Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Keemer A. Watts
THOMPSONTOWN - Keemer A. Watts, Jr., 89, of R.R. #1 Thompsontown (Glendale), died at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 17, 2003 at the Carlisle Regional Medical Center.
Born Oct. 16, 1914 in Fayette Township, Juniata County, he was a son of the late Keemer and Emily Rebecca (Carwell) Watts, Sr. His wife, Geneva M. (Meredith) Watts, preceded him in death on May 22, 1988.
Surviving is a daughter, Mary Gabbard and husband Roger, R.R. #1 Thompsontown; a son, Larry E. Watts and wife Helen, New Oxford; two step- daughters , Thelma Cupp, R.R. #1, Thompsontown and Shirley Eichman, Thompsontown; two brothers , William R. Watts, Sr., and Lloyd Watts, both of McAlisterville; one sister, Winifred Flickinger, McAlisterville; four grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; and many step-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two stepchildren, Lester C. Haines, Jr., Harold M. "Jiggs" Haines; two brothers , Wesley Watts, Clair "Ted" Watts; and three sisters , Mary Watts, Harriet Watts and Margaret Newcomer.
He was a self-employed farmer all of his life and later, during retirement, he worked as a machinery assemblyman for Leister Bros. International Harvester, McAlisterville. He also served as curator of the Maze Cemetery for 30 years.
He was a member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church, East Salem and enjoyed spending time in his woodshop creating heirlooms for family and friends.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday from the McAlisterville Chapel of Brown Funeral Home, Inc., 16 Westfall St., McAlisterville, with the Rev. Allen Hulslander officiating. Interment will follow in the Maze Cemetery, R.R. #1, Thompsontown.
Friends may call 4-9 p.m. Thursday with the family present 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Maze Cemetery Association, c/o Sharon Nipple, Treasurer, R.R. #1 Box 51, Thompsontown, PA 17094.
Donna Anders Facynic
MECHANICSBURG - Donna Anders Facynic, 90, of Country Meadows, Mechanicsburg, formerly of Custom Drive, Susquehanna Township, passed away Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, at Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill.
Born May 4, 1913, in Mifflin, she was the daughter of the late Charles F. and Bertha C. Donahey Anders. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rudolph Facynic on Aug. 22, 1998.
Surviving are: two nieces, Donna B. Bohn, wife of Wayne E. Bohn, Camp hill, who were her caregivers for the last five years, and Jane A. Kapsa, Stow, OH; two nephews, Jack E. Boyer and his wife Mary Ann Zeak Boyer of New Cumberland; one niece-in-law, Rosalie Owens Boyer who is the wife of her late nephew, Barry M. Boyer; her husband’s nephews and nieces, Dr. Tedd Zerbe of Southern New Jersey, Michael Sass husband of Pat Sass of Harrisburg, Nicolas Paul Kuzovich of Renton, WA, Marianne Melleby wife of Ron Melleby of Mt. Joy, Paula Daniels wife of Harold Daniels of Natick, MA, Patricia Nauditt of Renton, WA, and KiKi Kuzovich of Lafayette Hill; two sisters -in-law, Helen Sass wife of George Sass of Wiconisco, and Anne F. Zerbe wife of Hank Zerbe of Bernville, and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Along with her parents, husband and nephew, she was preceded in death by her sisters , Isabelle Anders Boyer Kirkwood, on Jan. 17, 1988, and her beloved cat, Sneakers.
She was a graduate of the former Port Royal High School. She was a supervisor for 49 years for the PA Department of Labor and Industry Unemployment Compensation Division. She was a Charter Member of the Tree of Life Lutheran Church, Susquehanna Township, where she was an active volunteer.
Donna truly loved her family and her church. She also loved cats, enjoyed going to sales, and was an avid antique collector who enjoyed collecting blown glass, colored glass, wrought iron objects and toys. In her younger years, she enjoyed boating and canoeing on the Susquehanna River.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Tree of Life Lutheran Church, Susquehanna Township, with Rev. Richard B. Geib, her pastor, officiating. Interment will be at the convenience of the family in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, East Hanover Township. Friends will be received following the service.
Trefz and Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 W. Main St., Hummelstown is handling the arrangements.
Those desiring may send memorial contributions to the Tree of Life Lutheran Church, 1492 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or to Hospice of Central PA, 98 S. Enola Drive, P.O. Box 266, Enola, PA 17025.
Sylvia P. McMeen
ORLEANS, MA - Sylvia P. McMeen of Orleans, MA died on November 17, 2003 at the age of 94.
The eldest of three children of the late Mr. and Mrs. E.T. Pratt of Bridgewater, MA, she graduated from Bridgewater Normal School in l927 and began her teaching career in Halifax, MA at the age of 18.
She met her husband, James N. McMeen when he was working in Boston, MA and they married in l934. After living in Cambridge, MA for several years, they moved to her husband's hometown of Lewistown, where he joined his Father in business, initially McMeen's Department Store and subsequently, Hugh B. McMeen & Son, Inc.
Mrs. McMeen lived in Lewistown for the remainder of her married life and in addition to teaching for many years, she was very active with the Lewistown Presbyterian Church and various civic organizations. When she retired from teaching in the public school system at the age of 65, she continued to teach for three more years at the Sacred Heart Parochial School.
After her husband died in l986, Mrs. McMeen traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, Iceland and Russia with friends. She always said she never wanted to have an expired passport. In l989 Mrs. McMeen moved from Pennsylvania to South Orleans, MA where she lived until moving into the Orleans Retirement and Convalescent Home in 2001. She traveled with her daughter and son-in-law to France and Italy and spent time many winters in Anguilla, British West Indies, the last time in 2001 when she celebrated her 92nd birthday there.
While living in Orleans, MA, Mrs. McMeen was involved with the Unitarian Universalist Church in Brewster, MA as well as the Council on Aging in Orleans, MA. She drove for FISH, loved to bake and played bridge weekly.
Mrs. McMeen is survived by her daughter, Sylvia McMeen, and son-in-law, Stephen A. Hopkins of Orleans, MA. her sister, Marion P. Giamperoli of Bridgewater, MA and nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is planned for early June, 2004. Expressions of remembrance may be made in her name to a charity of choice.
Dr. William E. Henry
LEWISTOWN - Dr. William E. Henry, 77, of 816 Electric Ave., Lewistown, died at 1:20 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003 at Lewistown Hospital.
Born June 8, 1926 in Lewistown, he was a son of the late Eugene and Sarah (Jackson) Henry. His wife, Jo Ann (Foucart) Henry, whom he married in 1950, survives.
Surviving are children W. Michael, Donald E. and Stephen L. Henry, all of Lewistown and J. Daniel Henry, Burnham; siblings Marion Hamilton, Chambersburg and James L. Henry, Churchville; and eight grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Pacini.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He was a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Optometry.
He was an optometrist in Lewistown for 47 years.
He was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, the Lewistown Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow, the Knights of Columbus, Elks #663, Lewistown Country Club and Director of Russell and Omega Bank and Omega Financial Corp.
A private service will be held at Barr Funeral Home, Inc., 120 Logan St., Lewistown, with Fr. John B. Bateman officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Rock Cemetery.
There will be no public viewing.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the organization of the donor's choice.
Robert E. Grassmyer, Sr.
MCVEYTOWN — Robert E. Grassmyer, Sr., 75, of Old State Road, McVeytown, died at 1:48 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, 2003 at Lewistown Hospital.
Born April 12, 1928 in Oliver Township, he was a son of the late Herbert W. and Mary E. (Conner) Grassmyer. His wife, Susan E. “Betty” (Rupert) Grassmyer, whom he married on April 2, 1945, survives.
Also surviving are children Mrs. Larry (Susan C.) Harshbarger, Mrs. Melvin (Bobbie) Hesser, Sr., Mrs. Russell (Mary Lou) Sunderland, all of McVeytown and Robert E. Grassmyer, Jr., and wife Pamela, Milroy; siblings C. Leon Grassmyer, McVeytown, Mrs. Darl (Velma) Pecht, Lewistown and Gerald Grassmyer, Mattawana; grandchildren Sonia Robins, Holly Fultz, Marci Rhoades, Melissa Sunderland, Rusty Sunderland, Amanda Grassmyer, Mel Hesser, Jr., Norm Hesser and Ashley Grassmyer; and great-grandchildren Jordan, Josh, Dani, Mitchel, Jacob, Max and Cassidey.
He attended Mattawana Elementary School and McVeytown-Oliver High School.
A WWII veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served aboard the U.S.S. Tennessee during the Okinawa Campaign in the Pacific Theatre.
He retired on disability from Standard Steel, Burnham, after 35 years of service in the wheel mill.
He was a member of the McVeytown Presbyterian Church and Elks Lodge #663, Lewistown. He was also a past member of the McVeytown Borough Council, having served as president for 20 years.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Harshbarger Funeral Home, 3 South Market St., McVeytown, with the Rev. Jeanette Mater officiating. Interment will be in Mattawana Cemetery, McVeytown.
Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to McVeytown Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 323, McVeytown, PA 17051.
Betty L. Poust
BELLEVILLE — Betty L. Poust, 79, of Valley View Haven, Belleville and formerly of 575 Johnson Road, Pennsylvania Furnace, died at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, March 13, 2005 at the nursing home.
Born Sept. 19, 1925, in Altoona, she was a daughter of the late Catherine Nebgen. Her husband, William R. Poust, preceded her in death Aug. 16, 1998.
She is survived by children, Mrs. Elmer (Joan) Spencer, of Omaha, Neb., William K. Poust, of Berlin, Md., Mrs. Robert (Patricia) Rabenstein, of Altoona, Richard L. Carpenter, of Port Matilda, and Wayne R. Poust, of New Bloomfield; sister, Dorothy Griffin, of Alexandria, Pa.; 14 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.
She was employed in housekeeping for nine years at Penn State University and as a kitchen helper for six years in the State College School District.
She was a member of Upper Spruce Creek Presbyterian Church, Pennsylvania Furnace and a member of the Rebecca’s, and Pennsylvania Furnace Grange 1991.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, at Upper Spruce Creek Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Ted Plott officiating. Interment will be in Graysville Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Upper Spruce Creek Presbyterian Church, c/o Edward Newlin, Treasurer, 2620 Spruce Creek Road, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA 16865 or Valley View Haven, 4702 E. Main St., Belleville, PA 17004.
Arrangements are under the direction of Hoenstine Funeral Home, Inc., 75 Logan St., Lewistown.
Mary Anne Ficarra
BELLEFONTE — Mary Anne Ficarra, 92, of 409 W. High St., Bellefonte, died at 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, 2003, at her residence.
Born Jan. 18, 1911 in Waterbury, CT, she was a daughter of the late Angelo and Josephine (Beradis) Damicantonio. Her husband, Anthony Ficarra A. Shoemaker, whom she married on June 2, 1934 in Lewistown, preceded her in death on Nov. 24, 1988.
She is survived by children Elizabeth L. Grube, Millersville and Anthony J. Ficarra, State College; brothers Anthony and Dominic Damicantonio, both of Reedsville; grandchildren Lyn Weil, Ithaca, NY and Gary R. Grube, Lemont; two great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
She attended Milroy High School and was a member of St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church, Bellefonte.
She enjoyed sewing and crocheting.
She was a seamstress and homemaker.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church in Bellefonte with Fr. Neil R. Dadey officiating. Interment will be in St. John’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Bellefonte.
Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Wetzler Funeral Home in Bellefonte. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 8 p.m.
Karen Grove
SPRING MILLS — Karen Grove, 37, of Rural Spring Mills, died Sunday, Nov. 27, 2003 at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.
Born Dec. 26 in Neptune, New Jersey, she was a daughter of Charles Grove and Donna Morris, who survive.
She is also survived by three children, Randi, Jeremy and Kayla; a sister, Patricia Koontz; and a host of friends.
Karen worked in food and beverage service and retail sales and was widely known for her upbeat friendliness.
She especially enjoyed the outdoors, and was known for her laughter and her ability to make others laugh.
Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral Service, 226 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Centre Hall, PA. Private funeral services and burial will be held at the convenience of family and friends.
Irma Marguerite Schulz
CANTON, Mich. — Irma Marguerite Schulz, 74, of Canton, Mich., died Friday, March 25, 2005, in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Born March 2, 1931, in Milroy, she is survived by five sons , Eugene Jr., Larry, Randy, Keith and Jeff; two daughters , Vicki Bennett and LaRita Bearden; four brothers , Glenn, Ken, Norman and Curtis Wert; two sisters , Sarah Scyoc and Victoria Thompson.
Funeral services were Wednesday. Arrangements by David C. Brown Funeral Home, Belleville, Mich.
Betty L. Aughey
LITITZ, Pa. — Betty L. Aughey, 77, of 829 Pine Hill Road, Lititz, passed away at Lancaster General Hospital Thursday, March 3l, 2005, following a brief illness.
Born in Port Royal, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Maude (McVey) Wert. Her husband of 56 years, Lester B. Aughey, of Lititz, survives.
Also surviving are children, Jeffrey L. Aughey, and wife, Linda, of Lititz, and Pamela E. Showers, and husband, Marcus, of Lancaster; siblings, Marlin Wert, and wife, Miriam, of Port Royal, Mary Grose, and husband, John, of Lititz, Gladys Heister, and husband Guy, of Mifflin, Jessie Graybill, of Lancaster, and Dorothy McFadden, and husband, Neil, of Texas ; three grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
She was preceded in death by brother, William Wert.
She was a member of Brunnerville United Methodist Church.
Her funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, at the Richard H. Heisey Funeral Home, 216 S. Broad St., Lititz, with the Rev. Fred R. Landis officiating. Interment will be in Brunnerville United Methodist Cemetery. Her viewing will be one hour prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be made, in her memory, to Brunnerville United Methodist Church, 517 Pine Hill Rd.,Lititz, PA 17543.