Obituaries by LocationCordella S. Kohberger
Cordella S. Kohberger, 56, of Lake Road, Rose Valley, died Saturday, June 10, 2000, at the home of her mother, 927 Diamond St. She and her husband, Richard E. Kohberger, would have observed their 35th wedding anniversary July 30. She was employed by Tetley Tea for 35 years. She was a charter member of the Williamsport Assembly of God and a member of the Rose Valley United Methodist Church, where she served as financial secretary. She was a member of the Jean Ribauet Chapter, Hueguenot Society of Central Pennsylvania. She was a life member of the National Rifle Association. She graduated from Williamsport High School in 1961. She attended the former Lock State College and took several courses at the former Williamsport Area Community College. Born, June 28, 1943, in this city, she was a daughter of city patrolman Clyde N. and Doris Henry Felix Kimble. She was the stepdaughter of Lynald R. Kimble. Surviving, beside her husband and her mother, are two stepchildren, Richard E. of Loganton, and Kelly in Georgia, and three stepgrandchildren. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Sanders’ 821 Diamond St., with the Rev. Sandi Foster, her pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Montoursville Cemetery. Frienda may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Esther A. Root
Esther A. Root, 62, of Mansfield died Saturday, June 11, 2000, in Soldiers & Sailors Hospital, Wellsboro. She was a member of the Canon Camp VFW Auxiliary. Born on February 8, 1938, in Blossburg, she was a daughter of Frederick and Lucie Crawford Tongue. Surviving are four sons, Roger Marble in New York, Steven Marble in North Carolina, Oliver Marble of Wellsboro, and Quincey Root of Blossburg; three daughters, Catherine Vincent, Mary Wimbrough, and Floral Root, all of Mansfield; two stepchildren, Michael Root in Georgia, and Georgia Ward of this city; two sisters, Elizabeth Cummings of Tioga, and Marsha Rarick of Roseville; 22 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald, and a grandson, Matthew. The funeral will be at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Wilston’s 18 North Main St., Mansfield. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Tioga. Friends may call Wednesday from 6 p.m. until the time of the funeral. Family will provide the flowers.
Jessie L. Soars
LEWISBURG- Jessie L. Soars, 91, formerly of Danville, died Friday, June 9, 2000 at RiverWoods. She worked in the chemistry department of Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, for 44 years before retiring in 1974. She was a former Girl Scout leader. She was a member of the Danville Garden Club, the Linn Conservancy and the Seven Mountains Chapter of the Audobon Society. She was a member of First Baptist Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher. A Muncy High School graduate, she was a 1930 graduate of Bucknell. Born, Aug. 23, 1908, in Muncy, she was a daughter of Wilder Beers and Maddie Derr Soars. Surviving are, a sister, Janet M. Soars of New Columbia; two nephews, Paul and Larry Platt of New Columbia, and three nieces, Margaret “Peggy” Myers of Spring Mills, Martha Rogers of Martinez, Calif., and Janet Roberts of Bradenton. She was predeceased by two sisters, Leota Soars Finney and Margaret Soars Sedam, and a brother, Larry F. Soars. Burial will be in Muncy Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are being handled by Cronrath’s, South Second and St. Louis Streets.
Donald R. Aldrich
Donald R. Aldrich, 71, of Mansfield died Monday, June 12, 2000, in Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital, Wellsboro. He and his wife, the former Joyce D. Losinger, were married 45 years. He was employed by Corning Inc. for more than 50 years. A Korean War veteran of the Army, he served in Germany and was a member of Herbert Lee Webster Post 235, American Legion, Tioga. He enjoyed traveling and gardening. Born May 16, 1929, in Van Vleet, N.Y., he was a son of Augustus and Mabel Mocumber Aldrich. Surviving, besides his wife, are a daughter, Cara Sue Dykstra of Arnot; and two sisters, Florence Walch of Corning, N.Y. and Arlowene Hall of Cameron Mills, N.Y. Private services will be at the convenience of the family, with the Rev. Dr. John Whitfield, officiating. Burial will be in Tioga County Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are being handled by Scureman’s, 130 S. Main St., Mansfiled.
Howard T. Bassett
Howard T. Bassett, 80, of 45 Back St., Loyalsockville, died Saturday, June 10, 2000, in Valley View Nursing Center. He was the widower of the former Grace L. Haas. He was retired from the Pennsylvania Railroad and had worked at Grummond Allied. He was a member of North American Hunting Club. He played guitar at Ivy’s Tavern, Rauchtown Inn and Muncy American Legion. An Army veteran of World War II, he was a member of Eugene Grafius Post 104, American Legion. He was a member of Garden View Church of Christ. Born April 9, 1920, in this city, he was a son of William and Lulu Jones Bassett. Surviving are a daughter, Emma Galvan of Burlington, Wis.; a stepdaughter, Mary Margaret “Peggy” Johns of this city; a sister, Luella Ulmer of this city; a grandson, five step-grandchildren, a great-grandson, 13 step-great-grandchildren and two step-great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Eleanor Kilgus. A memorial service will be scheduled. Arrangements are being handled by Sanders’, 821 Diamond St.
Walter S. Darrin
Walter S. “Corky” Darrin, 87, of 164 Susquehanna Ave., South Renovo, died Monday, June 12, 2000, in Bucktail Medical Center, South Renovo. His wife, the former Wilda Burrows, died Jan. 23, 1995. He was a retired blacksmith for the Pennsylvania Railroad. He was a member of 495 F&AM,. Renovo Lodge; the Scottish Rite, Coudersport; Elks Lodge 344, Renovo, and American Legion Post 442, Renovo. He was a World War II Navy veteran. He was a member of First Methodist Church, Renovo. He was a graduate of Renovo High School. He enjoyed outdoor activities. Born Aug. 27, 1912, in Sinnemahoning, he was a son of George and Bessie Krebbs Darrin. Surviving are two daughters, Carol Heberlein of Erie and Sally Cozzi of South Renovo; two brothers, Chester of Renovo and Milton of Lewisville, Texas; four grandchildren and a great-grandson. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Lillian Milligan, Martha Boyer and Margaret Irwin, and three brothers, John, George and Bill. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in the church, Seventh Street, Renovo, with his pastor, the Rev. Robert C. Trego, officiating. Burial will be in North Bend Cemetery, North Bend, with military honors accorded by combined veterans organizations. Friends may call at Maxwell’s, 205 Fifth St., Renovo, from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, with a masonic service at 7, and in the church from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday.
Clarabel Decker
A graveside service will be June 20 for Clarabel Decker, 77, of 300 Leader Drive, who died Thursday, June 8, 2000, at ManorCare North. The service will be at 10 a.m. in Jersey Shore Cemetery, with the Rev. Thomas H. Jacobs, pastor of Pine Street United Methodist Church, officiating. A memorial Mass will be at 7 a.m. July 6, in St. Boniface Catholic Church, 326 Washington Blvd., Arrangements are being handled by Maneval’s, 500 W. Fourth St.
Joseph P. DeFonzo
Joseph P. DeFonzo, 73, of Silver Spring, Md., a native of Jersey Shore, died Thursday, June 1, 2000, in Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Spring. He and his wife, the former Zoe Vouzikas, observed their 28th wedding anniversary Jan. 1. He retired in 1987 from the Agency for International Development in the United States State Department, Washington, D.C., after 40 years. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a 1945 graduate of Jersey Shore High School. Born Aug. 23, 1926, in Jersey Shore, he was a son of Benedict and Angeline Sabatella DeFonzo. Surviving, besides his wife, are three brothers, Frank of Loyalsock, Anthony of Norwich, N.Y. and Ben of Island Heights, N.J.; two sisters, Alesandra “Elizabeth” Fowler of Des Plaines, Ill. and Caroline “Bess” Bamonta of Mattydale, N.Y.; two nieces; and eight nephews. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated June 7, in St. Andrew Apostle Catholic Church, Silver Spring, with the Rev. David W. Beaubren, officiating. Burial was in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Washington, D.C. Arrangements were handled by Hines-Rinaldi, Silver Spring.
Lewis J. Geyer
Lewis J. Geyer, 70, of Susque-View Home, formerly of Draketown, died Sunday, June 11, 2000, in Lock Haven Hospital. He retired in 1992 from Texas Restaurant, Lock Haven. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in Battery C, 140th Field Artillery Battalion. He loved music, epically accordion and steel guitar. Born Jan. 15, 1930, in Draketown, he was a son of Lewis A. and Annie Gearty Geyer. Surviving are six brothers, Walter M. and Doyle D., both of Mill Hall, Theodore A. and Milton E., both of Mill Hall RR 2, Gordon D. of Draketown and Lee D. of Beech Creek. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Clifford G. and Conrad and a sister, Vera Confer. The funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Wetzler’s, 320 Main St., Mill Hall, with the Rev. Viola Tyson, chaplain of Susque-View, officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park, Lock Haven. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 tonight.
Glenn B. Kelso
JERSEY SHORE - Glenn B. “Pap” Kelso, 78, of this borough died Sunday, June 11, 2000, at home.
He and his wife, the former Madeline Adams Kelso, observed their 45th wedding anniversary April 9.
A professional driver and teamster, he was retired from Lucas Trucking.
He was a member of United Methodist Church.
Born Oct. 12, 1921, in Dublin Mills, he was a son of George Turrence and Carrie Sheffield Kelso.
Surviving, besides his wife, are a son Craig of Harrisburg; three daughters, Sherrie of Deep Creek, Md., Dorothy Cunningham of Avis and Sallie of Jersey Shore; a sister, Charlotte Cordell of Pond Bank; five grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Eugene, and three sisters, Vada Chilcote, Marjorie Shaw and Dotti Rouzer.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, in the church, Main Street.
There will be no visitation. The family will provide the flowers.
Arrangements are being handled by Rearick-Carpenter’s, 1002 Allegheny St.
Justin Ray Martin, Drowning Victim
RENOVO - A memorial service will be Friday for Justin Ray Martin, 15, of 129 Pennsylvania Ave., who drowned Sunday, June 11, 2000, in the Susquehanna River. He was a ninth-grade student at Bucktail High School Alternative School. He was a member of Community Christian Church. He enjoyed rollerblading, bike riding, fishing and mechanical building. Born Aug. 20, 1984, he was a son of Bobby Ray and Donna Mae Kline Martin. Surviving, besides his parents of Renovo, are two brothers, Archie and Matthew, both of Renovo; two sisters, Melody Hertzog and Ivalomae, both of Renovo; maternal grandparents, Kenneth and Ivalomae Klinefelter of Renovo; paternal grandparents, Paul and Elsie Toler of Charleston, W. Va.; and several aunts and uncles. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Friday in the church, South Renovo, with the Rev. Kenneth Klinefelter, officiating. Friends may call in the church from noon to 1 p.m. Friday. Arrangements are being handled by Maxwell’s, 205 Fifth St.
Beverly A. Persun
Beverly A. Persun, 61, of 2575 Lycoming Creek Road died Thursday, June 8, 2000, in the Williamsport Hospital. Born April 16, 1939, in Barbours, she was a daughter of Dick and Marie Gertrude Baker Foulkrod. Surviving are her father of Williamsport; a son, Randall Smith of this city; two daughters, Deanna Davis in North Carolina and April Young; two brothers, Harry and Charles Foulkrod, both of this city; one sister, Barbara Porter of this city; three grandchildren. Funeral and burial will be at the convenience of the family in the Barbours Cemetery. There will be no visitation. The family will provide the flowers. Arrangements are being handled by Knight-Confer’s, 1914 Memorial Ave.
Mildred Bailey MaKinster
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Trinity Episcopal Church, Antrim, for Mildred Bailey MaKinster of Antrim. A reception will follow at Antrim House, South Street.
Arleen E. Spaeth
Arleen E. Spaeth, 83, of 3003 Highway 654, Williamsport, died Monday, June 12, 2000, in Williamsport Hospital. She was retired from the former GTE Sylvania Co., Montoursville, and was a member of the company’s Quarter Century Club. She enjoyed fishing. Born Feb. 10, 1917, in Covington Township, Tioga County, she was a daughter of Harry and Bertha Doud. She was predeceased by her husband, Clarence J. Spaeth Sr., and a sister, Madeline Cole. Surviving are a son, Clarence J. Jr. of this city; a sister, Corine Moyer also of this city; three grandchildren, Richard and Michael Spaeth both of South Williamsport; and Donna LaForme of Montgomery; six great-grandchildren. A private funeral service will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Twin Hills Memorial Park. The family will provide the flowers. Arrangements are being handle by Knight- Confer’s, 1914 Memorial Avenue.
