Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Frances Hayden
She was born January 2, 1919, in Olean, New York, a daughter of Roland T. and Anna Koebelin Emery.
In 1945, she married Fredric W. Thompson, who died in 1960. In 1969, she married Evert “Gus” Hyden, who passed away in 1997.
Mrs. Hyden graduated from Olean High School in 1936 and the Westbrook Commercial Academy.
She moved to Emporium in 1951 and worked at the Cameron County High School Guidance Office for many years.
Mrs. Hyden was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Emporium, and a 50-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Surviving are two daughters, JoAnn Smith and Michele Neal of Emporium, one stepson, Carl Hyden of Baltimore, Maryland and one stepdaughter, Leslie Anglin of Chesapeake, Virginia, seven grandchildren, and two greatgrandchildren.
In addition she is survived by her beloved niece, Renee Murray Deibler of Macon, Georgia, and a special family friend, Karen Vogt Jiang of Emporium, Pennsylvania.
Fran will be sorely missed and deeply mourned by her family and friends.
Funeral and committal services were held on Monday, (Feb. 27, 2006) at St. John’s Lutheran Church, with the Reverend Bruce Burkness presiding. Burial will be in Newton Cemetery, Emporium.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, American Cancer Society, American Legion or the Guy and Mary Felt Manor all located in Emporium, Pennsylvania.
Arrangements were handled by the Coppersmith-Condon Funeral Home.
Kenneth Knisely
Kenneth Knisely, 74, of DuBois, formerly of Driftwood, died Sunday (Feb. 5, 2006) in DuBois Nursing Home following a lengthy illness.
Born June 15, 1931, in Sinnemahoning, he was a son of Thomas and Florence Moate Knisely. On April 27, 1976, in Cameron County, he married Geraldine Sherry, who survives.
Mr. Knisley was a resident of Cameron County until 1993 and was a graduate of Emporium High School, class of 1949.
He was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad as a tower operator for 20 years and also worked for the Pennsylvania Department of transportation for 20 years.
He was an avid hunter, fisherman and trapper.
Surviving in addition to his wife are one son, Roger Knisely of Driftwood; two daughters, Vivian Urban of Johnstown and Danielle Knisely of DuBois; four stepsons, Jess Moate of Treasure Lake, Rick Purcell of Emporium, Mike Purcell of DuBois and Jim Purcell of Lancaster, Ky.; two stepdaughters, Angela Shok of Luthersburg and Tina Jankowski of Milton, Fla.; numerous grandchildren; one brother, Walter Knisely of Driftwood; and two sisters, Joyce Sherry of Sinnemahoning and Nancy Reed of Emporium.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday (Feb. 8, 2006) in the Edward M. Barnett Funeral Home, PC with the Rev. Paul Siebert, pastor of St. Mark Catholic Church, as celebrant. Burial was in Gilmore Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Grove House or DuBois Nursing Home.
Hattie Berne
Hattie Pauline Berne, 82, of Crosby, died Tuesday (Jan. 31, 2006) at her residence.
Born Jan. 19, 1924, in Crosby, she was a daughter of Milford and Helen Bond Lathrop.
She was a 1941 graduate of Kane High School and was employed by GTE Sylvania of Emporium for 35 years.
She was a member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church. She was one of the original organizers and treasurer of the Crosby Water Association, and was a member of the Norwich Township Volunteer Fire Department; the American Legion Auxiliary, John Berg Post #976 of Crosby; the Quarter Century Club of GTE Sylvania, Emporium; and the Sylvania Retirees Association, Emporium.
She is survived by two sons, John J. Berne of Crosby and Robert A Berne of Smethport; one daughter, Judith A. Abbey of Smethport; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Elvida Stapulis of Smethport; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother.
A Mass of Christian Burial was said on Friday (Feb. 3) in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church where the Rev. Vincent P. Cieslewicz was celebrant. Burial was in the Norwich Cemetery, Colegrove.
Conrad Erickson
Conrad L. Erickson, 93, of Venice Fl., former Emporium resident died August 6, 2006 following a brief illness.
Connie was born in Sinnemahoning on Jan. 4, 1913, a son of Charles and Magda Anderson Erickson. On Sept. 5, 1957, at The First Presbyterian Church in Portville, NY, he married Marian "Kitty" Schick who survives.
A lifelong area resident, Connie was a retired chemist of The Austin Powder Works. He served in The Army Air Corp during WWII. Mr. Erickson was a member and past Commander of the Miller-Raffaele VFW Post 6221, a member of The Masonic Lodge, The Elks Club, The First Presbyterian Church of Emporium, and later a member of the Venice Presbyterian Church.
In addition to his wife Connie is survived by several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Erickson was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers; Joseph, Moyer, Andrew and Eric Erickson, and two sisters; Jennie Russell and Mary Kuhn.
Services were held at the Costa Brava-Venice Presbyterian Church, Venice, Fl. with the Rev. Dr. Glendora Taylor presiding. Interment will be at a later date at Venice Presbyterian Memorial Garden.
Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Emporium or the Venice Presbyterian Church of Fl.
Charles Kephart
Charles Alfonso Kephart, 83, passed away Aug. 8, 2006, in Escondido, CA.
Born Dec. 20, 1922 in Emporium. He has lived in Valley Center, CA for the past 4 years. He was a carpenter for more than 40 years and also managed apartment buildings in the San Fernando Valley. Mr. Kephart served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was a member of the Carpenter's Union for over 60 years. He enjoyed rattlesnake hunting, playing cards, casinos and his pets, Sally and Mimi.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dolly in 2005. He is survived by his son, Chuck Kephart of Bullhead City, AZ; daughters, Glenna (Larry) Lindemann; Charleen (Bruce) Kells and Tracy Johnson all of Valley Center, CA; Donna (Jude) Tavares of Northridge, CA; brother, Stanley (Elvira) Kephart of Tillamook, OR; sisters and brothers-in-law Mary (Leo) Gersch of San Diego and Betty (Ed) Cowley of New York. 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Sat. Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. at McLeod Mortuary, 1919 E. Valley Pkwy. Escondido, CA 92027/ (760) 745-2100. Private Inurnment took place at Valley Center Cemetery.
James R. Bosnik
James R. Bosnik, 83, of East Fourth Street, died Friday (Jan. 27, 2005) in Elk Regional Health Center, St. Marys.
Born Sept. 22, 1922, in St. Marys he was the son of Frank and Frances Koss Bosnik. On May 16, 1946, in Williamsport, he married the former Esther Jane Spence, who survives.
A resident of Emporium since 1946, Mr. Bosnik attended St. Marys schools and USF&G Insurance Institute in Baltimore, Md., and was also a journeyman carpenter.
He was employed for many years as an insurance and real estate salesman by H.S. Spence Insurance Agency in Emporium. Following his retirement, he took a position with the Emporium Country Club managing the Pro Shop as well as overseeing many other facets of operations and maintenance.
Mr. Bosnik was a charter member of the Emporium Country Club and was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Chapter #386, the American Legion Post #194, and Knights of Columbus Christabelle Club, all of Emporium.
In addition to his wife of 59 years, he is survived by one son, Dr. James R. Bosnik of Philadelphia; one daughter, Sally B. Gannon of State College; one brother, Edward Bosnik of St. Marys; one sister, Adelaide Gustafson of Emporium; and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Bosnik was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday (Jan. 30) in St. Mark Church, Emporium, with the Rev. Paul Siebert, pastor, as celebrant. Burial was in Newton Cemetery, Emporium.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Barbara Moscato Brown Memorial Library or to a charity of the donor's choice.
M. Dorothy Vogt
M. Dorothy Vogt, 87, of Coudersport, formerly of Emporium, died Tuesday (Jan. 31, 2006) in Charles Cole Memorial Hospital Extended Care Unit, Coudersport, after a short illness.
Born April 28, 1918, in Sheffield, she was a daughter of Harry W. and Mary A. Moran Miller. On April 25, 1940, in Emporium, she married Regis A. Vogt, who died Dec. 20, 1979.
She was a graduate of Sheffield High School. In her early years, Mrs. Vogt was employed by Sylvania Electric in Emporium.
A resident of Coudersport since 1987, Mrs. Vogt had previously lived in Emporium. She was a member of St. Eulalia Catholic Church, Coudersport, and a member of Catholic Daughters of America, St. Eulalia Chapter. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, playing the word game Upwords, holding the honor of the East Coast Champ; but most importantly, she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Surviving are a son, John G. (Sara) Vogt of Wellsboro; a daughter, Catharine J. (Dean) Dow of Coudersport; six grandchildren, Regis, Johanna, Megan, Zachary, Adam and Jay Don; a sister, Jean Rossetti of Mars; and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday (today) at 11 a.m. at St. Eulalia Catholic Church, Coudersport, with the Rev. Joseph Czarkowski, pastor, as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Mark’s Cemetery, Emporium.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Coudersport Chapter, Coudersport, Pa. 16915; or to the Charles Cole Memorial Hospital Extended Care Unit Patient Activity Fund, 1001 E. Second St., Coudersport, Pa. 16915.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
Rev. Robert Merten
The Rev. Robert B. Merten, 69, of Coudersport, died Sunday (Jan. 29, 2006) in his home of apparent heart failure.
He was born on April 3, 1936, in Irvington, N.J., a son of the late Alfred O. Merten and Ruth M. Burr Merten.
Rev. Merten graduated from Upsala (N.J.) College and the Princeton (N.J.) Theological Seminary. He was ordained as a Presbyterian minister at Killburn Presbyterian Church in Newark, N.J.
Following his ordination, he served as a student assistant for several Presbyterian churches in New Jersey. In the 1960s he accepted a call as minister for the First United Presbyterian Church of Coudersport.
Later, Rev. Merten studied music at Mansfield University and worked as a teacher for troubled teens in Oil City before he was called to serve as a minister for two Presbyterian churches in the Kunkle, Ohio, area. In the 1980s, Rev. Merten returned to Coudersport where he was employed as a special projects coordinator for Adelphia Communications Corp. until his retirement in 2001.
Throughout his life, Rev. Merten took a strong interest in the young, the elderly and the needy. He was an active volunteer for many years at local long-term care facilities, including Maple View Rest Home, Charles Cole Memorial Hospital and Sweden Valley Manor. For upwards of four decades, he was also a counselor and confidante for many parishioners and friends.
Rev. Merten chronicles several significant local historic developments. Among his numerous publishing credits were two books, Poets of Potter County and Shakespeare on Watergate. He was active with the Phantom Friends/Judy Bolton Society.
Rev. Merten was also a thoughtful social commentator; he frequently wrote letters to the editor as well as private correspondence on significant issues and, for several years, he could often be heard posing questions to prominent guests on the Larry King Show.
Music appreciation was a major part of Rev. Merten’s life. He studied classical music and reveled in opportunities to share his discoveries an nurture musical talent in others. Rev. Merten also composed and performed music for several community organizations and functions. He was a member of a local band, Brother Dietze and the Dixie Boys. He was also a volunteer assistant at the Coudersport Theatre. Rev. Merten battled a series of health problems for more then three decades, yet he continued his lifelong mission to serve others.
He is survived by a brother, William Merten and sister-inlaw Barbara J. Merten of Flamouth, Maine; one sister, Ruth Carol Neal and brother-inlaw Richard Dinnerman of Brick, N.J.; one niece, Laura Merten of South Portland, Maine; one nephew, W. Glenn Merten and his wife, Allison, of Washington D.C.
A memorial service was held Thursday (Feb. 2) at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Deana Armstrong, pastor, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Henry W. Staiger Memorial Award, a scholarship fund envisioned by Rev. Merten to benefit deserving Coudersport Area High School students, c/ o Northwest Savings Bank, PO Box 389, Coudersport, Pa., 16915.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Fickinger Funeral Home of Coudersport.
Joseph T. Pachorkowsky
Joseph T. Pachorkowsky, 48, of Palmerton R.2, died Monday in the St. Luke Hospital, Bethlehem.
He was a welder and millwright for the Bethlehem Steel/Centec Division.
Born in Palmerton, he was a son of Delores (Fritz) Green of Slatington and the late Joseph Pachorkowsky, and a stepson of Dorothy Pachorkowsky of Virginia Beach, Va.
An Army veteran, he was a member of the Palmerton VFW Post.
Surviving in addition to his mother and stepmother are a son, Joseph J., and a daughter, Jessica G., both of Roseto; a stepbrother, Raymond C. Kehm of Orlando, Fla.; a half brother, Harold Green of Slatington; and a stepsister, Bonita L. Nacke of Virginia Beach, Va.
The Campton Funeral Home, 525 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Ann J. O'Neill
Mrs. Ann J. O'Neill, 70, of Lansdale, died Tuesday evening in her home. She had been in failing health.
The deceased was the widow of Francis P. O'Neill, who died Feb. 5, 1979.
A registered nurse, she worked at the North Penn Hospital and at the offices of Drs. Falk, McCord and Jochnowitz of Lansdale.
Born in Lansford, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Rose (Gallagher) Barrett.
She was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Lansdale.
Mrs. O'Neill graduated from the former St. Ann High School, Lansford, and the St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, Philadelphia.
Surviving are three sons, Richard J. and Thomas W., both of Lansdale, and Francis P. of Quakertown; a daughter, Ann Amos of Telford; a brother Thomas of Coaldale; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Rosemary Peck and Helen McGory.
The Simcox-McIlvaine Funeral Home, Lansdale, is in charge of the arrangements.
Raymond F.Mackes
Raymond F. Mackes, 83, of Sciota, died Wednesday in the Pleasant Valley Manor, Snydersville.
He owned and operated the Blue Ridge Drive-In, Saylorsburg, for 40 years before retiring in 1992, and also owned and operated drive-in theaters and a trailer court in Florida.
He also taught in various school districts for 13 years before retiring from teaching in 1962.
A graduate of the former East Stroudsburg Normal School, he received his master's degree in education from Pennsylvania State University and did graduate work at Columbia University.
Born in Sciota, he was a son of the late Rodgers and Lillie Mae (Snyder) Mackes.
An Army veteran of World War II, he served in the European Theater of Operations and was involved in the invasion of Normandy.
Surviving are two brothers, LeRoy of Sciota and Stanley of Saylorsburg; and nieces and nephews.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Brodheadsville, is in charge of the arrangements.
