Obituaries by LocationWilliam Paul Richey
William Paul Richey, 63, a Williamsport native who lived in Florida for the last eight months, died Wednesday, May 31, 2000 in Colorado Springs, Colo. He and his wife, the former Martha L. Hawbaker, observed their 12th wedding anniversary Feb. 20. He was emplyed as a houseparent at Milton Hershey School and was formerly a lumber inspector. He was one of the first participants in organized Little League Baseball. Born March 20, 1937, in this city, he was a son of Clyde E. and Ruth E. Schleh Richey. Surving, besides his wife, are a sister, Linda R. Hoover, Jersey Shore; two brothers, Rev. Clyde of Cape Coral, Fla., and Gary W.; a son, William P., and a daughter, Marilyn Brandt, both of Palmyra; two stepsons, Steven of Lakewood, Calif., and Mark of Appleton Wis.; a stepdaughter, Susan Engbrecht; and five grandchildren. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Garretts’, 303 N. Washington, Titusville. A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Mt. Calvary Church, Elizabethtown. Burial will be in Cochranton Cemetery, Cochranton. Friends may call at the funeral home from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday. The family will provide the flowers. Arrangements are being handled by Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, Colo.
Pauline V. Trowbridge
SABINSVILLE - Pauline V. Trowbridge, 85, of Sabinsville RR 1, died Friday, June 2, 2000, at home. Her husband, Robert, died in 1992. A homemaker, she also served as Clymer Township secretary for more than 30 years. She and her husband were lifelong farmers and members of the Sabinsville Grange. Born May 7, 1915, in Clymer Township, she was a daughter of Joseph and Lillian King Short. Surviving are a son, Virgle of Sabinsville; a daughter, Virginia Beaver of Watsontown; two sisters, June Reynolds and Ilene Moshier, both of Little Marsh; two grandsons and four great- grandchildren. She also was preceeded in death by several brothers and a sister. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Kenyon’s, 222 W. Main St., Westfield, with the Rev. Roy Seiders officiating. Burial will be in Ackley Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday.
Doris M. Warren
CANTON – Doris M. Warren, of this borough, died Friday, June 2, 2000, at Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre. She would have marked her 92nd birthday on Saturday. She and her husband, Leslie L. Warren, who died in 1974, had been married for 48 years. Warren managed the Canton High School cafeteria for several years during the 1960s and served school board suppers. A 1926 graduate of Canton High School, she was a choir member of the Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ) here. She was a 55-year member of the Minnequa Grange here. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, reading and gardening. Her faith was paramount importance in her life and she loved to sing. Born here, she was a daughter of Earl and F. Rachael VanSyckle Furman. Surviving are two sons, Philip Martin of this borough and David Lee of Big Flats; a daughter, Ruth Ellen Ward of this borough; seven grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and 12 great-great grandchildren. She also was preceded in death by a son, Richard Earl; a brother, Allan Furman, and a sister, Mildred Greening. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 12, at the church, 40 N. Minnequa Ave., with her pastor, the Rev. David B. Morris and Canton Ecumenical Parish pastor, Nancy Lee Goff, officiating. Interment will follow in Park Cemetery. There will be no visitation. The family will provide the flowers. Arrangements are being handled by Morse & Kleese’s, 40 N. Center St.
Clymer E. Bitner
Clymer “Spud” E. Bitner, 70, of 2121 Linn St. died Friday, June 2, 2000, at home. He was an auto mechanic for the former Poole’s Sunoco, South Williamsport, and served in the Navy. He enjoyed the outdoors. Born April 10, 1930, in this city, he was a son of Nevio L. and Bertha Jacoby Bitner. Surviving, besides his wife, the former Anna Nestad, are three sons, Kenneth, Danny and Ronald Bitner, all of Pasadena, Md.; four daughters, Judy Kuhns of Montoursville, Kathy Treese of Pasadena, Md., Tammy Bressler of Proctor and Colleen Bitner of this city; two sisters, Eleanor Worthington of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and Enola Corter of this city; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Donald L. Treese III. The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Friday in New Covenant United Church of Christ, 202 East Third St. with the Rev. Bruce R. Druckenmiller officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Maneval’s, 500 West Fourth St.
Stephen D. Flinn
Stephen D. Flinn, 70, of 5720 Route 87 Highway, Montoursville, died Saturday, June 3, 2000, in the Williamsport Hospital emergency room. Arrangements are being handled by Crouse’s, 133 E. Third St.
Raj I. Garg
Raj I. Garg, 75, of 1934 Walter’s Road Montoursville, died Saturday, June 3, 2000, in Williamsport Hospital. He and his wife, the former Margaret Green, observed their 48th wedding anniversary February 14. Born February 5, 1925, he was a son of Gita Ram and Bhag Vat Devei Garg. Surviving, besides his wife, are three sons, David Garg of Loyalsock, Vicram and Malcolm Garg of Fairfax Va; a daughter, Joan Garg of Brockville, Md; and five grandchildren. The funeral will be private at the convienance of the family. The family will provide the flowers. Arrangements are being handled by Kaufman’s, 2101 Northway Road.
Hazel Marie Horne
Hazel Marie Horne, 83, of 2426 Waldman Drive died Friday, June 2, 2000, at Sycamore Manor. Her husband, Gilbert C. Horne, died April 17, 1997. She was employed as a registered nurse in Harrisburg and Santa Barbara Ca. She was a graduate of Sharon Hospital Nursing School, Sharon, Pa. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and Kappa Alba Nursing Association in Santa Barbara. Born May 4, 1917, she was a daughter of Ralph W. and Mary Jane George Altman. Surviving are two sons, Ralph A. of this city and Thomas Charles of Carpenteria Calif.; a daughter, Maryanne Elizabeth Horne of San Jose Calif.; and two grandaughters. She was preceded in death by a brother, Amos Altman. There will be a graveside service in Goleta Cemetery, Santa Barbara. Arrangements are being handled by Sander’s, 821 Diamond St., Williamsport.
Ronald N. Yost
Ronald N. “Ron” Yost, 50, of 817 North Fourth St., Sunbury, died Sunday, June 4, 2000, at home following an illness of the past five months. He was a Muncy native. He was married to the former Susan A. Haas. He was a truck driver and was employed for the past three years by Larry Hackneberg of Winfield. He was 1968 graduate of Hughesville High School, where he was a football player and was a member of the wrestling squad. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the 82nd Army Airborne. He was a member of Northumberland Fire Co. No. 1, Northumberland. He enjoyed hunting and was an avid motorcyclist.
Born May 15, 1950, he was a son of William Yost and Shirley Steinruch. Surviving, besides his wife and father, are his stepmother, Donna Yost of Milton; three daughters, Crystal A. and Lea C. Yost of Sunbury and Christina Leuders of Renfrew, Ontario, Canada a brother, Jeff Yost of Morris Run; Aunt and Uncle, Dr. George and Virginia Callenberger, and three grandchildren. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Epler’s, Second and King Streets, Northumberland, with Pastor Jane Stahl Lentz officiating. Burial will be in McEwensville Presbyterian Cemetery, McEwensville. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Clymer E. Bitner
Clymer “Spud” E. Bitner, 70, of 2121 Linn St. died Friday, June 2, 2000, at home. He was an auto mechanic for the former Poole’s Sunoco, South Williamsport, and served in the Navy. He enjoyed the outdoors. Born April 10, 1930, in this city, he was a son of Nevin L. and Bertha Jacoby Bitner. Surviving, besides his wife, the former Anna Nestad, are three sons, Kenneth, Danny and Ronald Bitner, all of Pasadena, Md.; four daughters, Judy Kuhns of Montoursville, Kathy Treese of Pasadena, Md., Tammy Bressler of Proctor and Colleen Bitner of this city; two sisters, Eleanor Worthington of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and Enola Corter of this city; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Donald L. Treese II. A memorial service be at 3 p.m. Friday in New Covenant United Church of Christ, 202 East Third St. with the Rev. Bruce R. Druckenmiller officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Maneval’s, 500 West Fourth St.
Edward J. Cillo Jr.
Edward J. “Skip” Cillo Jr., 64, of 149 Ruben Kehrer Road, Muncy Township, died Sunday, June 4, 2000, in Williamsport Hospital, where he was taken after being stricken at home. He and his wife, the former mary Jo Stopper, observed their 40th wedding anniversary Nov. 14. He retired from the former GTE Sylvania on Reach Road in 1993 and had been a consultant for Primus Technologies. He was a volunteer at Divine Providence Hospital. He was an avid fisherman and Penn State Football fan. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Montoursville. Born Nov. 20, 1935, he was a son of Edward J. and Isadore E. Fox Cillo. Surviving, besides his wife, are a daughter, Cindy J. Dowling of Cogan Station; a son Curtis J. of Fairfax, Va.; a sister, Nancy L. Gehret of Montoursville; and a grandson, Sydney J. Dowling. He was preceded in death by a son, Keith, in 1999. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the church, 100 Walnut St., Montoursville, with the Rev. Thomas P. Shoback, officiating. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. There will be no visitation. The family will provide the flowers. Arrangements are being handled by Spitler’s, 733 Broad St., Montoursville.
Fay E. Coffelt
Fay E. Coffelt, 32, of 651 Snyder Road, Cogan Station, died Friday, June 2, 2000, in Giesenger Medical Center, Danville, following a brief illness. She and her husband, John F. Coffelt, would have observed their third wedding anniversary June 8. She was employed at Wal-Mart in Montoursville for seven years. She was a 1986 graduate of the Williamsport Christian School, where she was elected homecoming queen and valedictorian in her senior year. She graduated from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va., with a bachelor of science degree in business. Born December 19, 1967, in Aberdeen, Md., she was a daughter of William C. and Fay E. Ireland Craver Jr. Surviving, besides her parents and her husband, are twin brothers, James Edward Craver of Cogan Station and John Lee Craver of Montgomery; two sisters, Mary Joan Hill and Amanda Marie Craver, both of Cogan Station. The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Knight-Confer’s, 1914 Memorial Ave., with the Rev. Thomas H. Jacobs, pastor of Pine Street United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Montoursville cemetary. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Mildred M. Cotner
WATSONTOWN - Mildred M. Cotner, 76, of 1105 Main St. died Monday, June 5, 2000, in Sunbury Community Hospital, where she had been a patient since May 10. She was a former resident of Turbotville and Northumberland. She had been employed by the former Philco-Ford Co., Watsontown, and the former Weldon’s, Muncy. She was a member of the Muffly-Huff Post 8260, Veterans of Foreign Wars ladies auxiliary and the women’s group of the Loyal Order of the Moose, Northumberland. Born June 23, 1923, in Franklin Township, Lycoming County, she was a daughter of Chester H. and Lillie A. Gardner Smith. Surviving are a son, Chester Rupert of Canyon, Texas; five brothers, Howard B. Smith of Watsontown, Lawrence D. Smith of Montoursville, Sylvester D. Smith of Wilmington, Del., Grant L. Smith of Hughesville and Charles B. Smith of South Williamsport; a sister, Irene L. Stiger of Millville; and a grandson. She was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond E. Smith and two sisters, Beulah L. Crist and Stella G. Oplinger. The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, at Brooks’, 207 Broadway St., Turbotville, with the Rev. Charla M. Grieves, of St. James Lutheran Church, Turbotville, officiating. Burial will be in Muncy Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, where a VFW auxiliary memorial service will also be held.
Jerome E. Decker
LOCK HAVEN - Jerome E. “Bud” Decker, 77, of 906 W. Third St., died Sunday, June 4, 2000, in Lock Haven Hospital. He was a car salesman for local area car dealers. He was a former Lock Haven City councilman. He was a member of the Lock Haven Elks. He was a 1940 graduate of Lock Haven High School and attended the former Williamsport Area Community College. Born Aug. 9, 1922, in Lock Haven, he was a son of Clarence and Maude Bodle Decker. Surviving are his wife, the former June A. Thomas; three sons, Thomas M. of Bloomsburg, Robert B. of Columbia, Md. and Craig B. of Lock Haven; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Jerome E. Jr. and a daughter, Cindy Lee. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. There will be no visitation Arrangements are being handled by Walker’s, 231 High St., Flemington
Stephen D. Flinn
A memorial service will be Saturday for Stephen D. Flinn, 70, of 5720 Route 87 Highway, Plunketts Creek Township, who died Saturday, June 3, 2000, in the Williamsport Hospital emergency room. He and his wife, the former Betsy E. Hoagland, observed their 14th wedding anniversary May 24. He retired from Annapolis Capital Newspaper in 1996. He was a professional pianist and had recently played at the Annapolis Yacht Club. He was a Marine Corps. veteran of the Korean War and a member of the Korean Veterans of Lycoming County. He was a graduate of Georgetown Prep and a 1956 graduate of Villanova University with a bachelor of science in economics. Born May 3, 1930, in Washington, D.C., he was a son of Burke and Grace Depatie Flinn. Surviving, besides his wife, are a son, S. Douglas of Deerfield Beach, Fla.; three daughters, Lauren Potter of Johnson, N.Y., Claire Schwartz of Downsville, N.Y. and Julie Butcher of Jupiter, Fla.; and 11 grandchildren. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. at Crouse’s, 133 E. Third St., with the Rev. Michael McCormick officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, St. Albans, Vt., with military honors accorded by the Koren War Veterans of Lycoming County. There will be no visitation.
Elwood G. Galentine
MILL HALL - Elwood G. Galentine, 70, of 67 Eisenhower Crossing Road, died Monday, June 5, 2000, in Lock Haven Hospital. He and his wife, the former Mavis Whalley, observed their 41st wedding anniversary May 9. He was a machine polisher at Avco, retiring in 1980. He was a member of Local 787, United Auto Workers union. He enjoyed woodworking and flowers. Born Sept. 25, 1925, in Luthersburg, he was a son of Harry and Myrtle Glossner Galentine. Surviving, besides his wife, are two daughters, Lorraine Huey of New Philadelphia, Ohio and Melody Geyer of Lamar; two sons, Elwood H. of Irwin and Alan of Lock Haven; a sister, Pauline Woodley of McDonald, Ohio; a brother, Franklin of Jacksonville, Fla.; and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Edwina; two sisters, Marjorie Arrwood and Thelma Dixon; and a grandchild. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Wetzler’s, 320 Main St., with Capt. Daniel E. Hilty officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Mill Hall. Friends may call at the funeral home from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Ernest L. Kimball, Advocate for the Elderly
A private funeral was held today for Ernest L. Kimball, 86, of 1971 Warrensville Road, who died Friday, June 2, 2000, at Valley View Nursing Home, where he had lived for two months. He and his wife, the former Dorris Carpenter, observed their 58th wedding anniversary Oct. 8. He had been employed at the former GTE Sylvania plant, Halls Station, as a quality-control manager before retiring in 1975. After his retirement, he began tax preparation for senior citizens in his home and his business expanded so much that, by 1980, he established office space in a local church and sought volunteers. Kimball was a staunch advocate for the elderly who launched volunteer programs for senior citizens at Williamsport Hospital. His slogan was “Tomorrow is better than today, and today is pretty good.” “He was a teacher, he was an organizer and he was a real asset to our seniors,” said Kirby Smith, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Susquehanna Health System. “He built a program that will continue to live.” He also worked with Wendall Taggart to start volunteer programs for seniors at Muncy Valley Hospital. He provided momentum for the opening of a Senior Information Center at Williamsport Hospital in 1989. He coordinated solicitation of volunteers, and training sessions for Department of Aging and American Association of Retired Persons programs and implementation of the services. In fact, he founded the local chapter of AARP. He also organized speakers to come to talk with seniors and helped start the local 55 Alive program, which focuses on teaching safe driving practices to the elderly. In 1999, he was nominated and judged a finalist for the Governor’s Silver and Gold Awards. He was a member of AARP, and Roman Lodge 223, F&AM, and Elks Lodge 96, both in Rome, N.Y. An Army veteran of World War II, he was a member of Eugene Grafius Post 104, American Legion, Montoursville. He was a member of Church of Our Saviour, Montoursville. Born Aug. 11, 1913, in Rome, he was a son of Weslie D. and Elizabeth Smith Kimball. Surviving, besides his wife, are a son, Alan W. of Pasadena, Texas; a daughter Karen K. Horn of this city; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. A private funeral was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. today at Spitler’s, 733 Broad St., Montoursville. Burial was set for Twin Hills Memorial Park, Muncy RR 2.
