Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Betty Marie Benson
NEWARK, DE - Betty Marie Benson, 73, of Newark, DE, formerly of Lewistown, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family Monday Jan. 6, 2003. She was a daughter of the late Alton M. and Bessie Marie (Brown) Herbster. Her husband of 52 years, George Daniel Benson, survives.
Also surviving are: two sons , Daniel M. Benson, Wilmington, DE, and Richard A. Benson and wife Cheryl, Bear, DE;
She was preceded in death by a brother, Richard A. Herbster and a sister, Mary Lou Snyder.
Funeral services and entombment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: Delaware Hospice, 3515 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19810.
To send condolences, visit www.spicer-mullikinfuneralhomes.com.
Charles W. 'Chip' Benson
ORBISONIA - Charles W. "Chip" Benson, 86, formerly of Orbisonia, and more recently of Lewistown, died at 12:09 a.m. Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, at Lewistown Hospital.
Born Dec. 3, 1916, in Springfield Twp., Huntingdon County, he was a son of the late Scott and Naomi (Wible) Benson. His first wife, Lucille Benson preceded him in death. His second wife, Catherine M. Sherman preceded him in death.
Surviving are: a sister, Edna Schwetz, Ohio; a granddaughter, Diane Nale and husband Vaughn who was raised by Mr. Benson; a great-granddaughter, Anna Mackneer and husband Jeff; and great-great grandchildren, Chelsea, Macie and Tyler, all of Lewistown.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Janet Benson; two brothers , Melvin and Archie; three sisters , Thelma Yingling, Orlena Gray, and Freda Bair; and three brothers who died in infancy..
He was a veteran of World War II serving with the U.S. Army as a military policeman. He retired from Letterkenny Army Depot, Chambersburg.
He was employed at one time by East Broad Top Railroad, Rockhill Furnace and later was a self-employed handyman.
He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and gardener. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his three great-great grandchildren, fishing, camping, playing with Barbies, watching movies, and putting puzzles together. He was especially fond of his dog Lillie. He was greatly loved and will be remembered fondly and truly missed by his family.
A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Locust Grove Mennonite Church, 3358 W. Main St., Belleville with Pastor Max Zook officiating.
Arrangements are by the Martin R. Brown Funeral Home, Orbisonia.
Laura M. Berich
REEDSVILLE - Laura M. Berich, 70, of 46 Prince St., Reedsville, died at 4 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at her residence.
Born July 12, 1932, in Centre Hall, she was a daughter of the late Charley Blair and Bertha Ruth (Brown) Smith. Her husband, Robert E. Berich, whom she married April 5, 1958, survives.
Also surviving are: three children, Mrs. Paul (Diane) Ehrenfeld, Harrisburg, Mrs. James (Cynthia) Corbin Jr., Milroy, and Terry L. Berich, Reedsville; a brother, Carl D. Smith, Centre Hall; and four grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two brothers , C. Dean Smith and Donald E. Smith.
She had been a key punch operator at Penn State University and also was co-owner of Bob's Locksmith, Reedsville.
She was a member of Shrader United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the American Locksmith Association.
She graduated in 1950 from Centre Hall Potter High School.
Her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Bohn Funeral Home, Reedsville with Rev. L. Ed Moore officiating. Interment will be in Juniata Memorial Park, Lewistown.
There will be no public viewing, however family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be sent to: Shrader United Methodist Church, c/o Earl Gentzel, P.O. Box 157, Milroy, PA 17063.
Helen L. Bersinger
LEWISTOWN - Helen L. Bersinger, 82, of 322 S. Brown St., Lewistown, died at 7:45 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, 2003, at Lewistown Hospital.
Born Feb. 14, 1921, in Lewistown, she was a daughter of the late Ray W. and Mae Irene (Tomlinson) Wagner. Her husband, Harford Raymond Bersinger, whom she married Aug. 30, 1941, survives.
Also surviving are: two daughters , Mrs. Barry (Stephanie) Shugarts, Monee, IL, and Mrs. John (Sandra) Rossiter, Wilmington, DE; and three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Maybelle Sprout.
Early in life she was employed by American Viscose Corp., Lewistown. The majority of her life she was a homemaker.
She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church.
Her services will be private at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in St. Mark's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: Grace United Methodist Church, 101 Logan St., Lewistown, PA 17044.
Heller-Hoenstine Woodlawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Samuel C. Betlyon Sr.
BURNHAM - Samuel C. Betlyon Sr., 92, a resident of Ohesson Manor and formerly of 626 Highland Ave., Burnham, died at 12:08 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003, at Lewistown Hospital.
Born June 6, 1911, in Burnham, he was a son of the late Anson W. and Belle M. (Barr) Betlyon. His wife, Edith M. (Sulouff) Betlyon, died July 21, 1983.
Surviving are: three children, Belle Ann Mayes, Lewistown, Samuel C. Betlyon, Jr., and Debra J. Betlyon, both of Burnham; 10 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren,
He was the last of his immediate family, having been preceded in death by a sister, Mildred J. Brandt, two brothers , John N. and Jesse L. Betlyon and a grandson, James Mayes.
He worked in the Heat Treating Department of Standard Steel, Burnham, for 43 years, retiring in 1976.
He was a member of Freedom Avenue United Methodist Church, the Alfarata's Men's Chorus, SPEBSQSA and a life member of Newtown Fire Co. He had previously served on the Burnham Borough Council.
His funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Heller-Hoenstine Burnham Funeral Home, 108 First Ave., Burnham, with Rev. Dr. John Betlyon and Rev. Larry K. Lutz officiating. Interment will be in Birch Hill Cemetery.
Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be sent to: Freedom Avenue United Methodist Church, 513 Freedom Ave., Burnham, PA 17009.
Lee Aurthur 'Butch' Billow Sr.
COCOLAMUS - Lee Aurthur "Butch" Billow Sr., 61, of HCR 63, Cocolamus, died at 5 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003, at Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill.
His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Millerstown. Interment will be in the adjoining church cemetery.
Family and friends will gather for the viewing at 7-9 p.m. Sunday at the George P. Garman Funeral Home, Mt. Pleasant Mills.
Earle T. Bishop
MIFFLINTOWN - Earle T. Bishop, 86, of Mifflintown, formerly of Millersburg, died at 11:07 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, at his home while he was getting ready to leave on his 28th annual trip to Florida.
Born March 20, 1916, in Lake Ariel, he was a son of the late Harley and Helen (Collins) Bishop. His wife of 63 years, Mabel (Boland) Bishop, whom he married Oct. 21, 1939, survives.
Also surviving are: his daughter, Maureen Deibert and her husband, John P., Bernardsville, NJ, and one sister, Ruth Jones, Boynton Beach, FL.
He was a SeaBee, serving in Hawaii with the United States Navy during World War II.
He worked in many capacities for PP&L and retired in 1978 as a community affairs representative. After retiring, he was a driver for Leidy's in Mifflintown.
He was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Lewistown. He was also involved in many Masonic organizations including Union Lodge No. 360, Harrisburg Consistory, Zembo Shrine and Tall Cedars of Lebanon. Until recently, he was active in the Rotary Club. He was instrumental in developing the Juniata County Industrial Park.
He enjoyed golfing, fishing and hunting, and he and his wife had spent the last 27 winters in Florida.
A memorial service will be held at a later time, possibly in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 3551 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140 or to the charity of the donor's choice.
Guss Funeral Home, 20 S. Third St., Mifflintown is handling the arrangements.
Thelma G. Bloom
LEWISTOWN - Thelma G. Bloom, 82, a resident of Beverly Healthcare/ William Penn, formerly of 79 Logan St., Lewistown, died at 6:53 a.m. Sunday, March 23, 2003, at Lewistown Hospital.
Born May 22, 1920, in Gorman, TX, she was a daughter of the late Alvin L. and Ora Ethel (Hopper) Goss.
Surviving are: three daughters , Mrs. David (Nancy) Cable, Saginaw, MI, Mrs. Douglas (Sherry) Lesher, Thompsontown, and Mrs. Danny (Mary Jo) Kennedy, Reedsville; 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a sister and a brother.
She was Executive Secretary at Standard Steel, Burnham with 26 years of service, retiring in 1982.
She was a member of Lewistown Presbyterian Church.
Her funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Hoenstine Funeral Home, Inc., 75 Logan St., Lewistown, with Rev. John S. Walters officiating. Interment will be in Juniata Memorial Park.
Friends may call from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be sent to: National Lupus Foundation, 5405 Jonestown Road, Suite 110, Harrisburg, PA 17112 or to American Heart Assoc., 501 Howard Ave., Bldg D, Suite 101, Altoona, PA 16601.
Mildred L. Bock
LEWISTOWN - Mildred L. Bock, 75, of Lewistown, formerly of Dilliner, died at 12:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 28, 2003, at Ohesson Manor Nursing Home, Lewistown.
Born Dec. 29, 1927, in Poland Mines (Monongahela Twp.), she was a daughter of the late Thomas R. and Jane Meredith Hodgson Jones Sr. She resided in Poland Mines most of her life until moving to Lewistown in 1990. Her husband, Cyril A. Bock, whom she married Sept. 25, 1948, died March 6, 1987.
Surviving are: two daughters , Pamela B. Averman and husband, William, Pittsburgh, and Barbara B. Jones and husband, David, Lewistown; two sons , Michael L. Bock, Dilliner, and Barrett A. Bock and wife, Joy, Pataskala, OH; five grandchildren, Jenifer Ellenberg, Lesley Ellenberg, Abraham Jones, Phoebe Jones, and Hunter Bock; a brother, Thomas R. Jones, Wellsville, OH; a sister, Anne Rush, Cortland, OH; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by two brothers , Richard and Albert Jones and a sister, Margaret Ringler.
She was a 1945 graduate of Mapletown High School and was a member of Sugar Grove Baptist Church.
Her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today at the Yoskovich Funeral Home, 300 S. Vine St., Carmichaels, with Pastor Frank Vucic officiating. Interment will be in Greene County Memorial Park, Waynesburg.
Memorials may be sent to: Huntington's Disease Society of America, P.O. Box 110223, Pittsburgh, PA 15232.
James S. Bodtorf
LEWISTOWN - James S. Bodtorf, 35, of 70 Squaw Hollow Road, Lewistown, died at 2:13 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2003, at Lewistown Hospital's emergency room.
Born April 18, 1967, in Lewistown, he was a son of Fred J. and Mary Alice (Fickes) Bodtorf of 32 S. Main St., Reedsville. His wife, Amanda J. (Eckley) Bodtorf, whom he married on Sept. 14, 2002, survives at home.
Also surviving are: a son, James S. Bodtorf Jr., Lewistown; a daughter, Amanda E. Bishop, and a step-son, Jacob William Eckley, both at home; and three brothers , Robert L. Bodtorf, Pine Grove, William K. Bodtorf, Reedsville, and Christopher A. Bodtorf, Lewistown.
He was employed in the maintenance department of Wal-Mart.
He was a member of Evangelical Lutheran Church, Reedsville.
He was an avid sportsman and a member of Allensville Hunting Club and Blue Rock Sportsman Club.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Reedsville Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 E. Logan St., with Rev. Kenneth Longfield officiating. Interment will be in Church Hill Cemetery, Reedsville.
Family will receive friends 7-9 p.m. Friday at Bohn Funeral Home, Reedsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Reedsville Evangelical Lutheran Church, PO Box 537, Reedsville, PA 17084.
Leonore 'Lee' S. Bonnelly
MIFFLINTOWN - Leonore S. Bonnelly, 98, formerly of RR 2 Mifflintown, died Saturday, May 3, 2003 at Brookline Manor where she had been a resident since February of this year.
She was one of eleven children and was born Nov. 4, 1904 in Philadelphia to the late Rose and Leo Severino . Her husband, Edward E. Bonnelly died in 1985.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lorna and Fred Conard with whom she lived for 12 years; four grandchildren Patricia Conard of Tennessee, Thomas Conard of Maryland, Gary Conard of Ohio, Mrs. Charles (Lori) Hatch of New Jersey and eight grandchildren, all whom she loved dearly.
She was a Supervisor with the Phila. Municipal Court for 28 years until her retirement at age 70. She enjoyed reading, working cross-word puzzles and created beautiful embroidery work.
Funeral services and interment will be private.
Guss Funeral Home, Mifflintown is in charge of the arrangements.
