Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
John David Wilkins
LEWISBURG - John David Wilkins, 44, of Melmar Drive, Lewisburg, peacefully passed into the presence of his Savior at 12:30 a.m. on Monday, January 13, 2003 at his home following a 14 1/2 -year battle with cancer. Formerly of Somerville, Virginia, he had resided in Lewisburg (Buffalo Township) for almost 8 years.
Mr. Wilkins was born in York, PA on April 23, 1958, a son of James U. and Lois E. (Paulhamus) Wilkins of Duboistown. He was married in State College on August 16, 1986 to the former Valeria Ann Bell, who survives.
In addition to his wife and his parents, surviving are two daughters , Lauran Elise and Emily Grace; two brothers , J. Michael, husband of Susan (Burkhard) of Newcastle, and Mark S. of Montgomery; and parents-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Bobby D. Bell of Mifflintown.
He was a 1976 graduate of South Williamsport High School after serving as student council president his senior year. He graduated from Bucknell University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics with concentration in computer science, pursuing graduate studies in computer science, mathematics and electrical engineering at The Pennsylvania State University and the University of Maryland.
Immediately following his graduation from Bucknell University through 1985, Mr. Wilkins was employed as a lead software engineer by HRB-Singer, Inc., of State College. Following a brief sabbatical to pursue graduate coursework, he served as an advisory engineer to IBM's Cryptography Center of Competence in Manassas, Virginia. During his 9 years in Manassas, he was named as an inventor on 18 patents in the areas of data security, multimedia copy protection, and network analysis, as well as contributing numerous technical articles.
In 1995 Mr. Wilkins returned to Bucknell University, where he was employed as a Systems Integrator for Information Services and Resources, bringing to bear his talents as a cryptography expert, security professional, programmer, and UNIX system administrator. In addition, he was the founder and owner of Petra Security Architects, a consulting firm in computer and network security, and a founder and co-owner of WellChildForms, Inc., an Internet company providing customized well-child forms for pediatricians and family physicians.
Mr. Wilkins was a member of the Mifflinburg Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, serving on the finance committee and as leader of the men's Precept upon Precept Bible study.
Always interested in electronics, he held an advanced class amateur radio license, operating with the call sign KC4SYX. He enjoyed outdoor activities such as running, hiking, biking and cross-country skiing. An avid mystery fan, he also enjoyed charcoal and pencil drawing. Those who knew John remember him for his uncommon and quiet courage, great faith, capable intellect, and welcome wit.
The funeral service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Mifflinburg Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Buffalo Road, Mifflinburg, with Rev. T. Glen Bayly and Rev. Leslie Conklin officiating. Fellowship and refreshments with the family will follow the service. Interment will take place at 11 a.m. Friday in Mazeppa Union Cemetery.
For those who choose to do so, in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837 or the General Scholarship Fund. Bryan College, Dayton, TN 37321.
A service of Gary H. Cronrath Funeral Home, 106 S. Second St., Lewisburg.
KC4YSYX is now silent key.
Donald E. Williams Sr.
LEWISTOWN - Donald E. Williams, Sr., 70, of Granville Run Rd., Lewistown, died at 8:13 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, 2003, at his home.
Born Feb. 8, 1933, in Lewistown, he was a son of the late Earl W. and Madaline (Summers) Williams. His wife, Erma (Bowersox) Williams, whom he married Feb. 26, 1973, survives.
Also surviving are: children, Donald E. Williams, Jr., and Rev. Bradley Williams, both of Lewistown, Robin Williams, Yeagertown, Tammy Carmel, Lewistown, and Kerry Williams, Reedsville; step-children, Carl Strauser, McVeytown, and Connie Narehood, Lewistown; a sister, Lucielle Williams, Lewistown; an aunt, Hazel Hunter, Lewistown; 14 grandchildren, including Amie Plank his caregiver; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Brandon Plank.
He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served with the 3rd Infantry Division.
He was employed as head of maintenance at the Holiday Inn, Burnham, retiring in 1995.
He was a life member and former officer of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 13, Lewistown, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7011, Lewistown, and the
Mifflin County Veterans Association, where he served as chairman of the cemetery committee for many years.
As a soldier in 1950 he was featured in an "Our World" magazine photo series covering an executive order from President Truman.
His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Harshbarger Funeral Home, 3 S. Market St., McVeytown, with Rev. Donald E. Peters, Jr., officiating. Interment will be in Mattawana Cemetery, McVeytown, where graveside military honors will be conducted by VFW Post 7011, Lewistown.
Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the service time Monday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: Hospice The Bridge, Lewistown Hospital, 400 Highland Ave., Lewistown, PA 17044; or to Disabled American Veterans Chapter 13, c/o Gary Stimely, Treasurer, 25 Valley View Lane, McVeytown, PA 17051.
Howard J. Williamson
PORT ROYAL - Howard J. Williamson, 77, of Port Royal RR 2 died at 12:05 a.m. Saturday, April 12, 2003 at Locust Grove Retirement Village, Mifflin.
Born November 16, 1925 in Perulack, Juniata County, he was a son of the late Howard N. and Marie (Smith) Williamson. His wife, Julia E. (Neff) Williamson, whom he married February 5, 1948, survives.
Also surviving are two daughters , Kathleen Walters, Port Royal RR 3, and Sandra Auker, Port Royal RR 2; one son, Lonnie Williamson, Port Royal RR 2; one brother, Edward Williamson, McClure; two sisters , Beatrice Rusho, Camphill, and Dorothy Davis, Reedsville; three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one son, Ervin Williamson.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Army. He worked as a forklift operator at the American Viscose Corp., Lewistown for 30 years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
A graveside service and interment will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Westminster Presbyterian Cemetery, Mifflintown with Rev. Terry Smith officiating. There will be no viewing.
Guss Funeral Home, 20 S. Third St., Mifflintown is in charge of the arrangements.
Kenneth L. Williamson
HONEY GROVE - Kenneth L. Williamson, 75, of RR1 Honey Grove (Reeds Gap), died at 6:01 p.m. Friday at Lewistown Hospital.
Born Oct. 10, 1927, in Lack Township, Juniata County, a son of the late Enso and Viola (Hockenberry) Williamson. His wife, Gladys (Buchanan) Williamson, died Dec. 30, 2000.
Surviving are: a brother, Wilmer J. Williamson, Waterloo; a sister, Helen L. Naugle, RR1 Honey Grove; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph R. Williamson.
He was a retired PennDOT truck driver and World War II Veteran of the USAF.
His funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday from the Henry Funeral Home, Honey Grove, with Pastors Don Walters and Dennis R. Thompson, Jr., officiating. Interment will be in McCullochs Mills Cemetery.
Friends may call from noon-9 p.m. today at the funeral home, with the family present from 7-9 p.m.
Memorials may be sent to: American Cancer Society, 26 N. Brown St., Lewistown, PA 17044.
Helen L. Wilson
LEWISTOWN - Helen L. Wilson, 70, of 10 Smokehouse Lane, died at 8:41 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1, 2003, at Lewistown Hospital.
Born Aug. 18, 1933, in Milroy, she was the daughter of the late Clyde and Jenny Wilson.
She attended Grace Covenant Church.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Donald E. Baggus Funeral Home, 3813 W. Main St., Belleville, with Rev. Ronnie Neff officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Milroy.
Redda Jeane Wilson
STAFFORD, VA - Redda Jeane Wilson, 83, of 30 Meadowood Drive, Stafford, VA, formerly of Lewistown, died at 7:45 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003, at Mary Washington Hospital, Fredericksburg, VA.
Born March 1, 1919, in Milroy, she was a daughter of the late J. Guy and Piccola (McNitt) Armstrong. Her husband, James Robert Wilson, died in 1963.
Surviving are: a son, James Robert Wilson II and daughter-in-law, Linda (Liveringhouse) Wilson, Stafford, VA; two granddaughter, Beth A. Wilson, and Amy M. Escavage; two great-granddaughters, Hayley M. Escavage, and Jordan T. Escavage; and two sisters , Isabel Mann, Reedsville, and Grace Goss of Milroy.
She was preceded in death by two brothers , Robert and Gerald Armstrong.
She worked in retail sales in Lewistown at Ruhl's Clothing and Orris Jewelry Store.
Her funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Barr Funeral Home, 120 Logan St., Lewistown with Rev. Mark Brower officiating. Interment will be in Church Hill Cemetery, Reedsville.
Friends may call from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
James Albert Winegardner
REEDSVILLE - James Albert Winegardner, 66, of 58 Prince St., Reedsville, died Monday, Aug. 25, 2003, in Harrisburg.
Born Oct. 10, 1936 in Lewistown, he was the son of the late James Hobart and Marie (Miller) Winegardner. His wife, Thelma (Herbster) Winegardner, whom he married Nov. 16, 1957, survives.
Also surviving are: a daughter, Sue Ellen Buriak of Harrisburg; sons , Mark Alan Winegardner and Lee Jay Winegardner, both of Lewistown; a brother, Carl L. Winegardner of Hawaii; and three grandchildren, Holly Ann Winegardner, Sheri Dale Winegardner and James Albert Winegardner II.
He graduated from Lewistown High School in 1955 and attended Millersville University for two years. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1957-1961.
He retired from Lewistown Specialty Yarns after 35 years of service and was a member of the Mifflin County Sportsman's Association. His hobbies were hunting and fishing.
A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in Juniata Memorial Park. Friends may call at any time at the Winegardner residence.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the charity of one's choice.
Gerald R. 'Jerry' Woodring
STATE COLLEGE - Gerald R. "Jerry" Woodring, 75, of 3733 S. Atherton St., State College, and a resident of Centre Crest Nursing Home, Bellefonte for the past five years, died at 6 a.m. Friday, May 16, 2003, at the nursing home after a lengthy illness.
Born July 28, 1927, in Port Matilda, he was a son of the late Paul Gilbert and Elsie (Cowher) Woodring. His wife, Beverly D. (Hunter) Woodring, who he married Aug. 10, 1953, in Cumberland, MD, survives.
Also surviving are six children, Jerri Lu (Fred) Hartman, State College, Jeffrey Woodring, Tyrone, Penny (Jeff) Coup, Julian, C. Kay. Nearhoof, Bellefonte, Dawndra (Todd) Weston, Julian, and S. Kip Woodring, Tyrone; two sisters and a brother, Jennie Coccia, Harrisburg, Shirley Hanscom, Tyrone, and Wilmer Woodring, Port Matilda; three sisters -in-law, Ruby, Betty and Esther Woodring, all of Port Matilda; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three sisters and three brothers , Ardis Hagen, Evelyn Bracken, Dorothy Woodring, Stanley (John) Woodring, Gilbert Woodring and Paul Woodring Jr.
He attended Port Matilda schools.
He was a longtime member of the Tyrone Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, where he was a past Sunday School teacher, president and member of the board.
He was active as a Scout leader and as baseball manager for the Bald Eagle Little and Teener Leagues. He was a radio announcer for WTRN, WPHB and WKMC, and was the originator of Jerry Woodring and the Bald Eagle Ramblers music group.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
He retired in March 1990, after 12 years with Animal Medics Inc. of Manheim, and had worked for 30 years selling medical supplies for farmers.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Derman Funeral Home Inc., Tyrone, with Rev. Earl Sones officiating. Interment will follow in Blair Memorial Park, Antis Township.
Friends will be received 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, Ohio 44720; Tyrone Alliance Church, 2103 Adams Ave., Tyrone, PA 16686 or to Centre Crest Nursing Home, 502 E. Howard St., Bellefonte, PA 16823.
Veyrl Woy Jr.
HUSTONTOWN - Veyrl Woy, Jr., 58, of Hustontown, died Monday, March 17, 2003, at Harrisburg General.
Born in Everett, he is survived by his wife, Betty (Kauffman) Woy, along with: children, Kathy, Pamela, Randy, and Chuck; brothers , Jack, Robert, and Kenneth; and 13 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by sisters Helen and Betty and one grandson.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
All services will be private. Harshbarger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Cloyd A. Wray
MCCLURE - Cloyd A. Wray, 80, of 5313 Old Stage Road, McClure, died at 8:50 a.m. Saturday, May 3, 2003, at Lewistown Hospital.
Born April 2, 1923, in Decatur Township, he was a son of the late Ezra and Mabel (Laub) Wray. His wife, Isabel D. (Harmon) Wray, whom he married April 21, 1946, survives.
Also surviving are: two sons , Joseph C. Wray, McClure, and Timothy L. Wray, Milroy; a brother, Paul Wray, McClure; three sisters , Mrs. Donald (Mary) Loht, and Mrs. Ronald (Ruth) Weaver, both of McClure, and Mrs. Charles (Patsy) Napikoski, Burnham; and five grandchildren, Joseph Jr., Matthew, Bradley, Trent, and Addison Wray.
He was preceded in death by two brothers , Merril and Glen Wray and a sister, Arlene Collins.
In early life he was a self-employed farmer, later he hauled milk and lumber for 14 years. His last employment was as a partner in Wray Lumber Company, McClure, for 14 years, retiring in 1985.
He attended Paintersville Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Paintersville.
His funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Heller-Hoenstine Burnham Funeral Home, First Ave., Burnham, with Rev. George H. Mark officiating. Interment will be in Belltown Cemetery.
Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be sent to: Paintersville Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, 3195 Back Maitland Road, Lewistown, PA 17044.
Genevieve J. Yarnell
HONEY GROVE - Genevieve J. Yarnell, 72, of RR1 Honey Grove, died Sunday morning at her home.
Born Oct. 16, 1930, in Philadelphia. Her husband, Ronald L. Yarnell, survives.
There will be no public viewing. Memorial services will be held at the convenience of the family. Henry Funeral Home, Honey Grove, is in charge of arrangements.
Lucille M. Yeo
HARRISBURG - Lucille M. Yeo, of Harrisburg, died Thursday, June 5, 2003, at her residence.
Born July 20, 1928, in Mattawana, she was a daughter of the late Cloyd and Helen (Henry) Maxwell. Her husband, Robert L. Yeo, died Sept. 26, 1997.
Surviving are: a son, Steven B. Yeo, Glen Burnie, MD; two sisters , Lauretta Wilson, Lewistown and Sara Finkenbiner, Reedsville; and two grandsons, Michael and Daniel Yeo.
She was preceded in death by an infant son and two brothers .
She was a homemaker.
Her funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in Juniata Memorial Park.
Hoenstine Funeral Home, Inc., 75 Logan St., Lewistown is in charge of arrangements.
