Obituaries by LocationLeland Kneller
Sept. 12, 2002
Leland Carl "Todd" Kneller, 73, of the Colonial Terrace, Towanda, PA, formerly of West Burlington, passed away
on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002 at the Bradford County Manor, West Burlington.
Born Oct. 13, 1928 in Towanda, he was a son of the late Robert and Leah Kishbaugh Kneller. Leland was a graduate of Towanda High School, Class of 1946. On June 20, 1951, he marriage the former Florence Mason in Myersburg. Leland was a lifetime dairy farmer in West Burlington and also delivered sawdust to numerous area farmers.
Leland was a member of the West Burlington United Methodist Church, Union Grange No. 155, Towanda Area Senior Citizens, Athens Senior Citizens and was also a member of the Burlington-West Burlington Halloween parade committee. He enjoyed hunting and attending school events of his children and grandchildren.
Surviving are his wife of 45 years, Florence Mason Kneller, at home; daughters and sons-in-law, Cinda and William Arnold, Monroeton, Martha and James Howie, Flat Rock, NC, Melva and Jeffrey Smith, New Cumberland, Sonya and Donald McKinery of Eugene, OR; a son, Silas Kneller, Troy RR3; 10 grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law, Madeline and Kenneth King, Myersburg, Louise and Paul Hitchcock, Myersburg, Delores and Lewis Hitchcock, Malvern; a sister-in-law, Connie Kneller of San Angelo, TX; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by a son, Lysander Curtis Kneller in August of 1956; brothers, John and Glenn Kneller.
The family received friends on Monday, Sept. 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home, 217 York Ave., Towanda.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Alison Grove, pastor of the West Burlington United Methodist Church, officiating.
Interment was in Bradford County Memorial Park, Luthers Mills.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the West Burlington United Methodist Church, in care of Karen Schill, PO Box 44, Burlington, PA 18814 in Leland C. Kneller’s memory.
Pamela Goff
Sept. 10, 2002
Pamela J. Goff, 46, of Brookdale, PA, died Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002 at Mid Valley Hospital in Peckville. Born March 6, 1956, she was the daughter of the late Arthur E., Jr. and Retha (Johnson) Goff.
A 1974 graduate of Elk Lake High School, she operated the former Fun and Games Bubble Bank at Lake Montrose Mall. Her hobbies include crocheting and making candy.
Survivors include a daughter and friend, Aretha M. Pickering and Justin Birtch of Montrose; grandson, Justin Birtch; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sheila and George Bishop, Auburn, Terry and Gary Sterling, South Montrose, Trudy and Jack Baker, Dimock; five nieces; three nephews, great nieces and nephews; aunt and uncles.
Services were held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Bartron Funeral Home, Inc., a Selected Independent funeral home, 74 Church St., Montrose.
If desired, the family suggests that memorial contributions in Pam’s memory may be sent to Peoples National Bank, PO Box 335, Montrose, PA 18801.
Roger Gilbert
Sept. 12, 2002
Roger E. Gilbert, age 77, of Estella, Elkland Township (Forksville RR1), PA, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002 at his home.
He was born on June 25, 1925 in Elmira, NY, a son of the late Earl and Mildred Nichols Gilbert.
Mr. Gilbert was a veteran of the United States Army, having served during World War II.
He attended the Estella Methodist Church and was a member of the VFW Post No. 384 of Overton.
Prior to his retirement, Roger was a self-employed carpenter.
He left surviving, his wife, Geraldine Brown Gilbert, at home; three sons and daughters-in-law, William Roger and Karin Gilbert, LeRoy, John Earl Gilbert of New Albany, Robert Hugh and Linda Gilbert of Forksville; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Audry and Reva Gilbert, Florida, Joseph and Rita Gilbert, Forksville; four sisters, Mrs. June Boyles of Knoxville, Mrs. Nellie Smith of New York, Ella and Ronald Heinse of Forksville, Gloria Leslie of Nebraska; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Leslie Gilbert and Norma Boeker.
At Roger’s request, the funeral services will be private and be held at the convenience of the family in the Russell P. McHenry Funeral Home, 119 Carpenter St., Dushore, with the Rev. James Donahoo, pastor, officiating.
Interment will be in Forksville Cemetery .
In lieu of floral donations, the family suggests that donations be made to the Guthrie Hospice or to the Sullivan County Chapter of the American Cancer Society in Mr. Gilbert’s memory.
Lillian Callahan
Sept. 9, 2002
Lillian A. Callahan (nee Steele), age 70, of Tonawanda, NY, entered into rest on Monday, Sept. 9, 2002 at home surrounded by her family.
Mrs. Callahan was born in Wyalusing, PA on Feb. 13, 1932, a daughter of the late Clarence and Mary (nee Brown) Steele and was the wife of the late George I. Callahan, who passed away in 1991.
She was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1954 and previously worked for Gardei, Inc., located in North Tonawanda.
She was the beloved mother of Mark Sakellaris and James Callahan, both of North Tonawanda, Donna "Opie" Callahan of Kenmore and Timothy and his wife, Virginia Callahan of Amherst; grandmother of Jared, Liam, Aiden and Scott and sister of Joanne Sanders of Florida.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, Sept. 13 at St. Christopher’s Roman Catholic Church, 2660 Niagara Falls Blvd., Tonawanda, at 11:30 a.m.
Memorials in her name may be made to Hospice Foundation, 225 Como Park Blvd., Buffalo, NY 14227.
Arrangements were made through the Hilliard-Creasey Funeral Home, Inc., Tonawanda.
Rita Tremper
Sept. 5, 2002
Rita Sandor Tremper, 85, of River St., Forty Fort, PA, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002 at home. She was formerly from Paterson, NJ.
Born on Dec. 27, 1916 in Wyalusing, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Raphaella Darkle Sandor.
She was a member of the Holy Name/St. Mary’s Church in Swoyersville.
Survivors include a brother, Phillip, Camptown; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by sisters, Genevieve McNamara and Mary Urban; brothers, George, Patrick, Ralph, Patrick, Joseph, John, Michael and George.
A memorial mass was held on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. at Holy Name/St. Mary’s Church in Swoyersville. Interment was in the West Pittston Cemetery .
Arrangements were made by the Bednarski Funeral Home, 168 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming.
Angela Sharon
Sept. 9, 2002
Angela Marie Sharon, 23, of Mount Dora, FL, formerly of RR2, Friendsville, PA, died on Monday, Sept. 9, 2002 in Florida as a result of an automobile accident. Born on May 3, 1979 in Tunkhannock, she was the daughter of Leonard R. and Dawn (Jones) Sharon of RR2, Friendsville.
A 1997 graduate of Elk Lake High School, she was a Correctional Officer for the Lake Correction Institute.
She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Irish Hill and enjoyed sports, especially basketball.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by a brother, Michael E. Sharon, at home; a special friend, Daric of Mount Dora, FL; maternal grandmother, Christine Jones, RR2, Friendsville; paternal grandfather, Leonard E. Sharon of Pringle; many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Bartron Funeral Home, Inc., a Selected Independent Funeral Home, 74 Church St., Montrose, continuing with an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Irish Hill. The family will receive friends on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Lorraine Magyar
Sept. 7, 2002
Lorraine Opal Strickland Magyar, 64, formerly of Jennings Road, Herrick Township, PA, passed away on Saturday morning, Sept. 7, 2002 at Towanda Memorial Hospital. Lorraine had been a resident of The Highlands in Laporte for the past three years.
Born Jan. 2, 1938 at Mt. Vernon, WA, she was a daughter of the late Ernest and Carrie Cooley Strickland. Lorraine was a loving devoted mother and grandmother. Her life encompassed her family and home. She loved cooking and baking for her family and friends and also enjoyed the outdoors, especially working in her flower and vegetable gardens. Lorraine served as a driver for the HOPS Ambulance Association for several years and was a member of the Women’s Guild of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Perth Amboy, NJ.
Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Denise L. and Israel Cuevas, Sr. of Rome RR1, Carrie L. and Brian McCann of Farmingdale, NJ; a son and daughter-in-law, Miklos "Nick," III and Cassandra Magyar of Effort; four grandchildren, Jessica, JoAnna, Demitria and Shelby; a brother, Lyle Strickland of Benton, WA; a sister, Donna Strickland of California; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Lorraine was preceded in death by a half brother, William W. Strickland.
The funeral service was held on Monday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. at the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home, 217 York Ave., Towanda, with the Rev. Elwyn Patrick, pastor of the Herrickville Wesleyan Church, officiating. Interment was in the Orwell Hill Cemetery, Orwell Township.
The family received friends on Sunday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. and on Monday from noon until 1 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be directed to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 2680, North Canton, OH 44720 or to the HOPS Ambulance Association, in care of James W. Seipler, Secretary-Treasurer, RR1, Box 280, Rome, PA 18837 in Lorraine Strickland Magyar’s memory.
Odessa Garris
Sept. 8, 2002
Mrs. Odessa Garris, age 84, formerly of Camptown, PA, passed away on Sunday morning, Sept. 8, 2002 at The Highlands, Laporte, where she has been a resident for the past few months.
She was born in Brownwood, TX on June 30, 1918, the daughter of the late William and Laura Wil-liams Goolsby.
Mrs. Garris was a homemaker for her late husband, James (Art) Garris, who passed away in Decem-ber of 1971 and their family.
She was a member of the Beaver Meadows United Methodist Church for many years.
Surviving are two sons, James Garris of Racine, WI and Bradley and his wife, Louise Garris of Ar-lington, VA; a daughter, Kathy and her husband, Dan Siefring of Lake Winola; three grandchildren, Jamie Shatinsky of Philadelphia, Mrs. Kevin (Danielle) Armitage of Laceyville and Kris Shatinsky of Lake Winola; two great-grandsons, Colby Ritter of Lake Winola and Ryan Armitage of Laceyville.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 3 p.m. from the Beaver Meadows United Methodist Church, with Rev. Wil-liam Nelson of the church, officiat-ing. Interment was in the Beaver Meadows Cemetery. Family and friends called at the church on Wednesday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service. Arrangements were made through the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Laceyville.
In lieu of flowers, those wish-ing, may make memorial donations to the Beaver Meadows United Methodist Church, RR1, Laceyville, PA 18623.
Lillian Callahan
Sept. 9, 2002
Lillian Steele Callahan, age 70, of Tonawanda, NY, passed away at her home early Monday morning, Sept. 9, 2002 after a long illness.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Sept. 13 at 11:30 a.m. in Tonawanda.
Survivors include sons, Mark, Jimmy and friend, Nancy, Timmy and wife, Ginny; daughter, Donna, all of Tonawanda and Buffalo, NY; her sister and husband, JoAnn and Ronnie Sanders of Ocala, FL; four grandsons, her aunt, Ruth Weast, Wyalusing; several nieces, nephews and cousins and a special friend, Hugh O’Mara of Stowell.
Lillian was predeceased by her parents, Clarence Steele and Mary Oakey and her husband, George Callahan.
Kenneth Bowman
Sept. 4, 2002
Mr. Kenneth C. (Choo-Choo) Bowman, age 56, of Church St., Laceyville, PA, passed away suddenly at the Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 4, 2002.
Born in Bradford County on Sept. 17, 1945, he was the son of the late Grant, Sr. and Lucy Comstock Bowman.
From 1964 until 1971, Ken served stateside with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. For many years, Ken was employed by Con-Rail as a track inspector, working throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.
He was a member of Rought Hall Post #510 American Legion of Black Walnut. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking. He also enjoyed collecting railroad memorabilia.
Surviving are his daughter, Ms. Hope Whipple of Wyalusing; a brother, Grant (Buzz) Bowman of Downingtown; four sisters, Mrs. Arthur (Elsie) Wilcox of Reynoldsburg, OH, Mrs. David (Sonia) Whitley of Ellwood, Mrs. Gail Harvey of Concord, NC and Ms. Donna Fassett of Laceyville; three grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, two uncles, five aunts and many cousins.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 11 a.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Laceyville, with the Rev. Vic Millard of the Braintrim Baptist Church officiating. Interment was in the Vaughn Cemetery in Mehoopany with graveside military services to be conducted by the members of the Rought Hall Post #510, American Legion of Black Walnut and the Endless Mountains VFW Post #3583 of Mehoopany. Family and friends called at the funeral home on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial donations to the Laceyville Ambulance Association, PO Box 274, Laceyville, PA 18623.
Sheldon Betz
Sept. 6, 2002
Sheldon "Frenchie" Betz, age 48, of Dushore, PA, passed away on Friday, Sept. 6, 2002 at Memorial Hospital, Towanda, after suffering a heart attack.
Frenchie was born in Mechanicsburg on July 11, 1954, a son of Arlene Schaffner Betz and the late Roy Betz. He worked as an over-the-road truck driver for Wickwire Trucking and later as a fabricator for Hoffman-New Yorker in Dushore. For the past several years he was employed by Insinger Acres Farm in Cherry Township.
Frenchie enjoyed the outdoors and especially hunting and fishing and the BUS.
Surviving are his spouse, Brenda, at home; his mother, Arlene Betz, Etters; two sons, Thomas and Anthony Betz, CA; a stepson, Dustin Johnson, at home; daughters, Jennifer Betz, Williamsport and Jessica Betz, Dushore; stepdaughter, Danielle Johnson, at home; brother and sister-in-law, Roy, Jr. and Ginger Betz, Shermans Dale; sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and Terry Cassel, Oxford; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Aspen Marie Kinner on Dec. 10, 1999.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. at the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, with the Rev. Michael B. Harris presiding. Interment will be at the convenience of the family.
Friends called on Wednesday, Sept. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to the Dushore Fire and Ambulance Association, PO Box 1, Dushore, PA 18614.
William Benninger
Sept. 7, 2002
Mr. William A. (Sharkey) Benninger, age 66, of RR2, Box 320-D, Benninger Road, Meshoppen, PA passed away suddenly on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2002 at the Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock.
Born in Meshoppen on April 2, 1936, he was the son of the late Russell and Ella L. Linney Benninger.
Sharkey was a graduate of the Meshoppen High School, Class of 1954. He was employed as a laborer and machine operator by Conrail and later, Norfolk Southern Railroad for the last 30 years.
He was a member of the Meshoppen United Methodist Church. A member of the Meshoppen Fire Company, he was instrumental in all of their chicken barbecues. He coordinated many of the barbecues for many of Meshoppen and surrounding area clubs and organizations.
He was a member of Meshoppen Men’s Club, a social member of the Rought Hall Post #510 American Legion in Black Walnut. He also coached little league baseball in Meshoppen for many years. In his spare time, he was an avid hunter and sportsman and enjoyed the Boston Red Sox and Boston Celtics.
Survivors include his wife of 39 years, the former Nellie I. Holley Benninger, at home; two sons, Franklin R. (Frank) Benninger of Meshoppen and L. Andrew and his wife, Amy Benninger of Meshoppen; a daughter, Sandra K. and her husband, Andrew Becker of Reading; a brother, John H. and wife, Ivah Benninger of Meshoppen; three sisters, Nancy Place of Tunkhannock, Tootsie and husband, Colin Grose of Laceyville, Bonnie and husband, Rick Gregory of Dalton; four grandchildren, Kirsten Benninger of Meshoppen, Anthony Benninger of Laceyville, Tyler and Connor Becker, both of Reading; several nieces, nephews and cousins, also one uncle.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 11 a.m. from the United Methodist Church in Meshoppen with Rev. Dan Herron of the church officiating. Interment will be in the Overfield Cemetery, Meshoppen at the convenience of the family. Family and friends called at the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, on Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Meshoppen United Methodist Church, c/o Mr. Jack Roberts, RR2, Box 102-A, Meshoppen, PA 18630.
