All Obituaries

John R. Thomas, age 73, of 10 Central Avenue, Bloomsburg (Carroll Park) died peacefully at his home at 6:25 a. m. Thursday, October 29, 2020 with his daughters by his side. Born in Orangeville on July 30, 1947, he was a son of the late Harold and Margaret (Hartman) Thomas. He was a 1965 graduate of Central Columbia High School and resided in Carroll Park since July, 1985. John served his country as a member of the U. S. Army for 20 years from 1965 to 1985. He was employed by Kawneer,...

Rosemary C. (Langdon) Welliver, age 87, 49 Kings Point Lane, Bloomsburg and formerly of East Street, Bloomsburg for many years, died at her home at 12:40 a. m. Tuesday, October 27, 2020 after an illness. Born in Wilkes-Barre on April 5, 1933, she was a daughter of the late William Langdon. Rosemary resided in Bloomsburg for 70 years and was employed at the former Bloomsburg Mills, Inc., for over 20 years before retiring. She was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church,...

Mark Dennis Larson, Ph.D,  age 71, of Kulpmont, passed away on Monday, October 26, 2020 in Bloomsburg. He spent the last week of his life enjoying the care and support of his family. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa on September 6, 1949, a son of the late Henry and Jane (Applegate) Larson. Mark earned his Ph.D in Labor Relations from Ohio State University. He worked in academia for most of his career, first at Ohio State and, later, at Texas Tech, Ohio University and Bloomsburg...

Kenneth L. Kauwell, age 88, of 195 Columbia Hill Road, Danville, died at his home at 12:16 p. m. Sunday, October 25, 2020 after an illness. Born in Northumberland on December 25, 1931, he was a son of the late George D. and Ethel L. (Miller) Kauwell. He resided in Danville most of his life and was a 1950 graduate of Danville High School. Ken was employed at the former TRW plant in Danville for over 40 years, retiring in 1993. He was a member of St. Paul’s “Straubs”...

Catherine A. (Mirarchi) Swatski,  age 88, of Danville died early Friday morning, October 23, 2020 at the Grandview Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Danville where she resided for three years. Born in Kulpmont on October 10, 1932, she was a daughter of the late Anthony and Rose (Feudale) Mirarchi. She resided in Danville for over 60 years. Catherine was a homemaker for much of her life and worked part time at the Danville News for five years later in her life. A devout...

Frank A. Swartz, age 88, of 11 Dickson Avenue, Danville, died at 11:58 a. m. Monday, October 19, 2020 at the Grandview Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Danville where he resided for the past year. Born in Rush Township, Northumberland County on April 3, 1932, he was a son of the late Howard and Hazel (Pursel) Swartz. He resided in the Danville area most of his life and was a 1950 graduate of Danville High School. Frank was last employed by the U. S. Postal Service working out of the...

Bess M. (Blass) Kline, age 77, of Turner High View Road, Bloomsburg, died at the home of her son Marvin in Lightstreet at 5:03 p. m. Sunday, October 18, 2020 after an illness. Born in Pine Township, Columbia County on December 5, 1942, she was a daughter of the late John Carl and Sarah Louise (Kreppeneck) Blass.  A lifelong resident of Columbia County, she graduated from Millville High School in 1960. She went on to graduate from the Drexel Institute of Technology (now Drexel...

Alfred Leo Malkoski, Sr., age 82, 105 Reed Road, Danville, died at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville early Thursday, October 15, 2020. Born on October 21, 1937 in Kulpmont, he was a son of the late Leo A. and Genevieve (Olshefski) Malkoski. Alfred worked as a carpenter and in construction all his working life. His working career started at Cabinet Industries, Danville which helped sharpen his passion for working with wood. He worked for numerous construction companies throughout his...

Mifflin Twp. Man Loved People & Animals Jerry Richard Sheeler, age 70, of 42 Billboard Lane, Nescopeck, died at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville on October 14, 2020, after suffering a severe brain bleed two days earlier. His death severs a 45-year relationship with his wife, Linda Yohey Sheeler. They were married in the Mifflinville United Methodist Church on October 18, 1987. The son of Melvin and Alma (Silks) Sheeler, he was born in Lewistown, PA, on August 15, 1950. He attended...

  Megan B. (Lehman) Phillips, age 45, 729 R High Street, West Milton, died at 2;45 p. m. Sunday, October 11, 2020, at the Geisinger Medical Central, Danville where she was a patient. Born at Geisinger Medical Center on November 30, 1974, she was a daughter of the late Thomas G. and Pamela J. (Nutaitis) Lehman. She was a 1993 graduate of Berwick High School. She resided in the Milton area for three years and formerly lived in Muncy for 20 years. Megan was employed as a surgical...

Ruth M. (Garraway) Onisick, age 82, 112 Church Street, Catawissa, died peacefully at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville on Saturday, October 10, 2020 after a brief illness. Born in Frackville on October 30, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Helen (Wagner) Garraway. A 1956 graduate of Frackville High School and a resident of Catawissa for the past 49 years. Ruth was employed by the former Bell Telephone Co., of PA in Philadelphia early in her life. Later she was employed at the former...

Kenneth L. Dohl, age 53, of 47 Myrick St., Edwardsville, died at 8:15 p. m. Thursday, at the ManorCare Nursing Home in Kingston. Born in Wilkes Barre on Aug. 2, 1967, he was the son of Virginia (Lewis) Dohl, with whom he resided and the late Donald L. Dohl. He was a 1985 graduate of Wyoming Valley West High School. Ken was employed by T. J. Maxx Co. warehouse in Pittston Township for over 15 years. He was a computer geek and also enjoyed gardening. Surviving in addition to his mother is a...

Nancy S. (Carpenter) Kaderka, age 67, 374 E. Third St., Bloomsburg, died peacefully at 1:14 p. m. Wednesday, September 30, 2020, at her home with her family by her side,  after an illness. Born on December 15, 1952 in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada, a daughter of the late Cyril and Ann (Steele) Carpenter. She resided in Bloomsburg since 1980. Nancy was a graduate of St. John’s parochial school and received her B. A. degree from St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova...

William Lee “Bill” Heidger, age 73, formerly of Catawissa, passed away at 9:35 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, at The Gardens at Millville where he had resided for two years. Born in Bloomsburg on July 5, 1947, he was the youngest son of the late Raymond J. and Pearl (Bucher) Heidger. He was a lifelong resident of the Bloomsburg-Catawissa area and a 1965 graduate of Bloomsburg High School. Following high school Bill enlisted in the U. S. Navy and served his country during the...

Darlene E. (Cragle) Kile, age 66, of 1015 Third Street, Washingtonville, passed away at her home on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020 with her family by her bedside, after an illness. Born in Bloomsburg on February 17, 1954, she was a daughter of the late Larry E. and Elsie P. (Mordan) Cragle. She was a 1973 graduate of the Columbia-Montour Vocational Technical School and also graduated from the McCann Business School in Sunbury. Her early years were spent in Espy and she resided in the...

Laurel A. Cupparo, age 56, of 548 Mill Street, Danville, died at 12:51 a. m. Thursday, September 24, 2020 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. Born on November 2, 1963 in Camden, New Jersey, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Marie (Hans) Cupparo. Laurel is survived by her husband, Joseph Tyler, Aurora, Colorado; a son, Joseph Cupparo, III, and his wife Savannah, Coal Township; a daughter Ashley Cupparo, Camden, New Jersey; five grandchildren and a brother, Joseph Capparo,...

Leandra A. (Kotch) Lechleitner, age 75,, of Stillwater, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at 4:30 a. m. Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital where she was a patient. Born in Nanticoke on October 29, 1944, she was a daughter of the late Andrew and Adelia (Plesnevicz) Kotch. She grew up in Mocanaqua and was a 1962 graduate of the former Newport High School. Leandra was last employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections at SCI...

Robert A. “Bob” Cooke, Sr., age 82, formerly of Stony Brook Circle, Orangeville, died Saturday afternoon, Sept, 12, 2020, at Sunset Ridge Healthcare & Rehabilitation in Scott Township where he resided since June 2, 2018. Born in Canton, Mass. On June 20, 1938, he was a son of the late Harold R. and Arlene M. (Whitcomb) Cooke. He resided in the Bloomsburg area since 1969. Bob was employed by PA Dept. of Welfare as a caseworker for 15 years, retiring in 1988 due to health...

Jean P. (Ferguson) Sylvester, age 63, of 217 Adams Drive, Danville, died at her home on Saturday, September 12, 2020 after an illness. Born in West Chester on February 28, 1957, she was a daughter of the late James and Mary Ellen (Burkholder) Ferguson. She was a 1975 graduate of Coatesville Area High School. Surviving are her husband, Ronald Sylvester, Paulsboro, New Jersey; two sons: Corey Sylvester, Paulsboro, New Jersey and Eric Sylvester, and his wife Rebecca, with whom she last...

Michael V. Colletti. Age 62, of 32 E. Eighth Street, Bloomsburg, died Friday afternoon at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where he had been a patient. Born on November 15, 1957 in Hackensack, New Jersey, he was a son of the late Thomas and Gloria (Foschini) Colletti. He was a 1975 graduate of Hackensack High School. Mike lived in Bloomsburg for the past 15 years and had been employed by Howie Goldberg as a welder prior to becoming disabled. Surviving is his brother. Thomas R....

John E. Marshall, age 71, of 77 Susies Lane, Danville, died at 4:05 p. m. Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, after a courageous three year battle with leukemia. Born in Berwick on May 2, 1949, he was a son of the late Francis and Hazel (Kishbaugh) Marshall. He was a 1968 graduate of Central Columbia High School and a resident of Hemlock Township for the past 46 years. John was last employed by Penn Dot for 12 years, retiring in 2012. Earlier he was a...

Virgo Holmes Zeek, age 95, of Northumberland, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. He was also a member of the Landmark Apostolic Church in Riverside. Virgo was born on March 6, 1925 to the late John H. Zeek and Emma (Yeager) Zeek in Hummels Wharf. After losing his parents at a young age, Virgo became a resident of the Scotland School for Veterans’ Children in Scotland,...

Dawn L. (Watkins) Fleming Catawissa native, loving mother & grandmother Dawn L. (Watkins) Fleming, age 88, formerly of Millville and Elysburg, passed away peacefully at Vintage Knolls Senior Living in Danville on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020 surrounded by her daughters. Born on January 1, 1932 in Cleveland Township, Columbia County, a daughter of the late Bruce and Adda (Stewart) Watkins. She was a 1949 graduate of the former Locust Township High School Dawn was employed...

Joyce M. (Crist) Fullerton, age 61, of 747 Ridge Road, Orangeville (Jonestown) died peacefully at her home on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 after an illness. Born at the Berwick Hospital on October 9, 1958, she was a daughter of the late Clayton J. and Ethel M. (Kingston) Crist. She spent most of her lifetime in the Jonestown section of Fishingcreek Township. She attended the Benton Area School District. Joyce was a Certified Nursing Assistant, working for various agency’s in a number...

Jimmy Lee Carl. Sr., age 80, 215 Millville Road, Bloomsburg, passed away peacefully at the home of his son, Jimmy, Jr. with his family by his side at 11:39 a. m. Tuesday, September 1, 2020. Born in Bloomsburg on February 4, 1940, he was a son of the late Lewis and Helen (Hampton) Carl. He spent his life in the Bloomsburg area. Jim was employed by Robert C. Young, Inc., Paving of Mifflinville for 39 years as an equipment operator, retiring in 2006. He enjoyed fishing and spending time at his...

Brenda J. Kile, age 71, of 131 Main Street, Catawissa, died at 4 p. m. Sunday, August 30, 2020 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where she was a patient. Born in Bloomsburg on February 1, 1949, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Rhea (Leiby) Oberdorf. She spent much of her life in Catawissa and also had lived in Danville and several other locations at various times. She was a 1967 graduate of Southern Area High School. Brenda was employed at Geisinger Medical Center...

Larry D. Millard, age 80, of 122 Chrysty Hill Road, Bloomsburg, died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, August 29, 2020. Born in Bloomsburg on August 3, 1940, he was a son of the late John C. and Dorothy (Ranck) Millard. He resided in Madison Township since 1986. Larry was employed by the former Magee Carpet Co. for 34 years as a press operator, retiring in July, 2002. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was an expert gardener, growing many vegetables and other foods in his garden which...

Donna Jean Smith, age 57, of 1300 Ferry Rd., Bloomsburg, passed away at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. Born on June 1, 1963 in Bloomsburg, she was the daughter of Marlene Donna (McHenry) Hall, Bloomsburg and the late Thomas Roy Snyder. She was a 1981 graduate of Bloomsburg High School. Donna was employed by Grandview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Danville, as a CNA and  previously worked for the former Gold Star Nursing...

Jason B. Vognetz, age 96, formerly of Bloom Road, Danville, died at 2:30 a. m. Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at Brookdale Senior Living Center in Scott Township where he resided. Born in Derry Township, Montour County, on January 12, 1924, he was a son of the late Howard S. and Mary (Steinman) Vognetz. He resided in the Danville area all of his life until moving to Brookdale. He was a 1943 graduate of Danville High School. Jason was employed by the Kawneer, Corp., Bloomsburg for 25 years,...

Carla R. Moss, age 43, of 540 Everett Street, Lot 43, Benton, died unexpectedly at her home on Monday, August 24, 2020. She was born at the Bloomsburg Hospital on January 3, 1977 a daughter of Pamela (Force) Moss of Benton and the late Willard C. Moss, Sr. She was a lifelong resident of Benton and attended the Benton Schools. In addition to her mother, she is survived by two daughters: Tatum Potzer and Taylor Potzer, both of Benton, a brother Willard C. Moss, Jr., Benton and her boyfriend,...

Frederick W. “Fred” Hummel, age 78, formerly of Salem Township passed away unexpectedly on Saturday evening, August 22, 2020 at Elmcroft of Berwick where he resided since December, 2018. Born in Berwick on June 23, 1942, he was a son of the late Wilson and LaVere (Eisenhauer) Hummel. He was a lifelong resident of the Berwick area and a 1960 graduate of Berwick High School. Fred was self employed as the owner of Hummel’s Country Kitchen in Salem Township, along with his...

Martha E. (Shaffer) Sitler, age 101, 457 Savage Hill Road, Orangeville, died peacefully at her home at 4:18 a. m. Thursday, August 20, 2020. Born in Fishing Creek Township on July 7, 1919, she was a daughter of the late Oliver Hurley and Lulu M. (Umstead) Shaffer. She was a lifelong resident of Fishing Creek Township. Martha was a 1937 graduate of the former Orangeville Vocational School. She was a member of the Zion United Church of Christ and the Order of Eastern Star. In addition to...

Ina E. (Reeder) Shultz, age 83, formerly of Catawissa, died at 8:45 p. m. Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at the Emmanuel Center For Nursing in Danville. Born in Catawissa on November 2, 1936, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Elma (Leiby) Reeder. She was lifelong resident of Catawissa and a 1954 graduate of Catawissa High School. Ina was employed at the former Bon Ton Department Store in the Columbia Mall for 25 years and had also been employed at the Press Enterprise earlier. She was...

Morgan L. (Fornwald) Baker, age 31, formerly of Bloomsburg died unexpectedly on Monday, August 17, 2020 in Johnstown. Born at the Bloomsburg Hospital on March 24, 1989, she was the daughter of Rollin and Joy (Wingate) Fornwald of Bloomsburg. Morgan was a 2007 graduate of Bloomsburg High School and received her B.A. degree from Bloomsburg University in 2012. She earned her Masters degree from Penn State University. She was employed by the United States Department of Agriculture as a food...

William J. “Bill” McElroy, age 96, 4 Crooked Stick Road, Bloomsburg, passed away peacefully from natural causes on Saturday, August 15, 2020, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, surrounded by his beloved family. Born on Feb. 29, 1924 in Syracuse, New York, he was a son of the late Richard and Pauline (Berkowska) McElroy. He was a 1942 graduate of Onondaga Academy in Syracuse and earned a M.S. degree in business administration from Syracuse University in 1951 on the G.I....

Mildred B. “Bernie” Young, age 90, 713 Wall St., Danville, PA died late Friday evening, Aug. 14, 2020, at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Born in Throop on May 20, 1930, she was a daughter of the late Michael and Mildred (Matushak) Mazak. She was a 1947 graduate of Throop High School and a 1950 graduate of the Scranton State Hospital School of Nursing. Bernie resided in Danville since 1950 and was employed by Danville State Hospital for 25 years as a psychiatric nurse...

Betty M. (Diehl) Zeisloft, age 95, formerly of Red Mill Road, Bloomsburg, died at 7:20 a. m. Sunday, August 9, 2020 at Nottingham Village Nursing Center in Northumberland. Born in Danville on January 31, 1925, she was a daughter of the late Eugene and Marion (Shultz) Diehl. She was a 1944 graduate of Danville High School. Betty was employed by the former Magee Carpet Co., Bloomsburg for 25 years, retiring on September 5, 1977. She was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church,...

Grace Marie Hunsinger, age 81, of 2214 Old Berwick Rd., Bloomsburg, died at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, August 7, 2020 at her home. Born on February 18, 1939 in Washington, PA,, she was the daughter of the late Isaiah and Dorothy (Trader) Loar. Grace worked as a packer for the former Ber-Con Manufacturing Company, Berwick, for 28 years. Surviving are four children: Daniel Hunsinger, Bloomsburg, Donna Addison, and her husband Martin, Bloomsburg, Penny, wife of Curtis Hess, Mt. Carmel, and Beth...

Richard C. “Dick” Hess, age 84, 29 Hedge Road, Bloomsburg, died at 11:20 a. m. on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Born in Kingston on April 11, 1936, he was a son of the late Carleton C. and Helen (Runyan) Hess. His early life was spent in Jonestown and much of his adult life he was in the Bloomsburg area. Dick was a mechanic by trade working at J&B Honda and Speed and Sport.  He was last employed part-time by Chip Adams Sewer and...

Asher John Powell, age 54, of 25 Duke of Gloucester St., Hemlock Twp., at his home at 3:03 p.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2020. Born on October 4, 1965 in Kingston, he was the son of Ruth (Bump) Powell of Nesquehoning and the late Richard Asher Powell. He was a 1983 graduate of Crestwood High School. Asher resided in Buckhorn for the past nine years and was formerly of Mountaintop. In 1986, Asher graduated Penn State University with an Associate’s degree in Biomedical Engineering...

Paul L. Thomas, II, age 80, of 101 Nottingham Lane, Bloomsburg, died at 12:27 p.m., Friday, July 31, 2020 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, surrounded by his loving wife and children. Born in Bloomsburg on August 19, 1939, he was a son of the late Paul L. Sr. and Dorothy (Sorber) Thomas. He attended the Scott Township schools and later attended a trade school in Williamsport. Paul was employed as a truck driver for the former Friedman Express and later for Yellow Freight, retiring...

Monica L. Diltz, age 62, 15 Kingsbury Drive, Benton (Central) died unexpectedly on Thursday, July 30, 2020,  while helping to clean St. Gabriel’s Church in Sugarloaf Township. Born at the Bloomsburg Hospital on October 20, 1957, she was a daughter of the late John I. “Koon” and Ramona E. (McHenry) Diltz. She was a lifelong resident of Sugarloaf Township and a 1975 graduate of Benton High School. Monica was employed as the manager of the Brass Pelican Restaurant in...

Shirley Mae Parks, age 63, of 2711 Columbia Avenue, Bloomsburg, died early Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at the Bloomsburg Care and Rehabilitation Center, Bloomsburg, where she was a patient. Born in Erie on December 15, 1956, she was a daughter of the late Theodore and Laura (Carper) Parks. She resided in Bloomsburg for much of her lifetime. Shirley was last employed at Thompson Mailing in Bloomsburg and previously she was employed in several local garment factories as a seamstress. She...

Ruth Mae (Snyder) Cotner, age 93, of 606 Valley Road, Danville (Grovania) died Sunday afternoon, July 26, 2020, at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville where she was a patient. Born in Cleveland Township, Columbia County on November 13, 1926, she was a daughter of the late Amos V. and Froney A. (Johnson) Snyder. She resided in Grovania since 1946. Ruth worked as a waitress in several Area restaurants early in her life and later she was employed at the former Emenee Shirt Factory,...

Stacy T. Frye, age 51, of 112 Hawk Ridge Road, Bloomsburg, died Sunday, July 19, 2020, in the emergency room of the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where he was taken after being stricken at his home. Born in Knoxville, Tenn. On October 3, 1968, he was a son of the late Robert E. and Charlotte (McConkey) Frye. His early life was spent in Madisonville, Tenn. and he resided in Bloomsburg for 17 years. Stacy was a 1986 graduate of Madisonville High School and also attended college in...

Bryan D. “Melissa” Farver, age 26, 433 N. Graham St., Pittsburgh, died at her home on Sunday, July 19, 2020. Born at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, on October 8, 1993, she was the daughter of Sarah Hayes, Bloomsburg and Preston Farver, Orangeville. She was a 2012 graduate of Central Columbia High School and attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Melissa resided in Pittsburgh for the past six years and was employed at Brillobos Bar & Restaurant as a dishwasher and...

  Morris E. Gensel, age 81, 229 Scott Avenue, Bloomsburg, died at his home on Sunday, July 19, 2020 after an illness. Born in Shickshinny on April 28, 1939, he was the son of the late Ezra M. and Adella (Kadtke) Gensel. He resided in the Bloomsburg/Catawissa area for many years. Morris was last employed at ShoTex Logistics, Berwick and previously for many years at the former Lady Ester Lingerie Co., Berwick.  He loved to play bingo and attend carnivals and earlier in his life,...

Samuel S. Williams, Sr., Age 77, of 193 Welliver Road, Danville, died on Friday, July 17, 2020, at Manor Care in Sunbury where he was a patient since August, 2017. Born in Sunbury on Dec. 31, 1942, he was a son of the late Alvin S. and Mildred (Shultz) Williams. He resided in Danville for many years. Sam was employed by Weis Markets, Inc., Sunbury as a truck driver for 32 years, retiring on disability in May, 1996. He was a member of the Washingtonville Lutheran Church and of the...

Paul E. Derr, age 98, formerly of Derr's Road, Bloomsburg, died at 11 a. m. Thursday, July 16, 2020, at Vintage Knolls Senior Living Center in Danville. Born on September 8, 1921 in Hemlock Township, he was a son of the late Clarence E. and Hazel (Brobst) Derr. He was a lifelong resident of Hemlock Township. Paul was employed by Danville State Hospital for 19 years where his last position was serving as a vocational instructor. He also was a dairy farmer for many years. He...

Caroll J. (Moneyhan) Pinto, age 74, 2558 Old Berwick Road, Bloomsburg (Espy) died peacefully early Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where she was admitted Monday. Born in Watsontown on June 21, 1946, she was a daughter of the late Tolore and Elna (Bergman) Moneyhan. She was a 1964 graduate of Warrior Run High School and a resident of Bloomsburg since 1973. Caroll was co-owner of the former JP’s Cold Cuts in Espy from 1973 to 2018. She...