangements are by Spitler Funeral Home, Montoursville.
James Curtis McClain
James Curtis McClain, 86, of 5574 Rt. 442 Highway, Muncy, died Thursday, March 29, 2012 at his home.
Born August 4, 1925 in Mill Hall, he was a son of the late H. Curtis and Martha (Opp) McClain. On June 17, 1950 he married the former Barbara Kahler. She preceded him in death on June 5, 2005 after 54 years of marriage.
James was a graduate of Lock Haven High School and a veteran of the Army Air Corps. Following his discharge from the military he attended and graduated from Penn State University where he studied in the Pre Veterinarian program. James was a lifelong farmer but also was employed for more than 20 years by the PA Department of Environmental Resources. After retirement, James became proficient at building custom furniture and ornamental iron work.
He was a member of the Muncy Lodge 299 F& AM. James enjoyed reading and was an avid Penn State fan. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Karen McClain of Spotsylvania, VA; one daughter and son-in-law, Kaye and Larry Albright of Hudson, OH; one sister, Mary Ellen Hollobaugh of Edinboro; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 6, at Grenoble’s, 121 S. Main St., Muncy. Interment will be held privately in Muncy Cemetery.
The family will provide the flowers, and suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association,online at http://donate.americanheart.org or by mail to American Heart Association, PO Box 15120, Chicago, IL 60693. Contribution form to be mailed with donation can be found online at http://donate.americanheart.org.
Robert Gilmore Kiess
Robert Gilmore Kiess, 89, of 510 S. Main St., Muncy, died Monday, March 26, 2012 at the Muncy Valley Hospital.
Born April 22, 1922 in Philadelphia, he was the son of Clyde Gorr and Grace Mildred (Lemon) Kiess. His wife, the former Francine Pealer, died Sept. 20, 1976.
Bob was a 1940 graduate of Muncy High School and also received a degree from the University of Minnesota.
Following his military service during World War II as a glider pilot with the U.S. Army Air Corps, he worked with his father as Vice President at their family business, Hughesville Machine & Tool. He later returned to active duty in the Army 1st A Cavalry and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Bob was the recipient of the Distinquished Flying Cross as a result of flying over 600 missions in hostile territory over the Ia drang Valley, Vietnam. Late in his Army career he worked with the Force Command at the Fulton County, Atlanta, airport, and retired after 35 years of service to his country.
Bob was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, Muncy, where he served as an acolyte in his youth. He was also a member of Muncy Lodge 299 F&AM and a 60-year member of the Williamsport Consistory. In addition he maintained memberships with the Edward J. Smith Post 3428 V.F.W., Muncy, and the Muncy Valley Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 866.
Surviving are three sons, Robert G. Kiess II of Douglasville, GA, Clyde G. Kiess of Kennesaw, GA, and John G. Kiess of Montoursville; one daughter, Robin G. Kiess of Williamsport; two sisters, Grace Pfleegor of Muncy and Molly Young and husband Skip of State College; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife and parents he was predeceased by two sisters, Cynthia Thompson and Joan Schoch; and one grandson, Billy Kiess.
The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 30, at St. James Episcopal Church, 215 S. Main St., Muncy. Officiating will be his pastor, Rev. David Culbertson. Burial with full military honors will follow in Muncy Cemetery.
Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Grenoble’s, 121 S. Main St., Muncy, where a Masonic service will be held at 8:45 p.m.
The family will provide the flowers and suggests memorial contributions be made to St. James Episcopal Church, P. O. Box 95, 215 S. Main St., Muncy.
