Obituaries by LocationNancy (Russin) Raffin
Jan. 12, 2002
Mrs. Nancy (Russin) Raffin, age 84, a guest at the Wyalusing Personal Care Home and formerly of Madera, PA, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2002 at the personal care home.
Born on May 16, 1917 in Madera, she was the daughter of the late Metro and Anna (Kaniuk) Russin.
Her spouse, John Raffin, preceded her in death on March 10, 1997.
She retired from the JBC Sewing Factory in Madera after 35 years as a seamstress.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Nativity of the Theotokos Orthodox Church, Madera and enjoyed gardening and cooking.
Surviving her are two children, Raymond J. Raffin and wife, Mary Ann of Wyalusing and Mrs. Clarence (Florence) Kessling, Chambersburg; four grandchildren, Kim Hawkins, Germantown, MD, Michele Raffin, Boalsburg, John Raffin, Philadelphia and Karl Raffin, Towanda; two brothers and three sisters, John Russin, Martins Ferry, OH, George Russin, Buffalo, NY, Sue Lindberg, Newington, CT, Anna Lenkevich, Farmington, MI, Helen Koren, Clearfield; numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Mike, Frank, Charles and Alex and one sister, Mary Yorke.
Friends and family were received at the Kruise Funeral Home in Madera on Monday, Jan. 14 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A parastas was sung at 8:30 with Fr. Gregory Lewis.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Nativity of the Theotokos Orthodox Church, Madera, with Fr. Gregory Lewis officiating.
Interment was in the church Cemetery .
Marie B. Radencic
Jan. 13, 2002
Marie B. Radencic, age 56, of Pittsburgh, PA, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2002 at the home of her daughter, Tracy Brunner in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Marie was born in Dushore, PA, on March 11, 1945, a daughter of the late George A., Sr. and Mary Frank Radencic. She graduated from St. Basil’s High School in Dushore, a member of the Class of 1963.
Marie lived in the South for several years before moving to Pittsburgh in 1976. She worked for JC Penney’s and was currently an account executive with Giant Eagle Supermarkets in Pittsburgh.
She was a loving mother and enjoyed a great zest for life. She always returned home to Dushore each summer for her family’s annual pig roast.
Surviving are a son, Russell Brunner, Williamsport; a daughter, Tracy Brunner, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; a brother and sister-in-law, Peter P. and Patricia Radencic, Harrisburg; grandson, William Brunner Sak; several nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends. She was preceded in death by a sister, Catherine Rose Radencic on Aug. 13, 1960, and brothers, Robert A. Radencic on March 8, 1983 and George A. Radencic, Jr. on June 20, 1996.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Basil’s Church, Dushore, with the Rev. Michael B. Harris, pastor, presiding. Interment
will be in St. Basil’s Cemetery , Dushore.
Memorials may be directed to St. Basil’s Restoration Fund, PO Box 307, Dushore, PA 18614.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore.
Willard B. (Bill) Coombs
Jan. 9, 2002
Willard B. (Bill) Coombs, age 76, of Meshoppen, PA, passed away on Wednesday morning, Jan. 9, 2002 at his home.
Bill was born in Reading on April 19, 1925, son of the late Willard B. and Gertrude Space Coombs. He graduated from the Valley Forge Military Academy in 1943 and served in the U.S. Army during WWII. After the war, he entered Albright College in Reading from which he graduated in 1949 with a B. S. degree in Economics. He married the former Estelle I. Sprout of Reading on May 31, 1947.
Bill worked for LTV Steel Corporation, formerly Youngstown Steel & Tube from which he retired in 1984 after 32 years of service. After retiring, Bill moved to their long time recreational home in Meshoppen.
Bill loved the outdoors and was a great hunter and fisherman. He was very active with the Dushore Lions Club. He was a member of Scottish Rite One through the 18th Valley of Towanda, 19th through the 32nd Valley of Reading, Evergreen Lodge #163 F&AM, Monroeton, Union Royal Arch Chapter #161, Towanda.
Bill was a very active member of Zion Chapel, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Dushore, and a member of the church council.
Surviving are his loving spouse, Estelle, at home; two sons and daughter-in-law, Fred B. and Kathy Coombs, Easton and John E. Coombs, Horsham; two daughters and son-in-law, Christine A. Johnston, Oley and Jane Louise and Darwin Evangelista of Laureldale; a sister and brother-in-law, Janet C. and Richard T. Reeser, Temple; a step-sister, Shirley Lucas, Downington; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by his nephew, the greatly loved Rev. Richard A. Reeser on Jan. 31, 1998.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 11 a.m. at Zion Chapel, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Dushore, with his pastor, Rev. Eddie A. Nilsen, officiating. Interment
was in Overfield Cemetery in Meshoppen.
Friends called on Friday, Jan. 11 at the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, from 6:30 until 9 p.m. Masonic funeral services were held at 7 p.m. by members of the Evergreen Lodge #163 F&AM.
Memorials may be directed to Zion Chapel, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, PO Box 426, Dushore, PA 18614.
Ann Marie Muller Wecker
Jan. 4, 2002
Ann Marie Muller Wecker, 62, of RR1, Monroeton, formerly of Olive St., Towanda, PA, passed away on Friday morning, Jan. 4, 2002 at Memorial Hospital, Towanda.
Born June 4, 1939 in New York City, NY, she was a daughter of the late Stephen and Grace Muller.
Ann was a graduate of SRU High School and in early years was employed by the Commonwealth Telephone Company in Towanda.
On May 13, 1961 she married Fred J. Wecker in Towanda.
Ann was a member of SS Peter and Paul Church, Towanda, and its Altar and Rosary Society.
Her life encompassed her home, family and church. She was cared for by her loving and devoted husband, Fred for over 30 years until his passing. Her children, Jamie and Patty continued to care for her until her passing. Through all of her illness and hardships she remained happy and strongly devoted to her faith.
Ann enjoyed football, especially the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Surviving are her children and their spouses, Patricia A. and Eric A. Thomason of Towanda RR1, James F. and Shannon M. Wecker of Monroeton RR1; three grandsons, Christian M. Thomason, Lars N. Thomason and Quinn G. Wecker; three brothers, Donald Muller of Santa Maria, CA, Robert Muller of Louisiana, Thomas Muller of Farmington, NY; two sisters, Joan Austin of Harvey’s Lake and Patsy Smith of Towanda; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred J. Wecker on Dec. 26, 1997; a son, Freddie C. Wecker, March 31, 1978; a grandson, Matthew Nicholas Thomason, Jan. 30, 1997; a brother, Stephen Muller in 1996.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Monday, Jan. 7 at 10 a.m. at the SS Peter and Paul Church, Towanda, with the Rev. Ronald Hughes as celebrant.
Interment was in the SS Peter and Paul Cemetery , North Towanda Township.
The family received friends Sunday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home, 217 York Ave., Towanda. A recitation of the rosary was held.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the SS Peter and Paul Church, 106 Third St., Towanda in Mrs. Wecker’s memory.
William H. Stalford
Jan. 8, 2002.
William H. Stalford, age 52, of Wyalusing RR4, PA, died on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2002.
He was born on Sept. 7, 1949 in Meshoppen, the son of the late Harmon and Charlotte Lines Stalford.
Bill was engaged in farming for Nelson Wells of Wyalusing.
He was a member of the Wyalusing Grange.
Bill enjoyed fishing, woodworking, gardening, farming and was a great handyman. He will be remembered as being a loving husband and father.
He left surviving his wife, Ann Wells Stalford, at home; a daughter Hope Stalford of Wyalusing; a son, William Stalford of Wyalusing; a sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and George J. Ross of Sugar Run; two nephews, Ryan and Nicholas Ross; many aunts, uncles and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Roland Stalford.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, Jan. 14 at 11 a.m. in the McHenry Funeral Home, 106 Church St., Wyalusing, with the Rev. John H. Dabback and the Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Starzer officiating.
Friends and family may call on Monday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mrs. Esther Jane Lyon
Jan. 7, 2002
Mrs. Esther Jane Lyon, age 92, of Eagles Mere, PA, passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 7, 2002 at home with her spouse at her side.
Esther was born in Canton. She became a registered nurse and practiced in the Philadelphia area hospitals. She married Elwyn S. (Whitey) Lyon in Philadelphia on July 11, 1934. They celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary last July. Esther and Whitey retired to Eagles Mere in 1970.
Esther was a member of the Eagles Mere Community Church, the Eagles Mere Women’s Club and the Eagles Mere Conservancy.
Surviving are her loving spouse, Whitey, at home; a son and daughter-in-law, Raymond M. and Florence M. Lyon, Eagles Mere; five grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held later in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to the Eagles Mere Community Church, c/o Elaine Mudrick, PO Box 305, Eagles Mere, PA 17731-0305 or to the Eagles Mere Ambulance Association, PO Box 374, Eagles Mere, PA 17731-0374.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, PA 18614.
Ruth R. "Mama" Gay
Jan. 6, 2002.
Ruth R. "Mama" Gay, age 86, of 78 Franklin Ave., Tunkhannock, PA, passed away at Tyler Memorial Hospital on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2002.
She was born in Verona, Ontario, Canada on June, 4, 1915, the daughter of the late Rev. George Ralph and Maude Stark.
Ruth married George Gay on July 4, 1939 in Perth, Ontario.
She taught school for 20 years in Tunkhannock and previously in Canada. She also worked at the family business, Gay’s True Value Hardware in Tunkhannock.
A member of the Tunkhannock United Methodist Church, she was a member of the choir for over 50 years and was also the choir director; belonged to the Tunkhannock Women’s Club; Chapter 74 of the Order of the Eastern Star; a volunteer at the Tyler Memorial Hospital for many years; member of the Bridge Club of Wyoming County; the Ladies Bible Study Group of Tunkhannock and loved to bake and do gardening.
Survivors include her husband, George; three sons and daughters-in-law, George and Dorothy Gay, Waldorf, MD, Doug and Wilma Gay and Dave and Ann Gay, all of Tunkhannock; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Cora, Mabel and Jesse and a brother, Wilfred.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan. 10 (today) at 1 p.m. in the Tunkhannock United Methodist Church with Rev. Roger Richards, her pastor, officiating. Interment
will be in Sunnyside Cemetery , Tunkhannock.
Friends and family called on Wednesday, Jan. 9 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 at the Harding-Litwin Funeral Home, 123 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tyler Health Foundation, 880 SR6, Tunkhannock, PA 18657.
Ms. Sharon M. Franklin
Jan. 5, 2002
Sharon M. Owen Franklin, 44, PO Box 208, Main St., Laceyville, PA, died suddenly on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 5, 2002 at Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock.
She was born in Meshoppen on April 19, 1957, the daughter of Francis H. and Jennie M. Wandall Owen of Laceyville. She attended Wyalusing Valley High School.
She lived and worked most of her life in and around the Laceyville area.
In her spare time, she enjoyed being surrounded by her family and friends, especially her grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She also enjoyed reading, needlepoint, crocheting and going on the Sharaton bus trips with her mom, family and friends.
Surviving, besides her parents, are a son and daughter-in-law, Stanley and Shantel Franklin of Laceyville; two daughters, Shelly Franklin (Tim Holzlein) of Laceyville and Stacey Franklin (Tom Hummel) of Tunkhannock; two brothers, Carl Owen and Dennis Owen, both of Laceyville; two sisters, Carol (Lewis) Estell of Montrose and Sandra Thompson of Laceyville; a sister-in-law, Sandra Owen of Tunkhannock; two granddaughters; three grandsons; two nephews; seven nieces; several aunts, uncles and cousins. She also was the beloved granddaughter of Mrs. Nellie Owen of Montrose and the late Floyd Owen and the late Melvin Wandall and Martha Post Wandall Jackson.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Eugene Owen on March 5, 1996.
Funeral services were held on Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Laceyville, with the Rev. Ruth Breitweiser, retired Methodist minister, officiating. Interment
was in the Lacey Street Cemetery , Laceyville.
Family and friends called at the funeral home from noon until the time of the services.
Harry Leroy Keeney
Jan. 1, 2002
Harry Leroy Keeney, age 87, of First St., Wyalusing, PA, died on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2002 at the Wyalusing Personal Care and Retirement Home.
Harry was born Jan. 7, 1914 in Colley, a son of the late Leroy B. and Ruth Bunnell Keeney. He spent his childhood on Sugar Hill and attended the Sugar Hill and Sugar Run Elementary Schools and later the Wyalusing High School. On March 1, 1940, he married Evelyn Potter of Sugar Hill and they moved to Wyalusing. The couple is well-known in the Wyalusing area, where Evelyn was a teacher and Harry worked driving truck for Robert Capwell, the Wyalusing Planing Mill for Earl Gamble, McCarty’s Garage and in the wintertime, cut ice at Mountain Springs. By the time of his marriage in 1940, Harry was working for Glenn Arey Lumber in Wyalusing and later in Wysox, from which he retired as a foreman after over 35 years of service.
Harry’s hobbies include fishing, hunting, baseball and bowling. He belonged to several fishing and hunting clubs, played baseball for the Sugar Hill traveling team and was one of the first bowlers at Mountainside Lanes in Wyalusing when it opened.
His memberships include the Wyalusing Methodist Church, the IOOF (Odd Fellows) and the Wyalusing Valley Fire Company where he was honored last year as the 2001 Veteran of the Year.
Surviving are his spouse, Evelyn, at home; a son, Robert Harry Keeney, Lewes, DE; a daughter, Barbara Heyman, Wyalusing; two brothers, Norman Keeney, Sayre and Walter Keeney, Allentown; a sister, Mrs. Mary Green, Orlando, FL; one granddaughter, Christine Heyman, Baltimore, MD; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Jan. 4 at the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, One Grovedale Lane, Wyalusing, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Beverly Davenport, his pastor, officiating. Interment
will be in the Wyalusing Cemetery .
Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday, Jan. 3, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Memorials may be directed to the Wyalusing United Methodist Church, PO Box 155, Wyalusing, PA 18853.
Judith (Jackson) Walker
Dec. 14, 2001
Judith (Jackson) Walker of 136 N. Calle Tortuga, Benson, AZ (formerly of Green Valley, AZ), died on Friday, Dec. 14, 2001 at Benson Hospital’s Hospice Room after a long and courageous battle with diabetes, kidney and heart diseases.
Born Oct. 13, 1941 in Birchardville, Susquehanna County, PA, she was the daughter of the late George L. and Alice (Blaisure) Jackson.
On Aug. 7, 1960, she married Kenneth B. Walker, Sr., in Endicott, NY, who survives her.
Also surviving are daughters and sons-in-law, Debby E. and A. Cain Bowman, Benson, AZ, Kerry A. and Thomas M. Early, Dragoon, AZ, Jodi L. Clary, Dragoon, AZ, Chuck Clary, Mescal, AZ; sons and daughters-in-law, Kenneth B., Jr. and Asa Walker, Tucson, AZ, James G. and Daisy L. Walker, Rush, Timothy J. and Windy Walker, Pascagoula, MS; sisters and a brother-in-law, Marjorie Eberly, Candor, NY, Mary and Ron May, Pageland, SC; brother and sister-in-law, Fred E. and Kathy Jackson, Tunkhannock; father-in-law, Kenneth C. Walker, Sahuarita, AZ; grandchildren, Judy E. Bowman, Christine M. and Rebecca J. Early, Christopher, Bradley, Steven, Kenneth and Charles Clary, Alexis K. Walker, Erin L. Walker, Dee Dee Walker, David and Trae McDevitt; several brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were brothers, Robert, George, Jerry, Buddy and Ronald Jackson; daughters, Terry, Sherry and Sarah Walker and a granddaughter, Kendra D. Walker-Bowman.
A memorial service will be held at the Assembly of God Green Valley, 1100 W. Calle Privada, Sahuarita, AZ on Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. with the Rev. David Stowell (Green Valley) and Rev. Michael D. Gordon (Benson First Assembly of God), officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a memorial donation be made to the Benson Hospital Hospice Fund or to the charity of one’s choice.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
